060: Blind tests, are they worth the effort?

Blind tests or open tests? Are blind tests worth the effort? People have all sorts of opinions about this because there are different purposes for doing tests.

Episode summary

Purposes for blind tests: 1. guide consumers to buy the best cigars for them 2. leisure (hedonic type of tests)

Purposes for open tests: 1. persuade consumers to buy cigars based on symbols 2. decide whether to import/distribute/resell a cigar 3. assess brand or line specificity

Single taster or panel, is there any difference?

The imperative of focus

Advantages of blind tests

Panelists comments: Alban Cordier Zsolt Aranyos Reinhard Pohorec

Biases and tips on how to reduce the effects of an important one

A few fun exercises

References mentioned in the episode:

Predictive confirmation bias: https://www.cigarsense.com/predictive-confirmation-bias-whats-that/

Priming guidelines: https://youtu.be/zaaIZz9ge4E

Learn how to break down the tasting components: https://www.cigarsense.com/courses/a-cigar-tasting-course/