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...