Cigar Reviews and Prices

[tsolomon]

A cigar is either good or it's not. The price may be an issue for some and can either add or substract from your enjoyment, but it doesn't change the way the cigar smokes or tastes.

[MajorCaptSilly]

Just to keep it simple: I know people who won't pay more than $5.00 for a cigar no matter how good it is. $5.00 is the most they will ever spend on a cigar. If they are reading a review, they will skim to the price. If it is $5.00 or less, they will read the review as it is smomething they may want to try. If it is more than $5.00, they will not read the review as it is more costly than their spending limit.

MCS

[d'am]

I want to know how the cigars scored both of price, but I also want to know how the cigar scores when compared to similarly priced sticks.

Like many here have said, prices can change drastically. If you score a cigar based on price, will you update your score when the price changes? No. So price can't be a part of an accurate rating.

On the flip side, if the reviewer ignores the price and rates all cigars from an equal footing, my favorite $3 sticks would get an abysmal ratings. So yes, price has to come in to the equation somewhere.

There's a fine line here, and some reviewers do a better job than others.

[Brooks W]

Originally Posted by d'am

On the flip side, if the reviewer ignores the price and rates all cigars from an equal footing, my favorite $3 sticks would get an abysmal ratings. So yes, price has to come in to the equation somewhere.

Why? If a cigar tastes like crap, but costs $3, are you really thinking to yourself as you smoke it "Wow, this is crappy, but at least it was only $3"?

If a cigar tastes like crap, it does not matter how little (or how much) it costs, it still tastes like crap. Anything else is just justification of some sort.

I have tasted some great $2 cigars (like the newish Origen Original) and I have smoked some absolute Craptastic $750 cigars (see my review of the HMR for details).

There MUST be a baseline in any review, and taste (or flavor if you prefer) is the ultimate qualifier...

~brooks

[d'am]

Originally Posted by Brooks W

There MUST be a baseline in any review, and taste (or flavor if you prefer) is the ultimate qualifier...

~brooks

I agree that taste is the ultimate qualifier, but it can't be the only qualifier. What if someone reviews a $5 and $10 stick, and rates them both "90" without regard to price? That's fine, but I would be more interested in the $5 stick. I'm not saying that the price should influence the score, but I'd like the reviewer to point out a comparative bargain.

[Brooks W]

Originally Posted by d'am

I agree that taste is the ultimate qualifier, but it can't be the only qualifier. What if someone reviews a $5 and $10 stick, and rates them both "90" without regard to price? That's fine, but I would be more interested in the $5 stick. I'm not saying that the price should influence the score, but I'd like the reviewer to point out a comparative bargain.

And I agree that the price should be mentioned in the review somewhere, but I think it is asinine to deduct (or give) more points to a cigar in a review, just because of price (or better yet, because of how hard a cigar is to find).

The review should be about flavor, (and construction) and nothing else...why?

(The use of the words "You" and "I" in the following comments are meant to be taken as "Everyone" not a specific person): Well, just because a cigar is expensive for you (anyone) does not mean it is expensive to me (anyone else) ...and those HTF cigars that you (anyone) just deducted points for being "Too hard to find"? I (anyone else) can go 10 minutes down the road and buy 15 boxes of them...

~brooks

[d'am]

Originally Posted by Brooks W

And I agree that the price should be mentioned in the review somewhere, but I think it is asinine to deduct (or give) more points to a cigar in a review, just because of price (or better yet, because of how hard a cigar is to find).

Excellent. We agree on this point.

Originally Posted by Brooks W

The review should be about flavor, (and construction) and nothing else...why?

I think you're confusing "review" with "score." A cigar must be scored independent of its price for the exact reasons you've mentioned. But the price deserves a mention somewhere in the review. A $3 stick that holds its own against respected $10 sticks should not score higher simply because of its value, but the bargain certainly deserves an honorable mention.