I was wondering how cA chooses the people who rate cigars. Also I was wondering how the process works for the person judging, what characteristics do they judge, and basically how does it all get reported back in some definable way?

I am sure this has been asked before, but I am curious.

Thanks,

Steve

And what is good, Phaedrus,
And what is not good--
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?

I asked a similar question and got no response. Good luck.

My guess would be that they give Suckling a stack of cigars and a deadline...

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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.

Apparently this simple question is not so simple. At the very least i would have expected some comment from the editors instead of silence.

--Steve

And what is good, Phaedrus,
And what is not good--
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?

Perhaps you should start a weekly counter like delmont. Hell, everyone think of a few more questions and post them and keep the same counter so mabbe when your kids take the reigns your questions MAY be answered. Then your children can get into their car (or whatever else we use in the future to get from A to B) and tell you the answer at the nursing home. This is BS. I pay for my subscription to CA and would like to know the answer myself. Why can't you guys answer a simple question? Why the silent treatment?

Originally, the panel was chosen among the existing cigar smokers in M. Shanken Communications, all but one an editor on the magazine. As people have come and gone, we have trained new people in the art and skill of tasting, in general, and in specific, in the tasting of cigars. The amount of time any new member spends in “Beta” testing, -- they rate cigars on their own, but the scores are not factored into the final tasting -- varies between six to 12 months. We are constantly evaluating and comparing the taster’s scores to be sure we are following the same criteria.

David-
It seems to me that this might make an interesting story for cA. Some kind of look into the training and reviewing process. I know it's something I would enjoy reading, as I feel many other readers would. Plus it's not as if you don't have access to those people or the procedures since they are your own.

I think it would be an interesting and informative article.

Sincerely,

Steve Schofield

And what is good, Phaedrus,
And what is not good--
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?

I would love to know how a professionally trained taster is educated and how he applies his craft.

That would be excellent reading.

##############################
"Time is a thief, it will steal your tomorrows. So, smoke a cigar today."
--BB King (and a little Paleto)

David:

Also if you have any vacancies and need new cigar taster apprentices then drop me a line.



Kidding, but it would be fun to do.

--Steve

Beware the beast man, for he is the Devil's pawn. Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him, for he is the harbinger of death.
-Planet Of The Apes (1968)

You know, we never seem to have a shortage of applicants.

I'd bet you don't.


==============================
"Have you got a helmet?"asks Wyatt. "Oh,oh iv`e got a helmet,I`ve got a beauty".

In the words of Arnold Horseshack...OOH OOH PICK ME!

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'
Ronald Reagan

any of you guys remember a la finca scoring way above a cohiba esplendido??

Time to revamp your taster training camp.....

seriously tho, i used to enjoy CA but after that came out I have never bought another copy

MrR

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood"

I think you should have members from the forum do it. Send us cigars and have us rate them. Of course I would volunteer!

B.A.S.E #0000 <(o)>
C.L.A.S.P. #0000
P.F.M.

Mr. Rogers - La Finca's ARE better than dominican cohiba esplendidos. I think you are confused.

This might sound funny, but I don't read CA for the ratings. I learned long ago that the mystery men who rate cigars have different tastes than mine. Hell, I don't even know what anise tastes like!