Comments on: Stogie Commentary: The ‘Cigar Aficionadoization’ of Cigars http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html Blowin’ Smoke on Everything Cigars - cigar reviews, news and commentary 7 days a week Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:36:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Stogie Commentary: What a Cigar Review Is… And Isn’t http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-104024 Stogie Commentary: What a Cigar Review Is… And Isn’t Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:02:01 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-104024 [...] here on StogieGuys.com or on any other site. I’m reminded of one prominent cigar veteran who told me he thinks that some cigarmakers specifically blend their cigars to the tastes of Cigar [...] [...] here on StogieGuys.com or on any other site. I’m reminded of one prominent cigar veteran who told me he thinks that some cigarmakers specifically blend their cigars to the tastes of Cigar [...]

]]> By: Stogie Commentary: Random Thoughts From the Humidor http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-91722 Stogie Commentary: Random Thoughts From the Humidor Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:28:13 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-91722 [...] dollars. Maybe it’s just the cigars CA chooses to review, but then again, Cigar Aficionado is many smokers’ first step into cigardom, meaning that these are the first prices a new smoker sees. No matter what the reason, I worry that [...] [...] dollars. Maybe it’s just the cigars CA chooses to review, but then again, Cigar Aficionado is many smokers’ first step into cigardom, meaning that these are the first prices a new smoker sees. No matter what the reason, I worry that [...]

]]> By: Stogie Reviews: Casa Magna Colorado Torito http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-85969 Stogie Reviews: Casa Magna Colorado Torito Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:01:33 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-85969 [...] a rating of 93 and named it best of the year. That underscores, for better or worse, the tremendous influence the magazine wields in the world of [...] [...] a rating of 93 and named it best of the year. That underscores, for better or worse, the tremendous influence the magazine wields in the world of [...]

]]> By: Stogie Reviews: Rocky Patel Decade Emperor http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-79593 Stogie Reviews: Rocky Patel Decade Emperor Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:44 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-79593 [...] tremendously high ratings from Cigar Aficionado which, as one retailer recently told us, has driven consumer demand to the point of shortages on B&M [...] [...] tremendously high ratings from Cigar Aficionado which, as one retailer recently told us, has driven consumer demand to the point of shortages on B&M [...]

]]> By: CWS http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-67003 CWS Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:20:02 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-67003 As we all agree, taste is subjective. However, it pays to do your homework. I smoked cigars years ago and had an affinity for the full bodied, heavy smoke. After a long hiatus, my tastes have changed dramatically. Before every purchase, I research - either through CA, the local shops and the internet. I like to read and see what's out there in order to make an informed decision. However, I must say I am partial to the reviews on this site - you guys have hit the nail on the head on many of the cigar reviews. As we all agree, taste is subjective. However, it pays to do your homework. I smoked cigars years ago and had an affinity for the full bodied, heavy smoke. After a long hiatus, my tastes have changed dramatically. Before every purchase, I research – either through CA, the local shops and the internet.
I like to read and see what’s out there in order to make an informed decision.
However, I must say I am partial to the reviews on this site – you guys have hit the nail on the head on many of the cigar reviews.

