This isn't so much a review as it is a recount of a good smoke I had a couple of nights ago.
I ordered a shipment of BBFs that arrived last week -- call it an early Christmas present to myself. Due to cold weather and the errands of the holiday season, I had to wait several days before trying them. I haven't had a BBF for a few months since depleting my stash over the summer, so I was looking forward to it.
I'd opened the sealed package on arrival, and was treated to a wave of pungent barnyard aroma that rushed from the container. This made the week-long anticipation that much more difficult. In appearance the cigars were top-notch. A very suede-looking color that is rock-solid in consistency across all 25 sticks, and I could find no faults in the wrapping anywhere I looked. No shipping damage, luckily.
When I finally stepped outside on a balmy evening (for CO, that is, temperature in upper 40's to low 50's) and lit up, the first several puffs from the cigar yielded a STRONG taste - almost overpowering. My entire tongue was carpeted with tingling tastebuds and I was wondering if I had just misjudged terribly by not letting the cigars rest for a while.
My fears were eased as the flavor suddenly mellowed. I can't describe how this cigar tastes with much accuracy, except to say that it tastes "warm" to me. Almost woody but not, and almost leathery but not. I will say it stayed consistantly peppery, but not harsh, through the entire body of the cigar.
The ash stayed on solidly until well over the 1/2-way point, when it started to slightly curl. Right before dropping, the curling ash gave me the weird impression I was smoking an oversized cheezy-poof. Then the ash fell.
The sky was darkening and two v-shaped formations of geese honked as they flew westward over my house toward the lake. The neighborhood's holiday lights began to turn on as I paced back and forth on my porch. The evening was still and quiet, only the geese causing any disturbance.
By this time I was becoming somewhat greedy and puffing too fast on my cigar -- I was almost saying "mmmm" out loud, the Bolivar was so tasty.
Finally the chill got to me, and the cigar did as well. When I finally tossed the nub and went inside, I felt a little light-headed but not nauseous. I had that giddy kid-on-Christmas feeling -- and coming into the warm house added that much more to the pleasant smoking sensation.
With some age I'm sure this cigar will taste even better, and the initial zing in the first 1/2 inch or so will mellow. But these 2004 BBFs are good enough to smoke now. I'll be gifting some sticks to friends and relatives over the holiday, but saving the bulk for myself.
Merry Christmas to All!
~ masher
B.A.S.E. #0004 <(O)>
