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Bundle or Low Cost Cigar Reviews

Saxjazzman

Active Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2006
Messages
2,505
BOTLs and SOTLs,

Awhile back J&R came out with a bundle called La Flor De Baloney that was 'meant' to challenge RP Vintage series. After much discussion about it at CP we decided to spring for a bundle and pass it around to have different people review it. It was a lot of fun and the comments were noteworthy. There we developed a new term for cigars called 'Package Pressed' to indicate cigars that were crushed by the Postal Service due to poor packaging. That was my fault as I sent them poorly package but we managed to have a good laugh.

What I would like to propose is a regular bundle tasting about once every three months to develop a database of what bundles or low price cigars are bad, worse, or maybe even good. I would spring for a bundle about once a quarter and pass it around to see what people think about it. The problem is I would need tasters. I realize that this is calling for self sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty. None of these will be most likely great smokes, but I hope two things will come out of this.
1) We develop a database so others can make some decision if they are interested in buying a particular brand
2) To enhance the spirit of exploration and go where no man has gone before

I know that there are review on some bundles all ready but what I propose is the following.

1) That there be five tasters to review the cigars they are given
2) That we rate the cigars IAW a modified rating system similiar to the one in Cigar magazine to standardize the ratings

To keep it simple, we would rate the cigars in three categories.
A) Appearance--How the cigar looks, how the pre-light smell is, the wrapper, etc.
B) Taste---How is the taste? Spicy, strong, bland, airball, etc. How did the taste progress, etc.
C) Construction---How did the cigar perform in terms of draw, burn, ash, etc.

To rate the cigars we would use a number from 5 to 10, 5 being one you would not even give Fidel to smoke and ten being a damm good cigar. The final rating number would be determined by the following:

A + B + (1.5)C divided by 3.5. This is similar to how Cigar Magazine does it but not the same. I realize that this is not perfect and there may be better ways but this would work also.

The cigars I would like to start the review with are the following:

1) Belinda
2) Indian Tabac Limited Reserve
3) Famous Nic Selection 3000
4) RP Factory Selects
5) Olor Nic
6) Famous Value Line Nic #300

Again, this will be a sacrifice for the tasters but I hope it will also be fun finding, maybe finding a keeper among the bad ones.

If you are interested please PM me your name and mailing address. The first five that I receive will be the tasters for the first batch listed above. I encourage both those that are new to cigars as welll as old timers so we can get a diverse perspective. The only requirement is that you smoke the cigars and post your honest results, either good or bad on the thread that I will start for each one.

I hope there is interest. Let the smoking begin!! :laugh:


ed: The tasters for these series are not committed to continue. Every series we would open up to new tasters.
 
good luck with this Sax! I'd offer up my taste buds, but i've been very limited as far as smoking time goes lately. :(
 
This would be something I would be interested in during one of your later batch testing. I think I need just a tad more experience smoking my current supply before I take on the great responsibility of putting a review out there for the rest of the BOTL's.

I do look forward to reading the reviews of others that help you out.
 
PM Sent

I would be interested in joining the taste test group. If for no other reason that I would like to begin developing the ability to describe the cigars I smoke in a more detailed manner.
Let me know if you can use my opinions.
 
We have our tasters!! I want to thank you in advance for doing this. This truly is stepping in the unknown and we all appreciate your courage.

The tasters are:

Rectifythis
Mysterea
Mrtapes
Boonedoggle
Putz Mulligan

I will try to get the cigars out to you this week. When I do I will post the DC numbers. Don't worry about getting fancy about a review. We just want a general overview along with the number points. Once I get the cigars out I will post a thread for each cigar.

You will get at least two cigars of each brand with the exception of the Famous Nic Selection 3000. My inventory is down to only one for each. Most of the others will be three or more smokes.

There is no rush in smoking them. Take your time, let the cigars rest and when you feel that you smoked enough to make a review let it fly!!


Again, thanks and let the fun begin.

:laugh:
 
To keep it simple, we would rate the cigars in three categories.
A) Appearance--How the cigar looks, how the pre-light smell is, the wrapper, etc.
B) Taste---How is the taste? Spicy, strong, bland, airball, etc. How did the taste progress, etc.
C) Construction---How did the cigar perform in terms of draw, burn, ash, etc.

To rate the cigars we would use a number from 5 to 10, 5 being one you would not even give Fidel to smoke and ten being a damm good cigar. The final rating number would be determined by the following:

A + B + (1.5)C divided by 3.5. This is similar to how Cigar Magazine does it but not the same. I realize that this is not perfect and there may be better ways but this would work also.