]]> By: dmjones http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-67016 dmjones Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:00:06 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-67016 Thank you for an intelligent and thoughtful article concerning the myriad issues, both good and bad, surrounding Cigar Aficionado. It's so easy for people to level the assertion that "the companies that buy the most advertising get the best reviews" and that seems to happen frequently on cigar blogs as well as the comments after postings. I did my own (highly unscientific) survey of a recent issue and found that to be complete bunk. The company that had paid for the most advertising in that issue was Ashton and as I remember, they had very few cigars even rated and none at the top of their categories. One of the companies that this conspiracy theory most revolves around is Altadis and how they pay for better ratings, but I have to say--not a single Altadis stick was in the top half of its category in that issue and most were at or near the bottom. Consistently, the cigars that rate in the top five of any category most frequently are the Cubans--and there are no advertisements for them at all! Perversely enough, there is a strong tie between "Cigar Magazine" and Altadis. Altadis would deny owning the magazine, but their corporate owner also owns the magazine, making them closely related. The one issue I saw of theirs was very heavy on Altadis reviews, whether good or bad. The bottom line is get opinions from a variety of sources and then try sticks for yourself. Enjoy the magazines for what they bring to the table or just don't buy them. Friends and novice smokers ask me frequently "what's a good cigar for..." and I can come up with my favorites, but I always have to add the caveat that it's up to an individual's tastes. What I like, you might not, and vice versa: for instance, many people love Davidoffs, but I find them to be extraordinarily mild, underflavored, and overpriced; I love La Flor Dominicana's Ligero and Double Ligero lines, but would never recommend them to a novice smoker because they would never want my advice again. I think both were probably fairly highly rated by Cigar Aficionado, though. Thank you for an intelligent and thoughtful article concerning the myriad issues, both good and bad, surrounding Cigar Aficionado. It's so easy for people to level the assertion that "the companies that buy the most advertising get the best reviews" and that seems to happen frequently on cigar blogs as well as the comments after postings. I did my own (highly unscientific) survey of a recent issue and found that to be complete bunk. The company that had paid for the most advertising in that issue was Ashton and as I remember, they had very few cigars even rated and none at the top of their categories. One of the companies that this conspiracy theory most revolves around is Altadis and how they pay for better ratings, but I have to say–not a single Altadis stick was in the top half of its category in that issue and most were at or near the bottom. Consistently, the cigars that rate in the top five of any category most frequently are the Cubans–and there are no advertisements for them at all!

Perversely enough, there is a strong tie between "Cigar Magazine" and Altadis. Altadis would deny owning the magazine, but their corporate owner also owns the magazine, making them closely related. The one issue I saw of theirs was very heavy on Altadis reviews, whether good or bad.

The bottom line is get opinions from a variety of sources and then try sticks for yourself. Enjoy the magazines for what they bring to the table or just don't buy them. Friends and novice smokers ask me frequently "what's a good cigar for…" and I can come up with my favorites, but I always have to add the caveat that it's up to an individual's tastes. What I like, you might not, and vice versa: for instance, many people love Davidoffs, but I find them to be extraordinarily mild, underflavored, and overpriced; I love La Flor Dominicana's Ligero and Double Ligero lines, but would never recommend them to a novice smoker because they would never want my advice again. I think both were probably fairly highly rated by Cigar Aficionado, though.

]]> By: David http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-66971 David Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:25:53 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-66971 Great topic....I'm a chef and lived in france for several years, during that time I purchased every Parker book that was out and poured over every thing he wrote, he does know his stuff and his reviews provide great insight. Interestingly, the parallels between wine and cigars are tremendous. What I learned from wines and wine reviews...the fact that a persons enjoyment of a rich, fruity 15 dollar bottle of sangiovese doesn't increase 10 fold when you pay 150$ for an equally fruity and much more exclusive bottle of pinot, this is an important reality, and one I apply to all cigar reviews I read. The information that runs through both these rating institutions has to be seen as potential only, especially with cigars which I believe to be more inconsistent than a vintage of wine. The real pleasure is in finding and stocking the mid priced wines/cigars that consistently supply great enjoyment. On a more base parallel, it's like the concept my roomate in college taught me about picking up girls in a bar....first figure out who the best looking 5% are that nite(like the 60 year old precastro cubans that rate 98CA) and forget about them, every bonehead in the bar will be fighting over them and they probably have their head up their ass anyway. Then figure out which girls are in the next 5% these are the ones worth your effort, cigar reviews are kinda like that. Stay away from California chards, buy New Zealand ,Australian and Chilean and you'll be fine. Cigars do change and procreate faster than wines, they're both silly with numbers of varieties, and both a great pleasure to chase. ...oh I'm crackin a Nicolas Feuillatte 95 cuvee speciale with a monte #2 in about 24 hours and i don't even know what that wine rates in RP's guides. I'll be ok though.... Great topic….I’m a chef and lived in france for several years, during that time I purchased every Parker book that was out and poured over every thing he wrote, he does know his stuff and his reviews provide great insight. Interestingly, the parallels between wine and cigars are tremendous. What I learned from wines and wine reviews…the fact that a persons enjoyment of a rich, fruity 15 dollar bottle of sangiovese doesn’t increase 10 fold when you pay 150$ for an equally fruity and much more exclusive bottle of pinot, this is an important reality, and one I apply to all cigar reviews I read. The information that runs through both these rating institutions has to be seen as potential only, especially with cigars which I believe to be more inconsistent than a vintage of wine. The real pleasure is in finding and stocking the mid priced wines/cigars that consistently supply great enjoyment. On a more base parallel, it’s like the concept my roomate in college taught me about picking up girls in a bar….first figure out who the best looking 5% are that nite(like the 60 year old precastro cubans that rate 98CA) and forget about them, every bonehead in the bar will be fighting over them and they probably have their head up their ass anyway. Then figure out which girls are in the next 5% these are the ones worth your effort, cigar reviews are kinda like that. Stay away from California chards, buy New Zealand ,Australian and Chilean and you’ll be fine.
Cigars do change and procreate faster than wines, they’re both silly with numbers of varieties, and both a great pleasure to chase.
…oh I’m crackin a Nicolas Feuillatte 95 cuvee speciale with a monte #2 in about 24 hours and i don’t even know what that wine rates in RP’s guides. I’ll be ok though….

