Cigar recommendation engine

[Habana Mike]

I've been involved in a project for almost a year now that involves smoking and analyzing a lot of cigars blind. The input I and a few other 'analysts' provided have gone in to a database of cigar characteristics (construction, burn, aromas, flavors, balance, strength, value for the buck, etc.).

Anyway there's now close to 1200 cigars from across the board (standard NC stuff, boutiques, limited releases, Habanos, and more).

The principals of the project have recently gone live with a website designed to learn an individual's profile and preferences so as to recommend cigars they believe he or she would enjoy based on the analysis compared to his likes.

While probably most useful for the newer smoker in particular, there's value in this for anyone. Even with years of smoking experience, through the process I've been recommended cigars I may never have tried otherwise and some have been fantastic for me. As well I've found quite a few new favorites through the blind tastings along with a few that just don't sit with my palate.

It is a subscription site and while I am affiliated do not have any financial stake. I do however get to smoke several cigars a week at no cost to me!

The value proposition is that while there is a moderate monthly subscription, by avoiding one cigar that you aren't particularly going to enjoy you've saved the cost of the service. You'll also hopefully find the cigars recommended fit well with your palate.

The site is CigarSense.com - Personalized Expert Cigar Recommendations

One of the premises of the service is that, unlike reviews and general recommendations where your palate may not match theirs, this is designed to learn what you like and make recommendations from that.

Like most, I also use reviews and recommendations to decide on trying new smokes, particularly where I've found the individual has a palate similar to mine though that doesn't necessarily always pan out.

In regard to changing tastes, the profile adviser adjusts and refines your preferences every time you enter tasting notes based on the characteristics of the cigar and how you rated your enjoyment of it.

I checked with Rob in regard to posting about this as it is somewhat commercial in nature, though not tied in to retail in any way, I am really more interested to hear people's opinions on their perceived value of something along these lines than anything else.

So, what do you think?

[GasGuy82]

It sounds pretty cool, I think I would at least consider giving it a go. Really for me it could go one of two ways, enter my findings as I smoke a stick or get lazy and forget to enter my tasting notes. Either way, got my interest.

[bradbrennan]

Pretty cool, Mike! Thanks for all your hard work

[RickHendeson]

It certainly is an interesting concept.

To me, what would be even MORE interesting was to open it wide up and completely crowdsource it. Namely, by upping the subscription price and then sending blind sampler packs to anyone who wants one, letting them input the results. What if the "experts" (the site does use that term) taste things differently than us mere mortals?

Anyway you wanted feedback, that's my thought.

If you guys end up using it in whole or in part, I appreciate my complimentary subscription.

[Habana Mike]

Some good points Rich, thanks for the feedback.

When I first got involved they had me pick up a sampler of various cigars representing a cross-section of characteristics to help establish my preferences. Today your baseline profile is established by rating your preferences and then refining that.

They're not in the business to sell cigars, rather to recommend.

The analysis done by the 'experts' is to establish baselines to compare to your preferences. Granted everyone's palate is different so each cigar is smoked by multiple members with the results consolidated in an attempt to account for this.

Regarding the 'experts', these are among a few. I certainly don't count myself in their company but who's to complain?

Cosimo Attanasi, Italy

Panelist at the national Cigar Club Association (CCA)
Certified Catador
Speaker for the CCA national cigar experts certification program (Catadores)
Writer for the national magazine ‘Sigari!’ specializing in vintage Cuban cigars and single malt scotch whisky
President of Puromotivo Torino Cigar Club
Lover and collector of single malt scotch whisky

Franca Comparetto, USA

Certified Catador
Certified Salesforce Tobacconist (Tobacconist University)
Panelist at Cigar Journal
Writer for the Italian nationwide magazine ‘Sigari!’
Served as Advisor of the Board of the Puromotivo Torino Cigar Club, Italy
Creator of Cigar Sense

Alban Cordier, France

Member of the Tasting Committee of l’Amateur de Cigare
Author of the book ‘ID Reflex’ Cigare, Bien Deguster un Cigare’ Franel Editions, 2010
Panelist and writer for International Amateur de Cigare

Nicola Di Nunzio, Italy

Responsible for the national Cigar Club Association (CCA) panel
Certified Catador
Writer and coordinator for the nationwide magazine ‘Sigari!’, specializing in vintage Cuban cigars and related collectible objects
Member of the Board of the Italian Cigar Club Association (CCA), Treasurer
Treasurer and Secretary of Puromotivo Torino Cigar Club
“Massimo De Giovanni – Uomo CCA 2014″ award winner

Nick Hammond, United Kingdom

Panelist at Cigar Journal
Award winning Cigar Writer
Trained journalist and writer by trade, specialising in Luxury, Travel, Food, Drinks and The Good Life: Cigar Aficionado, Cigar Journal, FT How To Spend It, Mayfair Magazine, Country Life, Cigar & Spirits and more

Martin Odh, Sweden

Panelist at Cigar Journal
Habanos expert at Cigarrummet, Stockholm
Cigar and wine tasting professional
Collector of French and Italian wine

Rajan Rengasamy, United Arab Emirates

Wordwide Habanos Sommelier contest Finalist 3rd place – 2011
Winner of 2010 & 2011 Habanos Sommelier Competition – UAE
Jury expert for the UAE Habanos Sommelier competition contenders
Middle East Sommelier of the year – 2011
Winner of the international ‘Sake sommelier of the Year’ contest – 2013

Reinhold C. Widmayer, Austria

Editor in Chief, Cigar Journal

Anonymous Expert, USA

Lifetime Member and Ambassador of Cigar Rights of America
Moderator of and contributor to many social media cigar related groups
Writer of a cigar blog
Connoisseur of bourbon and coffee; lover of beverage pairings with cigars

Anonymous Expert, USA

Freelance tasting and sensory seminar instructor
Preparing PhD in Sensory Sciences, with a focus on the human experience
Reviews in international cigar forums and Cigar Clan magazine
Bachelor’s with high honors as well as Master’s of Science in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California, Davis
Research on sensory outcomes of viticultural treatments
Engineering degree in Viticulture and Enology from a renowned German research Institution, focus on process engineering and sensory sciences. Professional experience at prestigious wineries in Germany and California

Anonymous Expert, Europe. Has served for many years as:

Member of the board of a national cigar club association
Responsible for a national cigar experts certification program and relevant exams administrator
Panelist at a national cigar club association
Executive supervisor of a nationwide cigar magazine

[PigFish]

... Let me guess...! Match.com

... no that is taken already...! -LOL

Sorry Mike, could not resist a little levity.

Thanks for sharing the info. Good luck on the project. Anything that promotes smoking and is not totally myth based or full of collector BS is a plus in my book, but it does not sound like it will be good 'blind date' for this old pig! Too set in my ways I guess. Never really bought into the whole 'smoking professional' thing.

On a side note, don't sell yourself short. I would take a recommendation from you over any of those guys... I might want to date the Anonymous Expert though... How tall is she? Forget that, how many boxes does she own? Please post a picture of her humidor!!! -LOL

Cheers -R