I have always loved this stick, from the first one I smoked a few years ago. Right after I realized how much I liked them I was able to pick up an almost full box of '08s from a BOTL on the forums, and have enjoy them periodically since. Now that I'm getting down to the end of the box I figure these deserve a review, so lets see how one of my favorite everyday sticks does!
Smoking outside tonight on the porch (it has been raining all week.. blah) with a glass of water after a beer. Cut with a Palio, lit with matches.
First Third
-Starts with dark, roasty flavors of raw tobacco, wood, creamy cedar spice and earth
-Light draw with very thick smoke
-Rich, complex and medium+ in body so far
-Construction is great, as to be expect with all Oliva products
Second Third
-Similar flavors to the first third, now with some added coffee notes and even some malt
-A wonderfully balanced smoke
-D/A/B still flawless
Third Third
-The wood, coffee, tobacco and spice flavors melt together towards the end
-Body has increased a bit, though still only on the fringe of full
-Construction is still great
Conclusion and Score
This cigar has it all- interesting flavors, great balance, and fantastic construction. I love oval shape, the leathery rough wrapper, and particularly the dark coffee and tobacco flavors. Age has certainly treated this stick well; the body has gone from full to medium+ but the flavors and finish became creamy smooth. My only issue was a bit of nicotine-bitterness at the end, though this is to be expected with many beefier Nicaraguan sticks. Definitely worth a 93 point rating, and I so wish I had more!
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