Do you remember?

[Hunter1974]

do you remember putting so much faith into what you read in Cigar aficionado magazine thinking all those idiots paying for Cubans while I am smoking the current cigar of the year for 1/3 the price. All of those low scoring Cubans oh those poor little cigar snobs . Well it wouldn't be so bad if they actually new how to score Nc . There are some decent non Cubans it kills me when I see a las antillas out score a an Avo xo or a 601 green oscuro much less anything Cuban Partagas,H.Upmann Bolivar etc right now I'm smoking a Monte Montecristo non Cuban and yes its in top 25 and yes it's been properly humidored!! Is it smokeable yes not bad my personal rating 78 would be right below my worst Cuban an Rand J mF which I gave an 80 just going through my Many Ncs to make room for some mediocre Cubans . And BTW IF SOMEONE WANTS SOME TOP NCs for those bottom of the rung CCs I'll let you take advantage of me !lol

[PuroDan]

Not a fan of CA!! I will admit I used to be "one of those guys" who trusted it. Here's how it works with CA. The more you advertise the higher your rating is. Every once in a while they throw a Cuban or two in to keep it real. I understand they are in business to make money, but as for what they say: its geared to move sticks for NC dog rocket companies. Why would I spend $12 bucks on some average/below average bouquet blend, "cubanesque" NC, when I can smoke a very rich and complex Bolivar CJ puro for $4.This is just my opinion. A decent NC like an opus x or a padron costs way to much. For less money you can smoke a Lusi which is way better IMHO. If for some reason I couldn't get Cuban cigars anymore, I would hang my hat and retire from smoking cigars, and stick to Copenhagen Snuff.I am not saying all NC's are bad. Im saying im not gonna buy em, thats all. Remember this is just my opinion. I'm not trying to offend anyone

[Hunter1974]

Imho Cigar Aficionado is a joke man!!! I will admit I used to be "one of those guys" who trusted it. Here's how it works with CA. The more you advertise the higher your rating is. Every once in a while they throw a Cuban or two in to keep it real. I understand they are in business to make money, but as for what they say: its geared to move sticks for NC dog rocket companies. Why would I spend $12 bucks on some average/below average NC, when I can smoke a very rich and complex Bolivar CJ for $4.This is just my opinion. A decent NC like an opus x or a padron costs way to much. For less money you can smoke a Lusi which is way better IMHO. If for some reason I couldn't get Cuban cigars anymore, I would hang my hat and retire from smoking cigars, and stick to Copenhagen Snuff.I am not saying all NC's are bad. Im saying im not gonna buy em, thats all. Remember this is just my opinion. I'm not trying to offend anyone

that's right bud lol and Copenhagen ain't bad when your tearing the fish up and can't get a free hand to light a cigar!!lol

[PuroDan]

that's right bud lol and Copenhagen ain't bad when your tearing the fish up and can't get a free hand to light a cigar!!lol

Copenhagen while ripping lip. Then to celebrate I smoke a Cuban classic!!!

[Hunter1974]

Copenhagen while ripping lip. Then to celebrate I smoke a Cuban classic!!!

lmao while giving them soar mouth it's Copenhagen and Budweiser celebration of success is scotch and Cubans Just call me country with culture lmao

[earthson]

After smoking a few CC, I realized that CA answered to their advertising. I remember when Casa Magna was cigar of the year - I tried one and found it to be a boring, standard Nicaraguan.

I do remember reading an interesting article in there... once. It was about how different soil mineral levels produced different ashes on a cigar.

[CaptainQuintero]

I think the magazine would struggle to pull in income if their top 25 was made up of 20 Cubans. Cuba isn't going to pay for advertising.

The NC companies which do would see no return for their advertising payments if cc cigars were constantly rated higher than theirs, and their owners paid no fees.

It will be interesting to see how the magazine evolves when the embargo ends.

[PuroDan]

After smoking a few CC, I realized that CA answered to their advertising. I remember when Casa Magna was cigar of the year - I tried one and found it to be a boring, standard Nicaraguan.

I do remember reading an interesting article in there... once. It was about how different soil mineral levels produced different ashes on a cigar.

That and fertilizers that are added. Here's the thing everybody and thier momma in the NC dog rocket biz has been trying to emulate Cuban soil. Cuban taste,Cuban growing conditions, Cuban everything. They even market after it.Cubanesque, Cuban seed, Cuban blend ect. From what I hear, Cuban soil from the PDR region has a lot more magnesium in it. Just hear say though. The best growing conditions, soil, and seeds come from Cuba. Hence the best cigars in the world also come from Cuba :-). Have you ever seen Cuba advertise Nicaraguan Blend. There is a reason for that my friend

[PuroDan]

I think the magazine would struggle to pull in income if their top 25 was made up of 20 Cubans. Cuba isn't going to pay for advertising.

The NC companies which do would see no return for their advertising payments if cc cigars were constantly rated higher than theirs, and their owners paid no fees.

It will be interesting to see how the magazine evolves when the embargo ends.

Amen to that

[Smallclub]

The best growing conditions, soil, and seeds come from Cuba.

Not exactly actually, like a top veguero explained in a video posted here. The cuban soil is not that rich and the tobacco plants get their strenght in their struggle to find the nutrients they need.

The volcanic soil of Nicaragua is much richer, it can produce gigantic plants and leaves easily…

And keep in mind that the cubans are at the forefront of research on black tobacco.

