When grading, it can be asked as to how I grade, and why. Well, the why is simple so I will just get that out of the way. I love cigars. I also love good company, which a fellow cigar smoker is.
I do most of my grading at Little Havana Tobacco in Anoka, MN. Please follow the link and take a peek. I like doing my sampling in comfort. Helps with concentration. Steve and Lea (friends and owners) are very sure you enjoy your smoke. They also like to hear what I say, for I can be a tough teacher. Owners want to hear your take as well. Helps them pick out good inventory.
First thing I do when grading is find out about the cigar. The wrapper, binder, and filler. Offcial websites usually have this info, but if not, try an online retailer. Usually they do as well.
Next is look at the feel. Is it uneven in firmness, or is the color of the wrap uneven? Now, this does not make or break a cigar, but it can tell you what to expect.
Next is the smoke. I let the smoke hold in my mouth, then press my tongue against the roof of my mouth, helps trap some flavor. Hold the smoke for at least ten seconds, I would say, to get a nice, complex flavor. After blowing out the smoke, lick the top of your mouth again, see what flavor stays. Are these flavors consistant? Do some appear or disappear during the smoke? Does it remain, or turn sour (I have had cigars go "Dr. Jekell, Mr. Hyde" as Steve puts it)?
Next is construction. This goes back to how it looks and feels, but in this, it is draw and burn. Did the cigar produce a good smoke easily? Was the burn consistant and even? Did it go out quickly? Now, these you have to consider the shape. Some are meant to go out easily or have a firm draw. Most should not be this way though.
Next is price. This is also where shape and size come in too. Lets say you bought a Robusto shaped cigar for $20. It was good, but not worth that. It might bring the grade down. Now, let us say it was the same cigar, same price, but instead, it was a Double Toro. Now you are getting a longer smoke. Might be worth more of your time and worthy of a better grade. One thing to consider if you are reading from a state other than Minnesota, or a country other than the United States, is that taxes are different. Minnesota has a 70% wholesale tax, so a $10 cigar becomes $17, and that does not include mark up to pay for overhead.
Also consider where you buy them when considering price. If it is a standard smoke shop, overhead is less, so the cigar is less. If it is nice, overhead can be more, but you are paying for that nice environment. I perfer to spend a buck or two more for a nice place to smoke.
Grading is the last part. This comes down to you. Each cigar is like an art project. What is the final grade? Some things could be good, whereas other not so good. So, it is not an A, but not an F either. Is it just average in the end?
Favorites can get in the way of this. I had trouble reviewing an Onyx. First Maduro I had and loved. I am biased to it. There is another one I have not put up here yet due to that. I am trying to be unbiased. It may hold a special place in your heart, and in a memory, but that does not make it a "good" cigar. What I am looking at is for everyone. You can mention that it holds a special place, thus your personal grade. Others may not agree and wonder why something so average, or bad, gets such a good grade. I try and avoid this by letting people know if I have a special bias, as to take that grade with a different view.
I hope this was informative to you. Keep smoking those cigars, keep enjoying them, and let me know which ones I should add on here.
