Thanks. That second link had a lot of good info.
However, there was no mention of the flavor differences. Help me out if I'm on the wrong track. I just don't understand why (to me) the RYJ Vintage and Reserva Real tastes like I'm smoking the wrong end, Macanudo Cafe was smooth and mellow, Oliva O was interesting and tasty, and Bradley was slightly less ashtray-ish than the RYJ. Does it depend more on the guts? "Toothy" and "chewy" don't mean anything when CI (for example) describes the wrapper. They say the maduro has some sweetness to it and sometimes some bite; the ligero is supposed to be peppery and "strong" (whatever that means); connecticut (though they don't say it) hints of old shoes (maybe that's just brand specific). So I'm starting to think it is more of the guts - the country (or countries) of origin that make a bigger difference. Or is it really more complicated than that because it involves the wrapper type, plus the filler, plus the age? I have noticed they get better after sitting in the frigerador for a while and then letting them sit for a day at room temperature and rh before lighting. Fortunately I've run out of room in the frigerador, so I won't be spending any more money to learn the hard way. That's really the bottom line of my original question: certain traits I'd like from a few different brands to narrow the search so I can find a favorite without having to try just about everything out there. I've gotten some suggestions from the members here and, being newer stock, I'll let them age a bit while I try the older stuff first.