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A Juan Lopez Selección No. 2 TPO JUN 17 with some sparkling water this evening.

So I help out a fellow, BOTL, @Chucko8 His packages stuck in my home town, half a world away from where he is. Just as I get in my car, it starts to pour, and I mean, it really poured. Driving from one random place to another, I finally located his stuff and made sure they continue on their journey. Why? Because if we can't count on fellow BOTL's, who can we count on!! What I didn't expect was this onslaught of cigars of rare stuff. My most exciting smoke it my 7 year old Punch DC, or perhaps my 2015 Bolivar CG's. What he sends? ERDM Gran Coronas 1998 Hoyo DC from 2007 Cuaba Anniverario PL Encantos from 2010 Mag 46 from 2005 Ramón Allones Phoenicio 35 ER Libano 2015 Dude, that was insane. You outdid yourself!

BBF

These damn things smell like Krispy Kreme doughnuts![emoji39] Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Gifted '16 Punch Punch from@Bartolomeo, bro you were completely right with this one, smoking so well! For whatever reason it's taken me at least 2 years to get to this after this was sent to me in NYC.[emoji1666] One of those true BOTL that I always used to see contributing to various forums (a lot here when I was initially learning about our sport) and actually smoked a vast and wide variety so I've always valued your view and opinions when reading your reviews. Don't see you posting as much lately but life priorities change and social media certainly isn't everything..hope life is well and managing to smoke a few cigars here and there [emoji120] One of those realisation moments, I've never bought a full box of these but this example again shows regular production done right.Such a decent size as well, comfortable and for me perfect ring gauge. Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Celebrating 11 years of retirement with a 1970's Montecristo Nr 1 courtesy of Min Ron Nee.

From a recent 24:24

PLP

2019

Punch Short de Punch TPO Sep 2019 The Punch Short de Punch is a new regular production addition to the Punch marca. Its length is only 4 mm (or ⅙ of an inch) shorter than a robusto and secondly, it takes quite some time to smoke. A robusto would normally take me around 70 minutes to smoke but this usually takes me 90 to 100 minutes to finish! In regards to flavours, these Punch Short de Punch cigars tend to be fairly consistent in delivering classic Punch notes of sour cream, leather, cedar and Cuban twang. They're certainly not a complex cigar, but if you like Punch in general then I'd recommend that you give this a try, after all, they do come in 10-count boxes. Today's Punch Short de Punch was welcome return-to-form as my last one was sub-par for my liking. This was excellent in comparison.

Another great mail call

Had this cigar up in the mountains last weekend. Really liked it.

Palmas extra Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SP Non-plus ATE May 18".

Coffee and RASS.

C&C time. RYJ Wide Churchill (2017) - 24:24 Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

JL#1 today. I have only had a few of these and really enjoying them young. Where my dark wrapped JL2 definitely need some time down.

Hoyo epi deluxe

Rather excited about these - JUN 20 but they smell as if they've got a few years on them already.

Firing up a 2019 Edicion Limitada Ramon Allones no. 2 today... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another from the Battleground Cigars

Some RAT JUN 20 PLMC from our host. Pretty wrappers on these.

Got 3 separate packages today. MSU MAY 19 Bolivar Petit Coronas LGR OCT 19 Por Larranaga Montecarlos SGA DIC 16 Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas OER MAY 20 H Upmann Half Coronas GEN JUN 20 H Upmann Epicures The half Coronas and Montecarlos were the best looking boxes though the Montecarlos had some white mold on the top row that I dusted off.

JL2 (UTL MAY-19) a gift from @Devo

A wonderful BRC from last night..these seem to never disappoint Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some excellent reg prod from good factories: Montecarlo LGR OCT 19 and JL2 from MOL MAR 18. Day and night in the Pfalz, Germany.

So played Olympia today. Same pins and tee’s as the real players yesterday. The greens were not as fast as I thought ... def didn’t cut today but were plenty fast. If you missed the fairway was bogey or worse real quick. All in all for my 5th round of the year not bad. Was a great day.

Morning C&C Serie A from 98 C&C with a PL Panetelas Jul REG 17

Just got these on Friday. My first QDs, OMU ABR 20. Excited to try something I haven't had before.

