The original BOTL cigar was a collaboration between the online cigar community, BOTL.org, and Drew Estate. The original release sold out very quickly and was highly sought after on the secondary markets. I can’t remember which year that was, but I was able to get some of the original release as I was a member of BOTL.org at the time. Drew Estate decided to bring the BOTL back out this year at IPCPR as “a passion project dedicated to every cigar geek around the world”. The BOTL is being released in 3 sizes: corona gorda, corona, and lancero. The BOTL is being released exclusively to Drew Estate Diplomat retailers as a brick and mortar exclusive.
Drew Estate released a video on their YouTube channel with master blender, Willy Hererra, describing the BOTL.
- Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Vitola: Corona Gorda
- Size: 6 x 46
- MSRP: $15.00
Cigar provided by Drew Estate for review
Prelight
The BOTL has a dark brown mottled wrapper that looks like distressed leather that looks very interesting. The BOTL has a huge cap that made it pretty easy to clip. Once I clipped the cap, I tested the draw which was a little more firm than I like, but it wasn’t an issue. I got notes of leather, cedar, rich tobacco, and earth.
First Half
The BOTL started off great. I got notes of cedar, cocoa, espresso, toasted pecan, and pepper. The cigar has a nice spicy kick, especially on the retrohale. On the retrohale, I get a huge blast of black pepper, so much so, that I couldn’t fully retrohale it without it burning. The draw was still a little tight, but the cigar is putting off a ton of smoke which is typical for a Drew Estate cigar. The cigar is full-bodied.
Last Half
The BOTL got a little less spicy and a little more savory on the last half. I get a woody note that, to me, it more like the sharp smokey flavor you get from mesquite than the cedar note from the first half. I’m also getting more of the espresso note as well as a nutmeg note. I still get the toasted pecan note, but it’s more subdued along with a hint of cocoa. I do get the black pepper more on the retrohale as before, but it’s more tolerable in the last half. The cigar is smoking well and is full-bodied putting off a ton of smoke.
Conclusion
The BOTL cigar is a very tasty, full-bodied cigar. I love the rich flavor profile that the cigar has with the nice spiciness, espresso, cocoa, and woody notes. I really enjoyed the cigar. This cigar fits in well with the Undercrown, Liga Privada lines, etc, as it is similar in taste and strength. I think if you are a fan of those cigar lines, you will really like the BOTL. I think its definitely a box worthy cigar and one that, if you like full-bodied cigars, this one is a must try.
