Should Price Be a Factor For Cigar Reviews?

[Yarddog]

I'm one of those folks who read and consider cigar reviews, whether by so-called professionals, or by run of the mill smokers like you and me. I've discovered a number of blends that I've come to consider as a perennial humidor inhabitant.

But, some reviewers think the price point of a stick is important, and others don't consider it a factor at all...especially the blind reviewers, but of course, that would be obvious.

So, my question to all y'all is...should the cost of a stogie be considered when reviewing one?

To answer my own question...my opinion is absolutely! There are a number of sticks I've smoked that I consider to be in the stratosphere of price points, which in my personal world is anything over fifteen, sixteen bucks. I've had an Opus X Lost City, Liga Privada #9, Padron 1926, a Diamond Crown Julius Caeser, and a few others...and NONE of these have impressed me enough to say that they were any better than those I paid a lot for...to me, if I'm gonna spend $28 on a ceegar, it had damn well impress...and none of these were any better than some of the sticks I paid five bux for...and to me, that's an important issue.

Were I to review a cigar, price point would definitely be one of the factors...and I consider it important when reading a review. I give more credibility to reviews where that's a factor.

What say you?

[gordo1473]

I think price point is a factor.a $20 stick better be a better smoke than a $5 stick. Just because it's expensive don't mean it's good and vice versa.

[Tombstone]

Yes it should. There are good good cigars out there that are over priced. Its like anything else in life. Take into consideration price versus overall performance and make purchases based on that.

[Slowpokebill]

I think price should be mentioned in a review. I don't think if part of the review is giving a smoke some sort of rating it should be a factor in the rating. The reason I don't think it should be part of the rating if you give point or weight to price in your rating a so so tasting stick can get a boost because of a low cost. Conversely, an expensive but pretty decent stick can get a lower rating because of high price. I think flavor and construction should only be part of the rating that way if I see a four star or 90 rated smoke I have an idea of how much I might like it then I can decide if want to pay the required fair.

[Cardinal]

I'm with Bill - for me the price should be noted in the review, but shouldn't change the score. If a guy gives a 90 to a $5 cigar and a $20 one, then I know which I'll probably try first.

I'd need to see a pretty elaborate explanation to help me understand how much the score is affected by each dollar of price. Too complicated!

[Laynard]

I factor in price for my overall opinion. And price has two facets for me: what I actually paid and what the manufacturer thinks it's worth (MSRP). What I paid weighs heavier, but even if I got it for $3 and the MSRP is $30, I might think less of the marca if IMO it should be $3-$4.

[Lynn]

...(MRSP) never in my life paid that one.....price is a big factor with me, want a bargain..a good rating, review with the right price an its pp.

[Bruck]

+1 on price being mentioned but not factored in to a review. I look at it this way - I read a review to help inform a future buying decision. I'm going to look the price up anyway, so why not just tell me up front?

Re MSRP - total fiction.

[Nature]

I don't think price should play a factor in a review rating, but my purchase consideration certainly does; whether I get the price from the review or my own research. I think it should be included information in the review.

A consistent rating score irrespective of price allows one to see how a cigar compares head
-head. It would be ideal if price was not revealed to the rater until after reviewing. I think cost can have an effect on the perceptions, both positive and negative.

There is a place for price comparative reviews for example in a "cigars under $5", or other price point breakdowns.

[bluenoser]

A review I do for my own opinions factors in cost. Was it worth what I paid? Would I buy it again at that cost?

If I'm reading someone else's review I'm interested in their opinion on the price but put less stock in it. It may not be worth $10 to you but might be the best stick I've ever had. How would I know if I take the reviewer's opinion on the price point to heart.

Just my