Since A Cigar Smoker and Tiki Bar Online have both made excellent points about posting their methods for review, I figured I’d do the same. For me, it’s a bit harder, since I don’t have an empirical system (IE, I don’t use a numerical scale.) I think it’s important to explain that I don’t use numbers simply because I don’t believe them. This is most easily explained by way of an example: Let’s say had an opportunity to smoke either a Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic, or a Rocky Patel Decade. To me, these cigars both carry very different flavor profiles; the Cuban Classic is a pepper bomb with leathery characteristics, while the Decade is creamy, nutty, with chocolate and espresso. Totally different flavor profiles, but sometimes I’ll prefer one over the other. Beyond that, taste is very subjective. I would prefer to share my experience, and then leave it to you to go ahead and try it from there. Alright, so, here is the method, described to the best of my abilities. Questions raised about it (or additional information sought) will be added here, as it’s pointed out.
Cigar Selection: Cigar’s are selected semi-randomly. It’s whatever I’m in the mood for that day. I generally stick to new and exciting releases, so those will come up more often than not. It is also important to note that I generally will not review a cigar I expect to dislike and that others have disliked unless I’m asked to do so. A request is generally never denied.
Number of Cigars Smoked: This is a big one for most people, and I need to lean toward smoking more than one. Three, if possible more. I will, however, smoke only one if price permits only one, or if I’m sent a single sample. I will try to note that the review is derived from a single cigar, but I forget a lot.
Photos: I take photos. I do it when I feel it would benefit the review, either by adding a beautiful picture, or pointing out something interesting, like a gorgeous sheen on a wrapper, or a crack in the cap. I will try to not shoot deceptive photos that make the shape seem strange or the burn seem more even or less even.
Information Inclusion: I figured this is the best way to word my “score” since I don’t give scores, I just write my thoughts, feelings, and observations. I will include everything I notice in a cigar, and will never omit the good, the bad, or the ugly. I think that every review that I do, should come with an asterisk that says that you still need to try it for yourself. Everyone should! Even an empirical review scale is an opinion, when it comes to flavor. Just a note.
Disclosure: If I receive samples from a company or individual, I will always note that they were sent to me. I do this out of honesty, and because it’s a shout-out to the generosity of that individual or company. I will not give a cigar a better review because somebody gave it to me; I try to keep the MSRP in mind, and will perform the standard review in these cases the same as I would with cigars I obtained myself.
If you think I missed something, or would like clarification, please email me at ubicigar@gmail.com and I’ll address your email ASAP. Thank you!
