Volunteers needed for blind reviews

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by kgoings

January, July, and November

Originally Posted by fissure

Kirk can think quicker than me. I concur with him though

Jan, July, Nov

Both right or both wrong

Originally Posted by dyieldin

How about Nov, Jan and July

kgoings; fissure; dyieldin are the three reviewers, but I think we should get to know their tastes in cigars a little bit. This won't change what is sent to them, but knowing their tastes will lead us to see that they may or may not come to the same conclusions about these cigars.

So guys, here are a few questions to answer.

1a) My favorite wrapper is usually...
1b) but I also enjoy...
1c) and I really hate...

2a) My preferred size vitola is...
2b) but I also enjoy...
2c) and I really hate...

3a) My 5 favorite cigars (thought I don't normally spend the money on) at present are...
3b) My 5 favorite/go to cigar are...

4) 5 cigars I try to avoid (don't name ones we all avoid, but things people wouldn't expect)...

5) 5 cigars I'd like to try, but haven't are...

6) I'm hoping the Rev puts one of these in the sampler...

Thanks for your participation.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[kgoings]

1a) My favorite wrapper is usually... Besides Cuban I love Camaroon
1b) but I also enjoy... the rest of them
1c) and I really hate... can't say I really hate any of them

2a) My preferred size vitola is... Lanceros I used to say Robusto but I am really enjoying Torps and Churchills right now...so they all are good!

2b) but I also enjoy... Ninfa's
2c) and I really hate... cant say I've had a vitola I hate

3a) My 5 favorite cigars (thought I don't normally spend the money on) at present are... I smoke pretty ordinary stuff so I buy the ones I like. Havent smoked anything super expensive or fancy.

3b) My 5 favorite/go to cigar are... Boli Corona Gigante, Boli PC, Upmann #2, LaGloria Cubana MDO #1, Upmann Mag 50

4) 5 cigars I try to avoid (don't name ones we all avoid, but things people wouldn't expect)... Tat's and Peppins, I have had some that I like but I am not super impressed with their spiciness.

5) 5 cigars I'd like to try, but haven't are... I can't really think of anything specific. sorry

6) I'm hoping the Rev puts one of these in the sampler... I'll be pleased with whatever you send!

[fissure]

1a) My favorite wrapper is usually... Cuban
1b) but I also enjoy... sumatra, maduro, corojo
1c) and I really hate... bland

2a) My preferred size vitola is... PC or Corona

2b) but I also enjoy... Lanceros
2c) and I really hate... Big ring gauges > 50

3a) My 5 favorite cigars (thought I don't normally spend the money on) at present are... Pepins, tats, Cohiba (CC), Kristoff, San Cristobal

3b) My 5 favorite/go to cigar are... Partagas lonsdale, Hoyo du prince/du roi, Little havana overruns, LGC #1, Partagas millie fleur

4) 5 cigars I try to avoid (don't name ones we all avoid, but things people wouldn't expect)... Punch CC's, Bolivar CC's (haven't found one that has wowed me yet), Older RyJ CC's (like the fresher taste in the RyJ's), Tat LE's, Fuente (almost all)

5) 5 cigars I'd like to try, but haven't are... 1980's davidoff, Cohiba Behike, other lanceros that I haven't tried, a good punch or boli, NC Davidoff

6) I'm hoping the Rev puts one of these in the sampler... 80's davidoff Seriously, I know I'll be happy with whatever is sent

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by kgoings

1a) My favorite wrapper is usually... Besides Cuban I love Camaroon
1b) but I also enjoy... the rest of them
1c) and I really hate... can't say I really hate any of them

2a) My preferred size vitola is... Lanceros I used to say Robusto but I am really enjoying Torps and Churchills right now...so they all are good!

2b) but I also enjoy... Ninfa's
2c) and I really hate... cant say I've had a vitola I hate

3a) My 5 favorite cigars (thought I don't normally spend the money on) at present are... I smoke pretty ordinary stuff so I buy the ones I like. Havent smoked anything super expensive or fancy.

3b) My 5 favorite/go to cigar are... Boli Corona Gigante, Boli PC, Upmann #2, LaGloria Cubana MDO #1, Upmann Mag 50

4) 5 cigars I try to avoid (don't name ones we all avoid, but things people wouldn't expect)... Tat's and Peppins, I have had some that I like but I am not super impressed with their spiciness.

5) 5 cigars I'd like to try, but haven't are... I can't really think of anything specific. sorry

6) I'm hoping the Rev puts one of these in the sampler... I'll be pleased with whatever you send!

