How I Rate Cigars

[Python]

I don't get caught up in all of the cigar magazine reviews and ratings of cigars, so I figured that I would post how I rate them for myself.
When I rate cigars I use the following order of importance.

1) Flavor - This is the most important factor for me. If it doesn't taste good I could give a crap about how it looks and burns.

2) Construction - I really hate it if the wrapper unravels and has a really bad draw.

3) Burn - It is always nice to have a good burn to make the smoke more enjoyable, but I will deal with having to touch up a stick if it taste really good.

4) Cost – I take cost into account to determine if I think a cigar is worth the price. If it is a cigar that I like I also use cost to figure out if it will be a frequent smoke or a once in a while smoke.

5) Appearance - I don't place a lot of weight on the appearance. If it taste good, stays together, and burns well (or sometimes not so well) I could care less what it looks like for the most part. It is all going to be turned into ash anyway.

[KevinG]

Sounds like a real good down to earth line of thinking.

What about essence of Madagascar vanilla? Does that hold any weight?

[Python]

Originally Posted by KevinG

What about essence of Madagascar vanilla? Does that hold any weight?

It does, but I don't like telling people which sticks have it. That way I can keep them all to myself.

[JAX]

Originally Posted by Python

It does, but I don't like telling people which sticks have it. That way I can keep them all to myself.

This coming from the guy who smokes a CAO Elleen's dream on his way to work while sipping on his frapo-something or another.

Just kidding bro - I like your approach to rating a cigar. My personal one isn't much differant....Flavor is the most important element to me

When I do the blind tests though for this site I try to stich with the rating system posted somewhere in one of the stickies. Just to keep it "fair and balanced".

[KevinG]

Originally Posted by JAX

This coming from the guy who smokes a CAO Elleen's dream on his way to work while sipping on his frapo-something or another.

LMAO!

[Python]

Originally Posted by KevinG

LMAO!

What can I say, I sometimes like a flavored stick . Although I don't really care for them too much anymore, I still occasionally smoke a Kalua or a Java. I have come to a point that if I want some tobacco with a little flavor on it I will smoke one of my pipes.
There is nothing wrong with a flavored cigar, but I am really starting to enjoy the taste of good unadulterated cigars. I don't want "flavors" to mask that taste.

[olsaltybastard]

I like your system Python!! I am not a super-taster, so I can't comment on Madagascar Vanilla or how it tastes in a Starbucks Mocha Frappuchinno (I'll take Kevin's word that it is to die for.) To me, flavor is the biggest reason to smoke a cigar. All the other things enhance the enjoyment, but flavor is key.

[Cycleman]

Originally Posted by olsaltybastard

how it tastes in a Starbucks Mocha Frappuchinno (.

I LUV THOSE!!!!!!!!! with a double shot of mocha and coffee......

[olsaltybastard]

Originally Posted by Cycleman

I LUV THOSE!!!!!!!!! with a double shot of mocha and coffee......

I'm afraid to try one for fear that I might like it. Mocha frappuchinno, cigar candles, next thing you know, I'm eating quiche.

[KevinG]

Originally Posted by olsaltybastard

next thing you know, I'm eating quiche.

LOL! I have a recipe for that!

[Madmike]

Originally Posted by KevinG

LOL! I have a recipe for that!

METRO ALERT!!!

[lazylightningNY-cr]

Originally Posted by Python

I still occasionally smoke a Kalua or a Java.

how are those kalua's? i saw them on a web site somewhere. i'm not a fan of flavored cigars, either, because i feel that they are used to hide the flavor of an inferior smoke, but i was interested in those hawaiians.

i like your rating system. the taste thing is the hardest to get hold of. the other categories are pretty objective and a little easier to quantify.

by the way, i'm getting dive bombed by a squadron of june bugs as i write this.

[CRider]

I don't like flavored cigars...but the kalua's are actually sorta tasty in a different way. Not annoying like most flavored cigars are. I had a Acid Kuba Kuba tonight on a whim...I was trimmin some hedges and figured what the heck. Didn't care for that one a bit..left too much sugary stuff on my lips and I just found it annoying.

[Python]

Originally Posted by lazylightningNY

how are those kalua's?

I like them and think they are worth a try, but if you want to try one you better hurry, they don't make them anymore. When they're gone they're gone.

Originally Posted by lazylightningNY

by the way, i'm getting dive bombed by a squadron of june bugs as i write this.

[andrew_will1]

Interesting method of rating cigars....simple yet effective. Thanks for the post Bob!!! I'm considering starting a "cigar scrapbook" in which I will glue in the bands of the cigars I smoke along with what I thought about the smoke. I think I'll use a rating format similar to what you have here.