Why You Can Trust the Score
Let’s talk about how this actually works, because I think it matters more than people realize. Some of the cigars I review, I go out and buy myself. Other ones get sent to me — brands send samples, sometimes a reader sends one they think I should try. I’m not going to pretend that doesn’t happen, because it does, and pretending otherwise would be kind of a joke.
But here’s the thing — it doesn’t change the number. Doesn’t matter if I paid $15 for it or it showed up in a box for free. The score is the score. Nobody’s getting bumped up because they sent me something nice, and nobody’s getting knocked down because I’m being extra critical just to prove a point.
I built this whole thing — the 100-point system, the four categories — because I wanted a way to be consistent with myself. Flavor’s worth the most because that’s what you’re actually smoking it for. Construction matters because a great-tasting cigar that burns like garbage isn’t a great cigar. Strength match is huge because a cigar that’s amazing for one guy can wreck somebody else’s whole night. And value — because at some point, price has to mean something.
The whole search for the perfect cigar only works if I’m honest about it. The second I start fudging scores to keep brands happy or make myself look good, this whole project is pointless. So I just don’t do that. That’s it.