When editors rate cigars, who much weight is given to the finish. Is longer better, consequently getting a cigar a higher score? What about complexity? Could a simple cigar rate as highly as a more complex one? Some friends and I are rating the cigars we smoke together and keeping logs to remember the great ones.
I think it's been noted a couple times that the CA staff only smoke 1/3 - 1/2 of the cigar when doing a rating. This will need to be confirmed, but you could dig up the super-long thread about the top 25 to get some info on how they rate the cigars.
Posts: 301 | Location: Toronto | Registered: February 02, 2007
I've read a number of interviews with judges, but can't find anyone who breaks down the individual elements of cigar judging. Does a long finish score better than a short finish...does higher complexity score better than a simple smoke?
To clarify, a cigar's finish is not how it tastes when you smoke the last 1/2 inch. Finish refers to how long the flavors last on your palate. If you smoke a very nice cigar, after you puff out the smoke the rich flavors should linger noticeably. The very best will stay with you for a long time, and that's something we might say would have a finish a mile long.
A longer finish is absolutely better than a short one. Complexity is also important. But finish and complexity are not specific categories, but are parts of flavor and overall impression.
For a full explanation of how we taste cigars, check out our video section, and watch "Welcome to Cigar Cinema."
Posts: 2244 | Location: New York, NY | Registered: April 23, 2002
Here's my issue when trying to rate cigars with my friends. Using the CA method I would give most cigars an appearance rating of 15 (most cigars look perfectly rolled with a nice cap, rich color, and with even filler). Smoking characteristics seems to have more variables but again, most good cigars smoke perfectly, worthy of 24 or 25 points. Now scoring gets a bit more difficult. For example I just smoked a Rocky Patel Fusion Toro. A beautiful cigar (appearance 15), smoking characteristics were perfect (nice draw, even burn: 25), but separating taste and overall impression was difficult. The cigar was terrific; complex and spicy, long finish, wonderful aroma, very smooth, medium to full strength, it had it all. So taste was a 23, leaving room because it wasn't the best cigar I've ever smoked, and it lacked that certain "twang" that a good Cuban has as well as some Non-Cubans. Yet my overall impression was that it's a great smoke. Does it get a 35? That would give it a total rating of 98. That's a rating reserved for very few. So I ended up "back rating", that is deducting points from my initial score to give it a 92. A good score for a good cigar. Is "back rating" something the CA judges do or do they have the scoring catagories so dialed in that they simply add up the numbers to get a final score?
Originally posted by David Savona: To clarify, a cigar's finish is not how it tastes when you smoke the last 1/2 inch. Finish refers to how long the flavors last on your palate. If you smoke a very nice cigar, after you puff out the smoke the rich flavors should linger noticeably."
Yikes, I have actually learned something today. Prolly oughta be embarrassed to admit, but I also thought it meant how long it takes for the cigar to "turn." Thanks, David.
Originally posted by Robustojoe: Here's my issue when trying to rate cigars with my friends. Using the CA method I would give most cigars an appearance rating of 15 (most cigars look perfectly rolled with a nice cap, rich color, and with even filler). Smoking characteristics seems to have more variables but again, most good cigars smoke perfectly, worthy of 24 or 25 points. Now scoring gets a bit more difficult. For example I just smoked a Rocky Patel Fusion Toro. A beautiful cigar (appearance 15), smoking characteristics were perfect (nice draw, even burn: 25), but separating taste and overall impression was difficult. The cigar was terrific; complex and spicy, long finish, wonderful aroma, very smooth, medium to full strength, it had it all. So taste was a 23, leaving room because it wasn't the best cigar I've ever smoked, and it lacked that certain "twang" that a good Cuban has as well as some Non-Cubans. Yet my overall impression was that it's a great smoke. Does it get a 35? That would give it a total rating of 98. That's a rating reserved for very few. So I ended up "back rating", that is deducting points from my initial score to give it a 92. A good score for a good cigar. Is "back rating" something the CA judges do or do they have the scoring catagories so dialed in that they simply add up the numbers to get a final score?
I give few 15s for ratings--think about the way the cap looks, if there are noticable veins in the wrapper, if the color is even. A lot can go wrong with appearance. Smoking perfectly? I'll agree that most cigars today smoke well, but not many smoke perfect. That means an even burn, a draw that's right on the money...
Perfection is very hard to attain with a handmade product.
Posts: 2244 | Location: New York, NY | Registered: April 23, 2002
