My Cigar Rating System

The more cigars I smoke, the more I become aware that my palette and tastes are getting more... discriminating.  I'm getting to the point where I can pick out finer and finer details and differences in taste, aroma, draw, etc.  And I'm discovering that my rating system isn't precise enough.  Not all "7 out of 10" cigars are created equal, after all.  To make matters worse, I never really used a rating system at all, just 10 point "enjoyment" scale.

So I'm going to go back and re-do all my ratings, using a 100-point scale suspiciously similar to the one used by Cigar Aficionado magazine...

Appearance and Construction (15 point maximum)
A cigar should have consistent color and shape from head to foot;  the wrapper should be smooth and flawless. When held, the cigar should feel firm and give off a slightly oily moistness. Points will be deducted if the wrapper has areas of large veins or if the cigar feels dry or firmer in some parts than others.

Flavor (25 points maximum)
A cigar should have clear, distinctive (and pleasant) flavors, and it should be consistently smooth and rich. Points will be deduced if the cigar leaves a bitter or harsh taste on my lips, tongue or mouth.

Smoking Characteristics (25 points maximum)
A cigar should light and burn easily and evenly, and it should have a comfortable, consistent draw.  The ash should be pale and firm, and the cigar should give off thick, white smoke.  Points are deducted if the cigar burns unevenly, too quickly, too hot, or if the cigar is difficult to keep lit.

Overall Impression (35 points maximum)
A completely subjective score based simply on how thoroughly I enjoyed the cigar.  This is the most heavily weighted category because it is the most important, at least to me.

In some cases, I may be forced to re-smoke a given cigar in order to refresh my memory, but that's a burden I'm prepared to accept for you, my devoted readers...

Sancho Panza Double Maduro

My latest "splurge" from Cigars International.  After reading some impressive reviews, I grabbed a 5-pack of these while ordering a few more of the 5 Vegas Gold Maduros that I enjoyed so much night before last.  Honestly, I didn't expect much.  $3 per stick seemed rather cheap even at CI's usually great prices.  But man... did I hit the jackpot.  (Next time I'll order a full box and save even more...)

The Sancho Panza Double Maduro (Cervantes: 6.5" x 48) is a delicious smoke.  It's good looking, too.  The maduro wrapper is as dark and oily and smooth as you'd imagine something called "double maduro" would be.  The construction is a little loose:  compared to the 5 Vegas Gold Maduro that I reviewed last week, the Sancho Panza felt light by contrast. I cut the opening slightly smaller than I normally do, but in retrospect I probably didn't need to.  It lit easily, burned evenly, and left a light, medium-gray ash.  It seemed to burn quicker than my other cigars, but never got "hot".  This thing is definitely not light on flavor, though.  Leather, toast, chicory and dark chocolate, all laid on thick - stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth thick, but never overpowering - right down to the nub.  I have a feeling I'll still be able to taste it tomorrow morning - and that will be a good thing.  My new favorite.

Appearance and Construction:  13/15

Flavor:  24/25

Smoking Characteristics:  23/25

Overall Impression:  33/35

Total:  93/100

5 Vegas Gold Maduro

This cigar is a dilemma... I enjoyed a 5 Vegas Gold Maduro (Robusto: 5" x 50) while reading a good book out on the patio last night - a crisp, clear autumn night that I enthusiastically filled with clouds of thick, white smoke.  Beautiful to look at - the dark, oily maduro wrapper makes it look more like a stick of fudge than a cigar - it felt solid and heavy for its size.  I've smoked two of these, both Robustos from the same batch, and they were both so dense that the draw was very difficult. The flavor stayed consistent all the way through, which was a good thing, because it was delicious from start to finish.  Strong notes of leather and cedar and coffee, with a hint of pepper and a white-chocolaty sweetness than never became cloying.  My only complaint is the draw:  getting smoke out of these things seems so much like work I gave up on the last two inches both times.  I'm hoping it was just a bad batch; putting these down before they burned my fingers seemed wasteful.  It's like finally getting a Ferrari and realizing you had more fun driving your old Ford.  I've ordered 5 more of these in the Torpedo size - hopefully they'll be less work, because this would be a great cigar otherwise.

{Edit, 16 November 2010:  I finally got around to trying one of the torpedoes, and it smoked much better than the first two had.  The scores below have been updated.}

Appearance and Construction:  14/15

Flavor:  23/25

Smoking Characteristics:  22/25

Overall Impression:  31/35

Total:  90/100