[1fastmach1]

I often skim through the newest CA magazine as I smoke a cigar at the local lounge. LOTS of advertisements!

[gcman68]

I don't think the issue is a black and white as it is made out to be. My casual observations are that the CC cigars rated in the magazine rate as high or higher than NC on a regular basis. For obvious reasons there are lot more NC rated and scored but what it comes down to is CA has said that a large part of their scoring system (for top 25) is based on consistency. It has been said they purchase just like anyone else would. I doubt they buy full boxes of each cigar they rate so I would expect that they buy enough singles each round of tasting for whomever is on the tasting panel. If you assume that is true, and the emphasis is on consistency, then the scoring in the top 25 makes more sense to me. I am glad to be able to use a vendor I trust to help to reduce that variable as much as possible. If the CA panel smoked PSP cigars every time I suspect that the top 25 ratings might be different.

Just my thoughts.

[rtrimbath]

Has anyone ever found a definitive link to CA basing ratings off of advertising revenue, or is it just conjecture?

[PuroDan]

Not exactly actually, like a top veguero explained in a video posted here. The cuban soil is not that rich and the tobacco plants get their strenght in their struggle to find the nutrients they need.

The volcanic soil of Nicaragua is much richer, it can produce gigantic plants and leaves easily

And keep in mind that the cubans are at the forefront of research on black tobacco.

Cuba's soil is volcanic as well???Bigger doesn't mean better. Just because something is bigger doesn't mean its better, or higher in quality. Just like with wine. Does the best grape come from the biggest vine? I have read different things on Cuban soil,that go both ways. One vegueros video doesn't mean its a fact. It could be, but we ought to leave those things to the scientists not the cowboys.

[Ginseng]

Statistically? That would be fascinating to see.

However, I suspect the truth is more pedestrian than sinister. More an acknowledgement that US ad dollars pay the bills than a direct quid pro quo with any manufacturers specifically.

In my view, they are simply taking care of business rather than engaging in pay to play.

Wilkey

[Smallclub]

Cuba's soil is volcanic as well???Bigger doesn't mean better. Gigantic on size but not on flavor imho. Just like with wine. Does the best grape come from the biggest vine? I have read different things on Cuban soil,that go both ways. One vegueros video doesn't mean its a fact. It could be, but we ought to leave those things to the scientists not the cowboys.

No cuban's soil is NOT volcanic and please read my post again, obviously something escapes you. Where did I say "richer and bigger = better"?

[PuroDan]

Statistically? That would be fascinating to see.

However, I suspect the truth is more pedestrian than sinister. More an acknowledgement that US ad dollars pay the bills than a direct quid pro quo with any manufacturers specifically.

In my view, they are simply taking care of business rather than engaging in pay to play.

Wilkey

Yeah, I have just noticed a few things when it comes to CA. Doesn't make it fact though. Just my opinion, and I could be wrong.

[PuroDan]

No cuban' soil is not volcanic and please read my post again, obviously something escapes you. Where did I say "richer and bigger = better"?

There are no actual volcanoes in Cuba,(some off the coast though) but Cuban soil has volcanic sediment in it. You didn't say bigger was better at all. I was just pointing something out.

[Firebender]

It's a problem. Maybe CA should separate ratings for NC and CC, or don't rate CC..

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[Smallclub]

There are no actual volcanoes in Cuba,(some off the coast though) but Cuban soil has volcanic sediment in it.

These volcanic sediment is extremely old, located, and submitted to metamorphism.

[PuroDan]

It's a problem. Maybe CA should separate ratings for NC and CC, or don't rate CC..

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I agree!!!

[Colt45]

However, I suspect the truth is more pedestrian than sinister.

In my view, they are simply taking care of business rather than engaging in pay to play.

Why let that get in the way of torches and pitchforks

[Ginseng]

True. When I am tempted to consider diabolical motivations, Arendt's Banality of Evil is called to mind.

Wilkey

[Dozerhead]

After smoking a few CC, I realized that CA answered to their advertising. I remember when Casa Magna was cigar of the year - I tried one and found it to be a boring, standard Nicaraguan.

I do remember reading an interesting article in there... once. It was about how different soil mineral levels produced different ashes on a cigar.

Heck, I remember years ago they gave the Oxyx Mini belicoso a rating of 94! I was a shmuck and ran out and bought a bunch of those damn things thinking they would be sublime. They were okay, but nothing special, imo. Back then I was far more impressionable and naive when it came to CA's ratings and relatvely new to cigar smoking. The only palate I've learned to trust is my own. I will try new things based on some recommendations but I no longer make rash cigar purchases or put stock into things like ratings, especially CA's because it's all subjective. Whether their ratings are based on ad revenue is also irrelevant to me, but I have always thought it odd that some years only 2 to 3 CC's make it into their top 25.

They have some good articles from time to time but I stopped subscribing years ago because the cigar content (other than the ads) is relatively small to the rest of the magazine. It's more a lifestyle magazine these days than anything else, imho.

[PaulP]

After smoking a few CC, I realized that CA answered to their advertising. I remember when Casa Magna was cigar of the year - I tried one and found it to be a boring, standard Nicaraguan.

I do remember reading an interesting article in there... once. It was about how different soil mineral levels produced different ashes on a cigar.

I have heard that Fidel Castro personally outbid all of the NC cigar manufacturers in 2013 to secure the #1 rating for the Monte 2 in anticipation of the end of the US embargo and the opening of the US to cc.