Thanks a lot for the chance to be in your tasting group. I'm not quite sure I understand the rating system though.
Can you clarify or describe differently the adding up and multiplying of the numbers...
"A + B + (1.5)C divided by 3.5"
What exactly do you mean by (1.5)C divided by 3.5
I am game for reviewing the sticks but not sure I grasp the algebra involved? :(
 
I think that equasion wrks like this:

the final rating of A (appearance) a score from 5 - 10
plus the rating of B (taste) a score of 5 - 10
plus the rating of C (construction) a score of 5-10

Then, you take C and multiply it by 1.5

Then you all all three together, and divide by 3.5


So lets say I'm smoking a good looking turd of a smoke

I'd rate:
A = 10
B = 5
C = 10 (x 1.5) = 15

Then you all all three, a total of 30
Divide that total by 3.5 = 8.571428571428571428571428571428

That's my interpretation, I've never done this before :D

Cheers,
Rob

P.S. thanks for the opportunity, wonder if the moontrances will be better or worse =)
 
Very nice bro... The La Flor De Boloney challenge what a lot of fun!!! Would have loved to do this, but I missed it!!! It should be interesting to watch though!!!

:thumbs:
 
I think that equasion wrks like this:

the final rating of A (appearance) a score from 5 - 10
plus the rating of B (taste) a score of 5 - 10
plus the rating of C (construction) a score of 5-10

Then, you take C and multiply it by 1.5

Then you all all three together, and divide by 3.5


So lets say I'm smoking a good looking turd of a smoke

I'd rate:
A = 10
B = 5
C = 10 (x 1.5) = 15

Then you all all three, a total of 30
Divide that total by 3.5 = 8.571428571428571428571428571428

That's my interpretation, I've never done this before :D

Cheers,
Rob

P.S. thanks for the opportunity, wonder if the moontrances will be better or worse =)

Thats also how I interpret it but it doesn't make much sense to me. Why would the construction be weighted more than the taste. The taste of a cigar is often considered the most important part.

I'm confused..... :(
 
Nice idea, SJM!

I look forward to the reviews. I could use a little variety in my yard gars. :D

Best of luck to all the participants and may the tobacco gods have mercy on your tastebuds.

Wilkey
 
I think that equasion wrks like this:

the final rating of A (appearance) a score from 5 - 10
plus the rating of B (taste) a score of 5 - 10
plus the rating of C (construction) a score of 5-10

Then, you take C and multiply it by 1.5

Then you all all three together, and divide by 3.5


So lets say I'm smoking a good looking turd of a smoke

I'd rate:
A = 10
B = 5
C = 10 (x 1.5) = 15

Then you all all three, a total of 30
Divide that total by 3.5 = 8.571428571428571428571428571428

That's my interpretation, I've never done this before :D

Cheers,
Rob

P.S. thanks for the opportunity, wonder if the moontrances will be better or worse =)

Great explanation. That is about right. You don't have to worry about the math though. Just give each cigar a rating from 5 to 10 in each category and I will do the math at the end.
 
Nice idea, SJM!

I look forward to the reviews. I could use a little variety in my yard gars. :D

Best of luck to all the participants and may the tobacco gods have mercy on your tastebuds.

Wilkey

Thanks Wilkey. And yes, may the tobacco gods have mercy on our tastebuds!! :laugh:
 
Received the smokes today! Smoked the Belinda and anxious wait to post the review...you said you're going to start a review thread, right?
 
Dear Gentlemen,

The packages went out on Friday and you should be receiving them shortly, if you haven't all ready. It may be a good idea to let them rest for a couple of days. I will post a thread for each cigar. I would recommend smoking a couple of the cigars you will be reviewing before you post a review. I will have the threads up probably by Wednesday. Enjoy and thanks again!!

:thumbs:
 
Received mine this afternoon. I threw them in the humi and went straight to work so I will let them sit a week and break into them. Thanks Saxjazzman.
 
I received mine as well. Letting them rest. Looking forward to this!

Thanks
 
Nothing yet, Interesting because we are both in New York!
Hopefully they'll arrive tomorrow because otherwise I won't get to the PO until next monday!!!!
I've got gigs in Niagara Falls Ontario this week.

(edit)
They did not arrive on Tuesday; hopefully they are packed well enough to withstand a week in the Post Office.
Funny how the guys in California and Arizona get them before I did and I am in the same state as you!
The USPS is a very unreliable service sometimes.

Well, anyway.... My reviews will be delayed accordingly so I can let the cigars recover sufficiently after a week and a half in the mail.
 
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