The Vacation Effect: Are we tasting the tobacco or the view?

[Ski18]

I've been thinking lately about how much our environment bias actually impacts our ratings. I can smoke a PSD4 on a beach with a drink in the hand and think to myself that this cigar is a 94-point masterpiece. Conversely, I have smoked a CoRo after a long day of work and I did not get the same feeling as the PSD4 on the beach. Does anyone else believe our environment and/or mood impacts our rating? 

 

[tbelle7]

Absolutely.

[Allroz]

I do think environment plays a role, however, I also find how intentional I am impacts my enjoyment too (good or bad).

[Gemini_Man]

For sure. The view, company, pairings; many external influences to the performance of a cigar.

[unaslob]

The stick is only part of the experience. It can play a major role or minor. Both good and bad. 

[Lucas Buck]

I only fully trust my ratings if smoking alone in one of my usual spots. 

[Li Bai]

Our environment, our mood, the band or lack thereof, who gave it to you, its pricepoint, pretty much everything can play a part...

The mind is a tricky b*stard 🤯

[ha_banos]

It's a fair question. But a bad cigar is a bad cigar and a good one is a good one. The consistency problem is real. The question is how much does it influence 'the score'? A lot? A bit? I'd say a bit. And how much does it influence the enjoyment? I'd say a lot!

After all if one is dancing with a pretty lady, the music can well be anything!

 

[JohnS]

Bias can definitely taint things. The trick is to recognise that 'bias' and try to be objective as possible with the cigar at hand.

[Glass Half Full]

All of the above, ...plus don't forget your expectations!  

It's a lot easier for that PSD4 experience to shine if you expected little from it other than a fun, relaxing time.  Meanwhile, if you expected to be "wow-ed" by the Cohiba, it can be hard for such a relatively mild, easygoing cigar (IMO) to deliver a superlative surprise.