[the jiggler]

One thing I have found that has been really helpful is to smoke new sticks blind. Buy ten singles that you want to try and then have someone else pick one out of your humidor and remove the label before they give it to you. Smoke it and see what you think. A buddy of mine (Scorched) and I traded ten cigars and we get together once a week or so and he brings me one of mine without the label and give him one of his without the label and we smoke them together, rate them and then give each other the label. It's been very interesting as I am swayed way more by name and label appearance than I thought I was. After about a week I had forgotten what I had given him so the surprise is that much better. I know you said you dont have buddies who smoke but maybe one of them can help you out. Either that or buy 'em some Kuba Kuba Maduros and get em hooked!