Should Price Be a Factor For Cigar Reviews?

[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.

[Yarddog]

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!

[allusred]

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.

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

[Zeede]

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)

[Tobias Lutz]

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.)

[FireRunner]

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.