Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

Guys, I've been smoking cigars for a little over three years, just this year my wife bought me a one year subscription to CA. I read the reviews, and on occasion I have made a purchase on their review. So far I like their reviews, and the cigars I've tried from them. In all honesty I probably won't renew, the articles are pretty lame, and after twelve issues I'll have quite a few new cigars to sample from their reviews.

One more thing, I live out in BFE, there are no B&M's within a several hour drive so I rarely go to any. The cigars info I get is from Internet forums like this one, and from print like CA. I've garnered a few things from them, but not enough to renew.:2

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

I really don't really put much stock into their reviews BUT, I will be honest and tell you that I have really enjoyed just about every 90+ rated cigar I tried that they reviewed. 99% being Cubans.

I'm just going to chalk that up to coincidence.

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

There magazine nice to touch and hit fly's with :D

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

I think Cigar Aficionado is a great magazine. They've been advocates for cigar smoking and have done a lot to improve the image of cigars in the average person's perceptions. I think their system is fine since it's based upon general wine rating systems. There palates are different from mine but they do a nice package and create a decent Men's magazine. The fact that the cars and watches are unaffordable is not much different from Road and Track that put out great track car reviews but I'll never be able to drive one. It's a magazine, supports it's sponsors but at least does blind reviews in a published system.

I don't have a single source for my cigar opinions. I use a few websites, here, CA, friends, B&M's, whatever. I like to try new cigars but I definitely have my main stays.

I'm not sure why people get so fired up over CA? It's like saying Car and Driver SUCKs because they just have European cars in their reviews or Road and Track sucks because they blow Ford Mustang exhaust pipes so much their lips are burnt. They have their preferences just like all people do. It's just entertainment. Relax, smoke a cigar, read the reviews, enjoy, snag a brew and puff away.

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

I don't think people are saying that Cigar Aficianado magazine sucks, just that their reviews often do.

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

You missed a great opportunity to ask him how kept the wrappers from exploding after the cap was cut. :r

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

zero....IMO all based on $$$$

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

That's what I do too.. now if I only knew what my tastes are... I might be more successful in finding reviews to take stock in !

Re: How much stock do you really put into the CA reviews and top 25?
 

So true :) Everyone is an expert these days, that kinda makes the honest folks feel foolish.