Trust the work
Editorial Policy
Original reporting, explicit sourcing and a clean line between the editorial room and the sales room.
Independent cigar ratings
Every TPCC cigar score comes from a documented TPCC panel session. We do not copy another outlet’s score, add a point to it or publish tasting language for a cigar we have not tasted.
Independent lounge ratings
Source research can qualify a venue for the lounge atlas, but a numerical TPCC lounge score requires a documented in-person evaluation. Unvisited atlas profiles remain marked Not yet rated. Access type is reported separately and is not itself a scoring penalty.
Sources and press releases
RSS feeds, manufacturer newsrooms, press releases and other publications are leads. Company claims remain attributed. Published stories use original structure and language and link primary evidence whenever practical.
Dates and the archive
The visible publication date is the actual publication date. Retrospective stories carry an Archive Desk label and a separate historical coverage period; they are never falsely backdated.
Commercial work
Paid work is labeled Partner Studio or Sponsored. A sponsor cannot buy a TPCC score, lounge rating or Best of the Best placement.
Corrections
Material factual corrections are noted on the affected story. Updated dates are added only when editorially meaningful.