If, as you say taste varies, then why is there a review section at all? It means nothing to anyone except the reviewer, because taste varies.................
Its a nice idea, but since we already have a review section, its kind of redundant, don't you think? How many cigars are out there currently being produced or have been produced? Could you imagine the size of the database needed to catalog such a vast list?
Reviews are not the end all be all of rating a cigar. Its meant to have a place to post ones "experience" with a cigar if they want to. To me, it would be the same as if we had such a database with a rating of 1-10 such as you suggested, except it wouldn't have the personal feel because it would just be a cumalative total of members "experiences" with said cigar. I would likely end up just searching the review forum anyways, so at that point, whats the use of it?
I subscribe to Cigar Aficionado and in each magazine they have kind of what you speak of. Lots of "reviews" every issue, that are basically just a "rating" with a little blurb about taste. Of course I am thinking you want the experiences of the general population here (instead of a magazine with "paid" reveiwers) and I completely understand that. However, if taste doesn't vary, as I think you suggest, then why not just buy their magazine and run with what they say? Why look here at all?
The other day I posted my first ever review of a cigar that I thought was a complete and utter dog. A piece of crap as you say. Other people joined in to comment how they had better experiences with said cigar. You can't pick that up off a "number". If I say its a 1, and 3 others say its an 8, thats an average score of 6.25. Now thats all you have and 6.25 rating on a 1-10 scale isn't great but it isn't crap either. So you go and buy a box because they are $3 MSRP/each, and a box costs you only $60. You pull one out, try it and then gag. Now your left with a $60 box of crap and wondering why this thing was rated a 6.25.
If you do a search on a forum for a type of cigar, and you read some reviews before choosing, isn't that better? Its still going to be hit or miss but wouldn't it give you a better overall feel?
Like I said its a nice idea, I just don't think its easy to implement or adds enough value to do so.