]]> By: Patrick S http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-66926 Patrick S Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:38:54 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-66926 Matt- The novelist is Robert <em>B</em>. Parker. The wine critic is Robert <em>M.</em> Parker. (By the way, here is the <a href="http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/listings/shows08_12_06.html" rel="nofollow">radio interview</a> with him that inspired this article.) Travis- I think many people first become exposed to premium cigars through CA, which is a great thing. I can say that the first box purchase I made was something I had first tried based on a high rating from CA. There's nothing wrong with reading CA... I have a subscription. I just worry that for many people it is their only source of information, when they would benefit from other points of view. Matt-
The novelist is Robert B. Parker. The wine critic is Robert M. Parker. (By the way, here is the radio interview with him that inspired this article.)

Travis-
I think many people first become exposed to premium cigars through CA, which is a great thing. I can say that the first box purchase I made was something I had first tried based on a high rating from CA.

There’s nothing wrong with reading CA… I have a subscription. I just worry that for many people it is their only source of information, when they would benefit from other points of view.

]]> By: furious http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-66951 furious Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:09:52 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-66951 I remember that people used to flock to his Monkton, MD office (I worked in the area back in the early 90's) to catch the latest issue proof immediately before it went to press back in the early years. He was quite accessible back in the late 80's and early 90's; however, that all changed around the dot-com boom when prices really shot up. I remember that people used to flock to his Monkton, MD office (I worked in the area back in the early 90's) to catch the latest issue proof immediately before it went to press back in the early years. He was quite accessible back in the late 80's and early 90's; however, that all changed around the dot-com boom when prices really shot up.

]]> By: Travis Lindsay http://www.stogieguys.com/2008/12/12302008-stogie-commentary-the-cigar-aficionadoization-of-cigars.html/comment-page-1#comment-66920 Travis Lindsay Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:43:41 +0000 http://www.stogieguys.com/?p=2782#comment-66920 Guys, I've got to tell you the truth here; I don't know if I would be smoking cigars if not for CA. I had been reading it for about a half a year before I smoked my first cigar and I'm glad it was there because smoking cigars has become an important part of my life. Magazines like CA, your great blog, and my blog all serve to talk about cigars and, hopefully, pique our reader's interest in our passion. If you guys become the Parker of cigars I'll be happy for you. In the end I'll pay more for my cigars but that also means that the cigar makers will be getting more money and we'll continue to get great cigars with a lot of variety. Guys,

I’ve got to tell you the truth here; I don’t know if I would be smoking cigars if not for CA. I had been reading it for about a half a year before I smoked my first cigar and I’m glad it was there because smoking cigars has become an important part of my life.

Magazines like CA, your great blog, and my blog all serve to talk about cigars and, hopefully, pique our reader’s interest in our passion. If you guys become the Parker of cigars I’ll be happy for you.

In the end I’ll pay more for my cigars but that also means that the cigar makers will be getting more money and we’ll continue to get great cigars with a lot of variety.

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