Cigar Weekly

Jason Bolt (jb)

When reading cigar reviews, different people will have different preferences. Some will look for light reading, or maybe a humorous take, on the cigar smoking experience. Others may look for a very analytical review of a certain cigar that deals with construction, price and quality. Ultimately, however, any cigar review aims to provide one essential thing: an opinion as to whether or not the cigar in question is good or bad. In this respect, the most valuable review is the one that provides that information along with a supporting rationale. And the sort of review most likely to provide such information is an objective, reliable review. If a review isn’t free from bias and/or distraction, or is subconsciously tainted, it really isn’t worth anything. A review needs to be standardized.

When I set out to review a cigar, I follow a certain process. I need to be comfortable when I review. Comfy clothes, comfy chair and weather neither too hot nor cold. I need to be clean (not getting too personal here - I simply mean if I’ve been sweating and working, sore, tired, etc., I will be distracted and thus subconsciously swayed). So what is really needed in order to obtain a 'perfect' review?

Beverage- I usually drink water only. Sometimes, I may drink something else. But that liquid has to be what I would refer to as a standardized beverage. This means a drink I have paired with so many cigars I have a solid frame of reference for how it may influence subtleties. I avoid special drinks that one would 'pair' with cigars unless I am specifically looking to analyze the pairing. For example, if I am interested in how the latest home roasted batch of Bolivian organic pairs with a Monte 4, I will certainly check that out. Otherwise, I leave out beverage selections that possess their own unique tastes, as they could cloud my judgment of the cigar itself.

Surroundings- I need to be in a standardized place. For me, this is usually my comfy chair on the back porch. I don’t want to be influenced, positively or negatively, by my surroundings. I may have my computer in front of me to type, but I won’t be reading or watching TV. I don’t want to concentrate on anything other than the cigar at hand. That’s not to say that one cannot enjoy a cigar while engaging in other activities. Most of my daily, relaxing cigar smoking involves surfing my usual haunts on the web. This activity doesn’t distract me, as it has become a routine. Still, if I am going to write a technical review of a cigar, I won’t even do that. Furthermore, my reviews are almost always of first or second-time smokes, or of cigars I haven’t visited with in quite a while (and thus don’t have any preconceived notions of). Once I get started, I give the review cigar my undivided attention.

Weather- I need to be comfortable. Thankfully, in the summer, I can be comfortable in shorts and a shirt even if it is warm out. When it cools off, I can still be totally at peace with 55ºF or so. If I’m too hot or too cold, my smoking pace may be altered even without my realizing it. Too much wind (or too little) can also be a deal breaker. If it is dead still outside, I will often have a fan pointed in a direction other than right at me to keep a little air moving. I feel weather conditions can alter my experience, so I won't review a cigar if I’m not comfortable.

People- While I enjoy smoking with other people, I usually only smoke cigars I am familiar with during herfs and other social gatherings. In those situations, a cigar lends itself well to the social setting. But then, I’m not in a position to concentrate my focus on the cigar in my hand. During a review, I want to be able to maintain a state of relaxed concentration. Conversations can distract from subtle nuances, and can affect the pace at which I smoke.

Lighter- I try to light all review cigars with a lighter I use daily. Soft flame or torch may be used depending on the circumstances, but I want a lighter that I know works and does not distract me. If I know that this Blazer usually can get a lancero roasting in ten seconds and never require a relight, yet I’m having trouble keeping a cigar lit, I can be pretty sure the problem isn’t due to the lighter.

Time of day- I usually conduct all formal reviews between the hours of 9pm and 11pm. Oftentimes, this is my first cigar of the day - or if I was lucky enough to smoke one at work, it would have been several hours ago. My young ones are in bed, and either my work is done for the day or I’ve reached a quitting point. Distractions are minimized.

Other influences- If I’m sick, tired or overly stressed (which I am usually not), I won’t review a particular cigar at that time.

Provenance- I only review cigars I've obtained (myself) from reliable sources. I may review a cigar obtained from a friend or fellow smoker, but only if that individual is someone I explicitly trust to have kept the cigar well cared for in a controlled environment. I won’t formally review a cigar 'right off the truck'. I keep all my smokes at 65% relative humidity, and usually dry box a cigar for a day or two before smoking it.

Everyone will have their own list of factors that play into the objectivity and standardization of a review. Am I a little OCD? Absolutely. But I find that by following the guidelines outlined above, I can provide an objective review that bests allows me to impartially evaluate the cigar as well as to reveal my likes and dislikes.

Jason Bolt is an emergency services administrator and has also worked in the retail cigar business.  He has been a regular cigar smoker for ten years and has been a regular in internet cigar forums and at herfs for almost as long.  Besides cigars, he also enjoys home roasting coffee, cooking, and being outdoors with his wife, children and Boston Terriers.