Originally Posted by fissure

1a) My favorite wrapper is usually... Cuban
1b) but I also enjoy... sumatra, maduro, corojo
1c) and I really hate... bland

2a) My preferred size vitola is... PC or Corona

2b) but I also enjoy... Lanceros
2c) and I really hate... Big ring gauges > 50

3a) My 5 favorite cigars (thought I don't normally spend the money on) at present are... Pepins, tats, Cohiba (CC), Kristoff, San Cristobal

3b) My 5 favorite/go to cigar are... Partagas lonsdale, Hoyo du prince/du roi, Little havana overruns, LGC #1, Partagas millie fleur

4) 5 cigars I try to avoid (don't name ones we all avoid, but things people wouldn't expect)... Punch CC's, Bolivar CC's (haven't found one that has wowed me yet), Older RyJ CC's (like the fresher taste in the RyJ's), Tat LE's, Fuente (almost all)

5) 5 cigars I'd like to try, but haven't are... 1980's davidoff, Cohiba Behike, other lanceros that I haven't tried, a good punch or boli, NC Davidoff

6) I'm hoping the Rev puts one of these in the sampler... 80's davidoff Seriously, I know I'll be happy with whatever is sent

Thanks guys for playing. I am not doing this to figure out what I am sending - you are getting what you are getting. Free cigars are always wonderful, but the goal of question #6 isn't to see if you'll be happy with what you get, nor is it a chance for modesty. It is an opportunity for me to see what your "dream" cigar would be - 80's Davidoff - cool. If you get one, send it to me.

It is truly fun to see what you like. From what you two have written, I think you will enjoy the selections I am sending you.

This is really looking to be fun.

[brigey57]

This sounds like fun.

Would you be willing to share the cigars that were blind tested and give us the reviews?

It help decide whether I would like to try something new or different from what I have smoked in the past. Plus I can decide if my likes/dislikes align with the reviewers.

Thanks for your project.

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Thanks guys for playing. I am not doing this to figure out what I am sending - you are getting what you are getting. Free cigars are always wonderful, but the goal of question #6 isn't to see if you'll be happy with what you get, nor is it a chance for modesty. It is an opportunity for me to see what your "dream" cigar would be - 80's Davidoff - cool. If you get one, send it to me.

It is truly fun to see what you like. From what you two have written, I think you will enjoy the selections I am sending you.

This is really looking to be fun.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by brigey57

This sounds like fun.

Would you be willing to share the cigars that were blind tested and give us the reviews?

It help decide whether I would like to try something new or different from what I have smoked in the past. Plus I can decide if my likes/dislikes align with the reviewers.

Thanks for your project.

Yeah, Im pretty sure Todd is only having the reviews sent to him so he can post them in a coherent style. He's going to post all of the reviews, then reveal what they smoked.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by brigey57

This sounds like fun.

Would you be willing to share the cigars that were blind tested and give us the reviews?

It help decide whether I would like to try something new or different from what I have smoked in the past. Plus I can decide if my likes/dislikes align with the reviewers.

Thanks for your project.

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

Yeah, Im pretty sure Todd is only having the reviews sent to him so he can post them in a coherent style. He's going to post all of the reviews, then reveal what they smoked.

MJ is very, very close. The only reason that the reviews will be sent to me is so that I can post them all together and then reveal what that particular cigar is. They will be getting instructions to smoke the cigars in specific order, and then I can post their reviews together.

That raises another question for the reviewers.
How many cigars do you smoke per day and/or week?

I am not wanting these to be the only cigars you smoke, so I am thinking that maybe we can get one review a week? Or maybe one every two weeks?

I smoke 4-7 a week, usually closer to 4. When I reveiwed for SMOKE, I never had a chance to have a cigar for me. While reviewing is fun, when I sit down with a couple friends to have a pint of porter, I want a cigar that will pair with that. Smoking cigars blind can be a crap shoot in that regard - you can end up with a great cigar and a great beer - but the just don't go well together.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[kgoings]

I rarely smoke more than one a day. And I usually smoke at least 2 a week. But I am on sabbatical so I figure I will smoke quite a bit more. I am okay with one a week.

[fissure]

Depends on the weather for me, but usually 3-4 a week in the summer. So 1 a week will be very doable

August January November!

[macsauce13]

Late to the party Excel!

[G G]

Originally Posted by fissure

I wouldn't count on it

neither would I.

I see that McKenzie..... didn't hurt to try though!

Originally Posted by macsauce13

Late to the party Excel!

[macsauce13]

Definitely not!

[dyieldin]

1a) My favorite wrapper is usually... I like Camaroon or Colorado/corojo.
1b) but I also enjoy... Anything really can be enjoyed to some degree. If I had to pick I would say sumatra
1c) and I really hate... Hate is such a harsh word here. I do not hate any of them. I would say I like Oscuro the least.
2a) My preferred size vitola is... Toros have been working the best for me
2b) but I also enjoy... Robustos and torps
2c) and I really hate... Humm, hate again? Lancereo the least, seems at run hot ofter and lacks full flavor blast.
3a) My 5 favorite cigars (thought I don't normally spend the money on) at present are... anything [FONT=Arial]Arturo Fuente, [/FONT]Graycliff 1666,Cohiba, Padron, Rocky Patel , Hoyo de Monterrey
3b) My 5 favorite/go to cigar are...I currently smoke more low end sticks due to current budget. "Everyday" aticks are 5 Vegas, Puros Indios(even like the Rolys), a Vieja Habana, Cuba Libre, Calle Ocho
4) 5 cigars I try to avoid (don't name ones we all avoid, but things people wouldn't expect)... Te-Amo, Nubs(don't hate me, I feel like I am getting ripped off)
5) 5 cigars I'd like to try, but haven't are... There are hundreds out there. And it figures I am drawing a blank right now. Liga Privada, El Baton
6) I'm hoping the Rev puts one of these in the sampler... Something the Rev smokes himself. But, I am up for trying some of the newer stuff on the market. Liga Privada, Tatuaje, Padron, Graycliff.

