(no subject)
I was flipping through one of my brother's Cigar Aficionado magazines and got to the part where they actually rate recent cigars. Their scale is
CLASSIC: 95-100
OUTSTANDING: 90-94
VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT: 80-89
AVERAGE TO GOOD COMMERCIAL QUALITY: 70-79
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY: 0-70
I can't understand this scheme. It is familiar because it is like school, but I do not see how this familiarity makes it suitable for rating cigars. Why do they devote a full 70 points of their scale to "unsmokable?" I could look through the other 4 or 5 issues in front of the toilet, but it's hard for me to imagine them even printing reviews for cigars under 70. Here's the review for a 93:
A gorgeous reddish-brown torpedo with a perfect draw that intones the palate with a sublime balance of sweet wood, floral notes and an earthy spiciness. The mellow, woody finish makes this a complex medium- to full-bodied cigar.
Here's an 81:
Poorly constructed with a rough cap. The first puff stings of bitter wood that turns markedly charcoal with a faint licorice note. Medium to full bodied, but harsh.
Here's my submission for a 50:
Unimpressive roll, significant veining, still damp with urine of Nicaraguan slave who made it. Opens with overtones of burning hair before literally exploding.
CLASSIC: 95-100
OUTSTANDING: 90-94
VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT: 80-89
AVERAGE TO GOOD COMMERCIAL QUALITY: 70-79
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY: 0-70
I can't understand this scheme. It is familiar because it is like school, but I do not see how this familiarity makes it suitable for rating cigars. Why do they devote a full 70 points of their scale to "unsmokable?" I could look through the other 4 or 5 issues in front of the toilet, but it's hard for me to imagine them even printing reviews for cigars under 70. Here's the review for a 93:
A gorgeous reddish-brown torpedo with a perfect draw that intones the palate with a sublime balance of sweet wood, floral notes and an earthy spiciness. The mellow, woody finish makes this a complex medium- to full-bodied cigar.
Here's an 81:
Poorly constructed with a rough cap. The first puff stings of bitter wood that turns markedly charcoal with a faint licorice note. Medium to full bodied, but harsh.
Here's my submission for a 50:
Unimpressive roll, significant veining, still damp with urine of Nicaraguan slave who made it. Opens with overtones of burning hair before literally exploding.