Still in Indiana playing golf with @Devo. This is our 5th day in a row of golf and we finished with 36 holes at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick - pretty spectacular! A few of the post round cigars from the last few days ...... an all star line-up! VR Famoso - ARS JUL-18 PL Pantela - UTE MAY-17 Monte #4 - ASR MAY-19 JL1 - UTL APR-19 RG Perlas (SOE DIC-11). This morning with Nespresso; walnuts, a few puffs of salt and a really good citrusy twang in the last half.

From our host...

Back to back ...I’m loving these .. box code soothes it .....

ASR OCT 17 ROTT. MONTI PR. I’m digging it

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial (circa 2015) The Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial is noted for being the 'king of cream' amongst Hoyo de Monterrey vitolas. For me, when they lack that creamy texture their appeal wanes. Construction on this Epicure Especial was outstanding. Flavour-wise, the light cocoa, cedar and vanilla was mingled with some hints of spice at times, but the cigar really lacked a creamy texture throughout. Honestly, it lacked lustre, was ordinary, boring and 'ho-hum'. I think I may re-visit the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Rio Seco the next time I want to reach for a large ring-gauged creamy cigar and come back to the Epicure Especial 'down-the-track'.

My family and I are still very thankful for your help mate, it was most appreciated! Enjoy the sticks Louie as they are well deserved from your selfless efforts to help out.

I fired up this little No. 5 when I got on the road to head to work last night, so only one picture for this “review”. Hard to take a photo in the rain, in the dark at 65mph. Just not worth it. I had two remaining in this box in the bottom of the humidor, each with a fine dusting of “plume”. Yes, it was plume. I know. I can tell. And it WAS plume. I trimmed 1/16” of the “plumey” foot off, straight cut the head, popped the top on a Monster Energy lemon iced tea, stuffed the cigar in my craw, fired it up and pushed the “D” button on the console of my brandy-new Honda Accord Touring edition for the rainy drive north. SO emasculating pushing a button for a forward gear. I miss my manual transmission.... First taste was a nice, semi-sweet chocolate blast. Espresso notes followed, but stayed in the background throughout. Thick, flavorful smoke filed the cab and squelched the offensive “new car” smell. Thank God...! At times there was a genuine sweetness to this smoke as if milk and semisweet chocolate had been mixed into the blend. A mild nutmeg spiciness began to make an appearance at the half and remained through the balance of the cigar. These No. 5 rarely disappoint. Even with 4-5 boxes on hand I never feel like I have enough. time to start looking for more.

Punch Punch and Aberlour A'Bunadh Sent from my RNE-L21 using Tapatalk

C&C time. Trinidad Vigia (2017) - 24:24 Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Hey Rob! They have one cigar for you!

Got this from a box split last year. Had one 3 months later. It was not good. So I shelved them. But, decided to give it another stab at just past the 2 year mark. Cigar had a beautiful wrapper. I decided to put it in a 58% environment for 24 hours. I'm not big into dry boxing, but given my struggles with the dumas, I thought I would give it a go. Wrapper has an awesome foot band. Love it. All cigars should have it. Protect the cigar from those foot splits. Cigar started right of the gate with a super smooth heavy chocolate and nut flavor. Very candy bar like. It was the velvety smoothness that made me realize that this cigar was going to be different. Just a silky wonderful texture. As it warmed up, I got a peanut butter flavor, quite strong flavor as well. Unlike the punch 48, this was more of a sweet peanut butter. Think Jif peanut butter vs the less sweet version that you get from just crushing up peanuts. The crushed up version being more Punch 48 like. Flavor was a chocolate, creamy peanut butter mix with a hint of cedar. Yum. Half way point changed the chocolate to more of a chocolate pudding taste and sensation. The smoke was chewy and long lasting. It was wonderful. Past the half way point into the last third it switch to more of a traditional monty with milk chocolate, cedar and coffee. Coffee being absent until the last 1/3. I really enjoyed the unique taste until the last third. Still a good smoke, just not as exciting. Ended with a more creamy cedar flavor having dropped off the chocolate. All in all, I was quite impressed in how this has developed with 2 years. Excited to review it next year. I have no more than the 8 left in the box. Switched over to the Leyanda due to my bad experience. But now I'm wondering if should grab some more of these.