[dyieldin]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

MJ is very, very close. The only reason that the reviews will be sent to me is so that I can post them all together and then reveal what that particular cigar is. They will be getting instructions to smoke the cigars in specific order, and then I can post their reviews together.

That raises another question for the reviewers.
How many cigars do you smoke per day and/or week?

I am not wanting these to be the only cigars you smoke, so I am thinking that maybe we can get one review a week? Or maybe one every two weeks?

I smoke 4-7 a week, usually closer to 4. When I reveiwed for SMOKE, I never had a chance to have a cigar for me. While reviewing is fun, when I sit down with a couple friends to have a pint of porter, I want a cigar that will pair with that. Smoking cigars blind can be a crap shoot in that regard - you can end up with a great cigar and a great beer - but the just don't go well together.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

I only smoke one at a time.

I am on one per day but have lots of free time now and can sneak in another to help out. So I am good with whatever everyone wants to do. I vote for 1 per week as long as we can be done by December as I have to do something then.......Kidding, I'd go all year.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by dyieldin

I only smoke one at a time.

I am on one per day but have lots of free time now and can sneak in another to help out. So I am good with whatever everyone wants to do. I vote for 1 per week as long as we can be done by December as I have to do something then.......Kidding, I'd go all year.

If you smoke one a month till December, that'd be 7 sticks - I only have 5er bags, sorry to disappoint. I think reviewing one cigar a week will be good.

Thanks for the response.

[RevSmoke]

Greetings to you all, especially you participants. I was waiting for Kirk, so that the cigars arrive after he gets back (6/10), so they are going out in today's mail.

Remember participants, the couple of rules.
1 - Have fun with this.
2 - Smoke the cigars in order, they are numbered on the 5-finger bag.
3 - Smoke these samples as your first cigar of the day (so your palate is fresh), at whatever time that may be, and always with the same beverage.
4 - PM your reviews to me, do not post them to this or any other thread, I will put them up together and also post what you have smoked.
5 - Use the review format below.

Again, have some fun with this. Hopefully you enjoy the cigars, they are all from my regular rotation or special treat stock. All have been previously frozen by yours truly, so no worries there.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Review Format
In each of the categories below rank the cigar with this system
0.0 - 2.0 = poor/inferior quality
2.1 - 2.9 = fair
3.0 - 3.5 = good
3.5 - 4.5 = excellent
4.6 - 5.0 = superior

1) Aesthetics: the look of the cigar - oily, coarse, smooth, dry, light, dark, pretty, ugly, etc...

Score for aesthetics:

2) Pre-light Construction: Roll cigar between fingers - soft spots? loose?tight? dense? lightweight? Well rolled? how does it smell?

Score for Pre-light construction:

3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked: Does it draw well, does smoke pull through on its own, do soft spots appear after lighting, burnes evenly? smokes hot or cool? What is ash like? color of ash? flaky or solid?

Score for post-light construction:

4) Flavor and strength: What does it taste like? Full-bodied, med. or mild? Does it taste earthy, spicy, fruity, vegetal, sweet, rich, harsh, direct, floral, robust, woody, green (haylike), acidic, salty? Is it pleasant or unpleasant? Does it build in flavor and/or complexity as you smoke it? Is it bland, flavorful, complex? Did it get bitter?

Score for flavor and strength:

5) Finish/Aftertaste: Finish or aftertaste is the sensation &/or flavor on you palate after each puff, not the taste left after you finish the cigar. Is it heavy - light? Spicy, cedary, fruity, bitter, hot, grassy? Mild - strong? Pleasant or not? Harsh?

Score for aftertaste:

6) Aroma: What does it smell like? Good - bad? light or heavy? pervasive - mild? floral, perfumed, grassy, harsh, woodsy, overpowering, unpleasant, magnificent?

Score for aroma:

7) General Comments: Are samples consistent? Did you particlarily enjoy of with a certain food or beverage? Did they appeal more at certain time of day? Did it remind you of something? Would you buy them? Sum it up as you would to a friends ("That cigar was awesome!") and give it an overall score (this is not a total, or an average of the others - it is you overall rating of the cigar)

Overall score for the cigar:

8) Recommendation: Would you recommend the cigar? Pick one of the following and explain:

Not Recommended
Possibly Recommended
Recommended
Highly Recommended

[RevSmoke]

Sticks are on the way to our reviews.

Steve #0309 0330 000 7090 3962
Kirk #0309 0330 0000 7090 3993
David #0309 0330 0000 7090 3979

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[fissure]

Thanks Todd Looking forward to smoking some sticks that you enjoy