OSU MAY 02 BBF from an SLB

[shortsqueeze]

This BBF came from a storied box. Sent from the LCdH Genève in early 2003. Months after they were in the air, they still hadn't arrived. Thought they were long gone. Low and behold, one day a battered brown box shows up in the mailroom. A combination of excitement and disappointment ensued. Surely they would be battered to pieces. What was found were 25 incredibly dark, oily, dusty (read plume) belicosos wrapped in a yellow silk ribbon ... in perfect condition.

Figuring in the requisite time frames for escaparate, boxing and shipping, this cigar was just about 7 years old. Hard to the touch, packed full with tobacco, very much a solid foot. If you haven't seen or felt a perfectly rolled cigar like this before you would think it would be plugged in the worst way. I snipped the head and wasn't surprised in the least to find an absolutely perfect draw. Just the right amount of resistance.

At about 2 years old, these were so strong (nicotine wise); absolutely unsmokeable. At 3.5 - 4 years old they were devine - complex and amazing depth of flavor. At 5 - 5.5 years old they were bland and boring. Today at about 7 years old, it was a return to greatness. Perfect burn, slow and laser-like, that of a well contructed, well stored/aged cigar. Full flavored and very much full bodied, not for beginners. Intense espresso and earth, with a bit of eucalyptus towards the end. Just like you couldn't eat a Morton's hot chocolate cake every night, nor could you smoke this cigar every day. Too rich!

Buy the best cabinet you can find and lay it down for 3-4 years, or 7+ for a real treat. You will not be disappointed.

94-95 / 100 points if I had to quantify.

[El Presidente]

You will often hear of members who have never had a great BBF or BRC or RASS or D4 or whatever. You just want to reach into the great cigars you have had and send one.

Great review

[Guest rob]

Know anyone who sells these?

Fine review!

[joeypots]

And yet a box of 2/03 BBF have not matured into anything special. It's kind of a crap shoot about Havana cigars. 6-8 months difference in production dates can have a dramatic effect.