The way I rate cigars is simple.

It is all about the taste.

While appearance, smoke quality, ash color and other physical aspects of a cigar are important (and I will comment on them, sometimes to distraction), I judge cigars by flavor, and flavor only. As far as I am concerned, while the other factors are something to comment on, I have seen butt ass ugly sticks smoke like a dream, and I have seen some of the most gorgeous looking sticks on the planet taste like a dog turd left out in the sun.

Having said that, the Draw and Burn of a cigar are definitely something that is going to effect a review, since the draw of a cigar will effect the TASTE of the cigar (ie, if it is not drawing well, you are not getting all of the flavors that could be present in the smoke)...

Keep in mind that ALL reviews are subjective, and any comments ya'll have on each review will be read and responded too (if needed).

I have a few rules concerning the cigars I review:

• ALL of the cigars I review are bought and payed for (either with cash or traded with cigars of equal value). None are given as gifts by retailers or other BOTL, as I want to keep everything in my reviews above board. The only exceptions to this are PreProduction cigars, which cannot be purchased, and are reviewed but not given a final score.
• As soon as they are received, every cigar I buy are put into my Vinotemp, and kept at a constant temperature/humidity level of 65/65 for at least one week (and usually longer) before being reviewed...I never know how different cigars are stored before I get them, and I want to make sure that each stick is given the same chance to shine, since a cigar tastes VERY different after being stored at (say) 75% humidity then at 65%.
• The cigar that is photographed for the accompanying photos in each review is always the same cigar that is smoked.
• For Cigar Accessory Reviews, all cigar accessories are purchased at Full Price in order to test them. We also only recommend accessories that we use on a continual basis. Basically, if I don't like it, I don't recommend it.