My own blind reviews?

[beltjones]

Has anyone ever done their own blind reviews?

Here's my idea: I'll go into the humidor and replace the bands on about 20 similarly-shaped cigars with blanks. I'll number the blanks and record which number corresponds to which actual cigar in a spreadsheet I put together to track the contents of my wineador.

In a couple of weeks I won't remember which number goes with which cigar, so then when I smoke one I'll be able to so something of a "blind" review, if only for my own purposes.

What do you guys think? Is this a dumb idea?

 

[irie]

I think you need a second person to do the numbering/logging.

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

Not a dumb idea, but having a second person to do the logging would help a lot, especially if you have an excellent memory, like me. :d

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Nvm...

 

[beltjones]

Not a dumb idea, but having a second person to do the logging would help a lot, especially if you have an excellent memory, like me. :d

I do have a good memory, but I think if I did, say, 20 robustos that are all somewhat similar in wrapper shade I think I will likely forget which is which within a few weeks.

 

[StogieNinja]

Yeah, but you'll know it was one of 20 robustos, and you'll be trying to figure out which is what, which will detract from the experience and the fun. (I know, cause I tried this).

More fun is to send some cash to someone you trust to pick out some cigars and label them for you. That way you don't even know if it's something you've had in your stash or not.

 

[CWS]

Here are some ideas:

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/50140-how-about-blind-reviews?highlight=blind+reviews

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/38038-Newbie-blind-reviews?highlight=blind+reviews

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/59946-FttF-Blind-Reviews-II?highlight=blind+reviews

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

As a side note, why do you want to do a blind review? What about doing a regular review of a stick you have never smoked?

 

[Stogie_Bear]

As a side note, why do you want to do a blind review? What about doing a regular review of a stick you have never smoked?

^^^ this

 

[javajunkie]

As a side note, why do you want to do a blind review? What about doing a regular review of a stick you have never smoked?

actually, coming at something without preconceptions can change your viewpoint. something may suck that you loved, or be elevated to the sublime from yard gar status. OR. you may figure out WHY you liked or dislikes something, actually peg it down, once the reveal comes.

we all get caught up in packaging, branding, and hype, and there is nothing wrong with that, but there is a freedom to going at something blind. we all have problems with impartiality, especially with sensory information.

EDIT: also, second the idea of helping hands. have a buddy or the significant other pull a selection, tag them with numbers, then write the corresponding numbers on the back of the bands and keep them. when you're through, ask for them back.

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

Another idea would be to go to your local, ask one of the tobacconists to pick you a smoke within X amount, pull off the band(s) and give it to you. When you're done, ask for the band back. Then compare your notes to online reviews.

 

[beltjones]

I like the idea of sending someone some cash, and I like the idea of having the tobacconist help, but I kind of need to create some room in my humidor rather than buy more stuff to put in it.

I already spoke to a couple of buddies, and the next time we go to our favorite cigar bar we're going to each go into the humidor separately, pick out something for another person, take off the label, and thus none of us will know exactly what we're smoking.

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

I like the idea of sending someone some cash, and I like the idea of having the tobacconist help, but I kind of need to create some room in my humidor rather than buy more stuff to put in it.

I already spoke to a couple of buddies, and the next time we go to our favorite cigar bar we're going to each go into the humidor separately, pick out something for another person, take off the label, and thus none of us will know exactly what we're smoking.

Brilliant!!!

As for making room in your humidor, take one or two each for your buddies, bandless, and send them home with them. Let them blind review those.

 

[beltjones]

Boom.

On the backside of each of those bands is the name of the cigar. When I smoke one I'll slip the band off, put it in my pocket, and not look at it until I'm finished with the cigar. These are obviously all robustos, but I think I can do the same thing with a group of Toros if I enjoy this experience.

 

[Hoshneer]

This looks like a fun idea.

 

[ZaneG]

Make sure you post up your review and the answer!

 

[Bernardini]

Great idea, not dumb at all. I was involved in a blind pass once, it was a blast and really helped me focus on flavors moving forward.

Best,

Andy

 

[Splatt]

I might do something like this myself in the near future, great idea