Editorial Standards & Testing Process
ValueCigarOfTheYear.com was created to recognize exceptional premium cigars at $9 MSRP or less through structured evaluation, blind testing, and head-to-head competition. Our results are based on smoking performance—not advertising, sponsorship, popularity, or brand reputation.
Independent Evaluation
Cigar companies cannot purchase a ranking, championship position, favorable score, or inclusion in the Official Field. Advertising and commercial relationships do not influence evaluation results.
Cigars may be purchased directly, obtained through retailers or distributors, or submitted for consideration. The source of a cigar does not affect how it is evaluated.
Blind Testing
Before scoring, each contender is presented without visible branding whenever possible. The evaluation panel judges the cigar based on the smoking experience rather than its name, packaging, price, manufacturer, or reputation.
The Ashology™ Scoring System
Official Field cigars are evaluated across six categories:
- Construction
- Draw
- Burn
- Flavor Complexity
- Balance
- Finish
Each category is worth up to five points, producing a maximum Ashology™ Score of 30 points.
Scores help document performance, but advancement is determined through the complete evaluation process and head-to-head competition—not by reputation or popularity.
Competition Structure
The competition begins with cigars reviewed for the annual Evaluation Pool. Thirty-two cigars are then selected for the Official Field.
The Official Field competes through:
- Eight four-cigar groups
- Value 16
- Grand 8
- Final Smokeout
- Championship Match
Every advancing cigar must continue performing as the competition becomes more demanding.
Consistency and Additional Evaluations
If an individual cigar displays an unusual construction defect or a matchup is too close to determine fairly, an additional sample may be evaluated before a final decision is made. No result is changed because of outside pressure from a manufacturer, advertiser, retailer, or consumer.
Conflicts and Transparency
Any material relationship that could reasonably affect an evaluation will be disclosed. A panel member with a direct conflict will not independently control the outcome of that cigar’s evaluation.
The identities of individual evaluators may remain private to protect the independence of the testing process. However, the evaluation standards, scoring categories, competition format, and final results are made publicly available.
Corrections Policy
We correct factual errors involving cigar names, manufacturers, tobacco information, sizes, factories, and competition records when reliable information becomes available. Corrections do not alter independent tasting judgments or competition outcomes unless a documented scoring or reporting error occurred.
Our Promise
Every cigar is judged on its own merits. No company can buy the title of Cigar of the Year.
The purpose of Ashology™ is not to tell smokers what they must enjoy. It is to provide a consistent, transparent, and independent system for evaluating premium cigars and celebrating outstanding craftsmanship.