Cigar Reviewing Suggestions

[Papichulo]

Hello fellow monkeys! I want to start a thread on taking notes or not and reviewing cigars you endulge in. I smoke 2-3 smokes per day and have notes on most of them. I personally need to take notes so I know what my favorites and dogs are. Additionally, through experience and test driving sticks I can make solid recommendations to my friends/Gorillas on what cigars might be better suited for them. Some things that we discuss here on the website is basic and advanced knowledge; perhaps, a "cigar" language that we all speak and learn on a day-to-day basis through forum review and contribution. We look at such things as seed, origin, filler (long, short and mixed), wrapper, sun and shade grown, shape, manufacturer, length, ring gauge, body (mild, medium and full), and many other attributes that make up a cigar. Based on that we develop our pallets and share the love of cigars to exchange our experiences. Most of us diehards have our methods in taking notes and or reviewing each and every stick or line. I highly recommend cigar lovers who do not take notes/reviews to consider getting their thoughts on paper or in a forum or review database. What works for me may not work for everybody. Since I am a newbie I found this website forces me to make/write a more thorough review to meet the expectations of the Gorillas. Prior to and currently, I have utilized the Top25Cigar database for quite some time for shorter and less detailed reviews. There are other cigar databases that do the same, but I am happy with Top25Cigar. Some cigar lovers, just pull up a chair and take pencil notes on a note pad. All of the aforementioned will work depending on what makes you comfortable.

The moral of this thread, take your time and enjoy your smoke and take a few notes so they can enhance your cigar experience. I do not know it all when it comes to cigars and just wanted to share with you what works best for me.

For the record and with my extensive cigar experience as a connoisseur and vendor (Several years ago) I have learned something everyday from this website.

Fellow Gorillas please share your thoughts and processes. What works for you and what does not, etc.

Cheers

[tazziedevil]

I usually jot a few notes down after I've finished the smoke, and I try not to overthink them too much. I like to figure WHY I like them, or WHY I doidn't really like them. I make sure to note the conditions(rainy, windy, muggy, etc.) and and compare noted from the same smokes AFTER I finish-as not to bias my thinking before I start.

Just my 2c.

[xxwaldoxx]

The first thing I do is grab a notepad and pen and start jotting down all the pre light information, such as Wrapper color, Texture, Pinch Test Results, How it clipped/cut, pre light draw, ext.

Next I break the sheet down into 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 and take notes accordingly. I note any flavor changes, burn problems, consistency, etc.

Once all that information is compiled I sit down and write a formal review. I put that review in a notebook and save it for future reference. As I smoke more of the same cigar, I like to go back and compare to see that my notes are on target with what I am experiencing with the current cigar.

[ikwanjin]

Good suggestions..