Cigar Aficionado's top 10 for '14

[shilala]

Originally Posted by mcgoospot

There is no reason whatsoever to inflate the scores of CC's since there are no advertising $$ to be gained from their sale.

Of course there is.
You rate the cc's way up there and then compare a Rocky Patel dogrocket in the same breath, and it conveys the idea that Rocky Patel is capable of making a cigar that is worthy of your money, because it's as good or better than some arbitrary cc.
Rocky buys more ads because you made him a ton of money, and everyone is happy.

The fact that a Rocky Patel anything is anywhere near a top 10 best list of is reason enough to validate that the ratings are manufactured.
This is a guy who takes pride in dragging his tobacco through dye and molasses.
I rest my face.