Cigar ratings etc

[cls515]

nOOb alert

Having fallen into the "Never seen a sampler I could resist" camp I find myself awash in "alleged" quality sticks. Frankly, it appears I could exist for an interminable time simply by falling for the daily "deals" and the last chance offers at check-out.... Currently frantically looking for an ice chest to store the recent "deals", should be able to make a down-payment ton a yacht with all the money I've saved ...

Ratings appear to be highly weighted toward the mechanics: appearance, construction, lighting, burning, draw. Frankly, it seems appearance and construction are only important wrt the delivery of the smoke (draw, volume,density) I definitely agree that a good draw and even burning is a necessary condition for an enjoyable smoke, and a deficiency in that area is destined for the trash immediately.

OK - given a pleasant draw, i.e smoke delivery system. What now? Smoke does not appear to fire my taste buds (no chocolate, onion and strawberry with hints of rotting Brussels sprouts ... perhaps a good thing, now that I think about it ) I will occasionally detect a hotter (spicier?) effect toward the end, likely because of concentration of tars & nicotine? Mild, medium, bold have no reference point for me and web descriptions don't seem to help.

Any suggestions how to proceed? Perhaps I need to switch to Roy-Tans instead of arranging financing for a Gurkha's His Majesties Reserve?

Cheers,

Rusty

I don't grade based on construction or appearance, if the cigar has a bad draw I won't give it a review becase the bad draw detracts from the cigar experience. Generally if I grade the cigar 90 or better, an A, it is a cigar that I really like and would smoke again. A B grade is not that good in my opinion, but wouldn't talk much bad about it. 95 is top of the line, A+ is reserved for out of body experiences. I wouldn't rate a cigar line so low based on one plugged cigar when the other 24 from the box are smoking excellent. Anyways, when I review, I just try to be unbiased and present as I perceived, such as the character and flavor profile of the cigar, and how it changes. You won't be able to discern flavors unless you bring the smoke into your nasal cavity by exhaling through your nose. Some of the cheaper cigars will be harsh and exhaling nasally will burn, but at the same time those cheaper cigars are generally not as complex so you're not missing much...Good practice developing a pallate though. Strength like in mild, medium, and full body are generally descriptive terms regarding the power of a cigar, not necessarily the tar or heat. Mild is just that, mild, while a fuller bodied cigar can make your nose tickle and eyes water.