Ratings, schmatings ... I remember the first time I went into a cigar store that had displayed the ratings of the various cigars ... in answer to a question I asked, I was shown the rating, as if that were the answer to my question ... implication was, if it was rated an 89, it was by definition better than if it were rated 88 ...
Well, as someone else in this forum recently wrote, I might have been born at night, but not LAST night ... I sure as hell don't know everything, but know enough to realize that taste varies widely from one individual to another ...
That particular store has long since thrown out the little ratings signs ... I recommend you all do the same ... pay absolutely NO attention to the rating, it means absolutely NOTHING other than it is someone elses OPINION, not a fact and that other person (or panel of people) might have their opinion swayed by a number of factors not the least of which is $$$$$$$ ...
Smoke different cigars, remember which ones you like and which ones you don't ... buy and smoke more of the ones you like ... period.