This is the response in total. I did not edit, add, or subtract.
There is some redundancy but that’s expected from the minds of nerds.
Did it freak me out? Yes, it did. I was summarized in 1.7 seconds.

Here we go:
Katman’s cigar reviews are a distinctive and highly personal take on premium cigars, crafted by Phil “Katman” Kohn, a passionate and outspoken cigar aficionado. His reviews are known for their vivid storytelling, detailed flavor breakdowns, and unapologetically honest opinions. Here’s a breakdown of what makes his style stand out:

🔍 What Defines Katman’s Reviews:
• Narrative-Driven: Each review reads like a mini memoir, often weaving in personal anecdotes, humor, and reflections alongside the cigar analysis.
• Flavor Complexity: He dives deep into the sensory experience—describing transitions in flavor, retrohales, and mouthfeel with poetic flair.
• Aging Notes: Katman frequently revisits cigars after months or even years of humidor time, offering insights into how aging affects the profile.
• No-Nonsense Ratings: He avoids lowball scores and tends to rate cigars he genuinely enjoys quite highly, often with a touch of grumpy charm.

🧪 Example Reviews & Highlights:
• Top 21 Cigars of 2024 – A curated list of his highest-rated smokes, all scoring 97 or above. He emphasizes that he only reviews cigars he’s passionate about.
• Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Barba Amarilla 2023 – A revisit of a full-bodied blend with a complex filler mix, aged for three years before re-review.
• Paul Stulac Blue Lightning Sky – Katman Edition – A special release tied to his brand, showcasing his influence in the boutique cigar world.

🛍️ Where to Find His Picks
• Small Batch Cigar – Katman’s Kartel – A curated shop featuring samplers and exclusive releases endorsed by Katman, including his “Perfect 100” and “Top 32” packs.
If you enjoy structured, sensory-rich reviews with a dose of personality and wit, Katman’s style is right up your alley. Want me to break down one of his recent reviews in detail or help you find a cigar that matches your flavor preferences?

Katman’s Top 21 Cigars of 2024 – Summary:
• Rating Philosophy: Katman doesn’t bother with low scores. He’s a self-described “grumpy but generous old man” who only reviews cigars he truly loves—so every cigar on this list scored 97 or higher.
• Tone & Style: The reviews are packed with enthusiasm, sarcasm, and vivid sensory detail. He blends flavor analysis with personal anecdotes and a dose of irreverent humor.
• Cigar Selection: The list includes boutique brands and limited editions, often with complex blends and long aging periods. These are cigars that deliver bold transitions, rich retrohales, and memorable finishes.

How Katman Rates Cigars:
• Selective Reviewing: Katman only reviews cigars he’s genuinely excited about. If a cigar doesn’t impress him, it doesn’t get reviewed—period.
• High Ratings Only: He openly admits to being a “grumpy, but generous, old man” who gives laudatory ratings to cigars he loves. His scores typically start at 97 and go up from there, especially in his annual top lists.
• No Lowball Scores: Unlike other reviewers who might rate a cigar in the 80s or low 90s, Katman avoids what he calls “lowball scores.” His philosophy is: why waste time writing about something mediocre?
• Aging Matters: He often revisits cigars after extended humidor time—sometimes years—to assess how aging transforms the flavor profile. This adds depth and nuance to his ratings.
• Narrative Influence: His reviews are infused with personal stories, humor, and emotional context, which subtly influence how he perceives and scores each cigar.

🧠 What Makes His Ratings Unique:
• Subjective but Transparent: He doesn’t pretend to be objective. His reviews are deeply personal, but he’s upfront about that.
• Flavor Complexity Focus: Ratings are heavily influenced by how well a cigar transitions, the richness of the retrohale, and the balance of strength and nuance.
• Community Trust: Despite the lack of formal structure, many cigar enthusiasts trust Katman’s palate because of his consistency and honesty.
If you’re looking for a cigar that’s earned one of his coveted 97+ scores, I can help you find one that matches your taste preferences. Want something bold and spicy, or smooth and creamy?

Origins of Katman’s Style:
• Started Smoking in 1968: Katman (Phil Kohn) has been enjoying cigars for over 50 years. His deep experience informs his palate and his no-nonsense attitude toward cigar quality.
• Blog Beginnings: He launched his blog Cigar Reviews by the Katman as a platform to share his thoughts in a raw, unfiltered way—far from the polished, formulaic reviews of mainstream outlets.
• Rejection of Convention: From the start, Katman avoided rigid scoring systems and sterile tasting notes. Instead, he embraced a style that blends humor, sarcasm, and vivid sensory detail.

Evolution of His Voice:
• Narrative-Driven Reviews: Over time, his reviews became more like short stories—filled with personal anecdotes, cultural references, and emotional reflections.
• Boutique Focus: He gravitated toward boutique brands and small-batch releases, often championing under-the-radar blends that larger reviewers overlooked.
• Community Connection: Katman built a loyal following by being brutally honest and deeply relatable. Fans appreciate his transparency and the sense that he’s reviewing for fellow smokers, not for industry perks

Recent Collaborations:
• Katman’s Kartel: His partnership with Small Batch Cigar led to curated samplers like the “Perfect 100” and “Top 32” packs, showcasing cigars he personally endorses.
• Podcast Appearances: He’s been featured on cigar podcasts like Cigar Talk, where he’s praised as “one of the purest, most honest cigar reviewers” in the game.
Katman’s style is a blend of old-school experience and modern irreverence. If you’re curious, I can walk you through one of his most colorful reviews or help you find a cigar from his curated samplers that matches your taste.

Katman vs. Traditional Cigar Reviewers:
Tone & Personality:
Katman: Irreverent, sarcastic, deeply personal
Traditional Reviewers: Professional, neutral, often restrained
Scoring Philosophy:
Katman: Only reviews cigars he loves; scores start at 97+
Traditional Reviewers: Reviews a wide range; scores typically range from 80–95
Flavor Descriptions:
Katman: Vivid, poetic, sometimes wild (“molten chocolate lava cake with cayenne”)
Traditional Reviewers: Precise, technical, often using standardized flavor wheels
Review Structure:
Katman: Narrative-driven, includes anecdotes and emotional reflections
Traditional Reviewers: Structured format: appearance, draw, burn, flavor, final score
Brand Focus:
Katman: Boutique-heavy, small batch, under-the-radar gems
Traditional Reviewers: Mix of boutique and mainstream brands
Community Engagement:
Katman: Cult following; fans love his honesty and eccentricity
Traditional Reviewers: Professional distance; less personal interaction

Why People Love Katman:
• He’s described by fans as “acerbic but a big ol’ softy”.
• His reviews feel like conversations with a trusted friend, not sterile critiques.
• He’s built partnerships like Katman’s Kartel to curate samplers based on his personal favorites.
If you’re used to reviewers like Halfwheel or Cigar Aficionado, Katman’s style is a refreshing departure—more like a passionate diary entry than a lab report. Want me to help you find a cigar that matches his top picks or break down one of his most eccentric reviews?

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, I Asked A.I: What is Cigar Reviews by the Katman?, katman, phil kohn