Should Price Be a Factor For Cigar Reviews?

I'm with Blake. I find that the price point will mainly form part of my own opinion on the cigar when I smoke it, rather than when I read a review. From there it will play its biggest part under my mental "would I buy this again?" Heading. I'd like to think that the overall quality of a cigar could be distinctly seperate from the value of a cigar - where value is a result of overall quality compared to price. For instance a $2 stick might be a 6/10 cigar, while next to it, the $8 stick might be an 8/10 cigar (personal ratings given according to one's own taste); the pricier stick may undoubtedly be a better cigar, but I would consider the lower priced stick better value, and would likely stock, and smoke more of them, saving the better stick for special occasions.

Having a fairly modest smoking budget means that I usually consider how much enjoyment I will get per dollar, which often, but not always, will lead me to buy more budget conscious sticks that I still enjoy smoking. In turn this is based on that value factor.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Good answers! I don't think that if one is gonna include the price point in their numerical ratings that there's any way to be objective about it. It's gonna be a subjective factor, but then again isn't that the way that cigar ratings roll anyway? I know that I've found some reviewers whose palates and opinions pretty much match my own, and when they like something a lot, I'll pull the trigger on a fiver anyway...there are some cigars that overall the ratings seem to be excellent, and those I'll try too...but the price point comes in NOT when I buy the first time...but the second!

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Originally Posted by T.E.Fox

I'm with Blake. I find that the price point will mainly form part of my own opinion on the cigar when I smoke it, rather than when I read a review. From there it will play its biggest part under my mental "would I buy this again?" Heading. I'd like to think that the overall quality of a cigar could be distinctly seperate from the value of a cigar - where value is a result of overall quality compared to price. For instance a $2 stick might be a 6/10 cigar, while next to it, the $8 stick might be an 8/10 cigar (personal ratings given according to one's own taste); the pricier stick may undoubtedly be a better cigar, but I would consider the lower priced stick better value, and would likely stock, and smoke more of them, saving the better stick for special occasions.



Having a fairly modest smoking budget means that I usually consider how much enjoyment I will get per dollar, which often, but not always, will lead me to buy more budget conscious sticks that I still enjoy smoking. In turn this is based on that value factor.

Hopefully that makes sense.

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Sure does make sense to me. Good deal of clear thinking there.

Price should affect a cigar's review, since as with all things, the relative value is important.

I mean, sure, the newest Italian sports car probably is a lot more fun to drive than my Volt, but considering a new second generation one can be had for $33k -$10k in rebates and tax credit in California, that is important too. (versus $100k+ for an exotic sports car)

I don't think it needs to be mentioned in the reviewer's notes or commentary, but it should be included in the objective data section (vitola, origin, rg, price, etc.)

Should price increase or lower a rating on a cigar review? No. However, it should be taken into consideration because price is in fact a factor. A cigar should be reviewed based on it's characteristics. While price is not an actual smoking characteristic of a cigar it has to be taken into consideration. For example: An Olivia Melanio Robusto goes for $10. An Ashton Symmetry Robusto goes for $12. Personally, the Melanio is 3x better than the Symmetry. However, I like the Symmetry as a cigar..but not at that price point. To me the Symmetry is better priced around $8 or less (Robusto).

Therefore, price is a factor. Same can be said for the majority of the Davidoff line. To me they are just well made cigars, but have very little flavor. I'd rather smoke a $8 My Father El Centurion than a $15 Davidoff.