armedak said:My canadian friend tells me both the 04 and 05 are pretty good smokes. I definitely would not pay a premium for the 04 over the 05. They both will be better with a few years of age on them.
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From my limited experience, no. The local shop that I used to frequent had a box from 2000 on the shelves. The first I smoked was one of the best cigars I ever had. Practically perfect in every way. Then the next 3 I smoked were either very tight or plugged and had very bad burns. I loved the flavor of the BBF so much, I had a fifth, and again I got perfection. Batting .400 in baseball may be great, but if you're buying a box, not good. When the box from 2000 ran out, they put out a box from 2003 and I smoked 5 from that box and every single one had perfect construction. Granted, the flavors were not as refined as those from 2000, but the consistency more than made up for it. The BBF is a great smoke and a staple in my humidor. They taste good enough young that I have not bothered to look for aged specimens. The oldest I have are the last 2 from the 2003 box that I brought back from Sweden.Ironworker said:What about a box from 2000? Was that a good year for the BBF's?
Just curious because I seen some availible.
Rich
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Sounds like I need to do some searching for older BBFs.cigardawg said:I'm darned picky about my Bolivars. I have had BBFs from 04 and currently have about 1/2 a box of Feb 03s. I have found both to be too fresh. Bolivars are one of the brands that just needs age for me to enjoy. Pretty tannic when young, IMHO. They age so well, however, that you just have to have them in the collection. The 97s and 98s and even the 01s are fabulous. :thumbs:
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Strayvector said:From my limited experience, no. The local shop that I used to frequent had a box from 2000 on the shelves. The first I smoked was one of the best cigars I ever had. Practically perfect in every way. Then the next 3 I smoked were either very tight or plugged and had very bad burns. I loved the flavor of the BBF so much, I had a fifth, and again I got perfection. Batting .400 in baseball may be great, but if you're buying a box, not good. When the box from 2000 ran out, they put out a box from 2003 and I smoked 5 from that box and every single one had perfect construction. Granted, the flavors were not as refined as those from 2000, but the consistency more than made up for it. The BBF is a great smoke and a staple in my humidor. They taste good enough young that I have not bothered to look for aged specimens. The oldest I have are the last 2 from the 2003 box that I brought back from Sweden.Ironworker said:What about a box from 2000? Was that a good year for the BBF's?
Just curious because I seen some availible.
Rich
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I've also read several places that Cubans made in 1999 and 2000 should be avoided because of production issues during those years.
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Strayvector said:Sounds like I need to do some searching for older BBFs.cigardawg said:I'm darned picky about my Bolivars. I have had BBFs from 04 and currently have about 1/2 a box of Feb 03s. I have found both to be too fresh. Bolivars are one of the brands that just needs age for me to enjoy. Pretty tannic when young, IMHO. They age so well, however, that you just have to have them in the collection. The 97s and 98s and even the 01s are fabulous. :thumbs:
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cigardawg said:Strayvector said:From my limited experience, no. The local shop that I used to frequent had a box from 2000 on the shelves. The first I smoked was one of the best cigars I ever had. Practically perfect in every way. Then the next 3 I smoked were either very tight or plugged and had very bad burns. I loved the flavor of the BBF so much, I had a fifth, and again I got perfection. Batting .400 in baseball may be great, but if you're buying a box, not good. When the box from 2000 ran out, they put out a box from 2003 and I smoked 5 from that box and every single one had perfect construction. Granted, the flavors were not as refined as those from 2000, but the consistency more than made up for it. The BBF is a great smoke and a staple in my humidor. They taste good enough young that I have not bothered to look for aged specimens. The oldest I have are the last 2 from the 2003 box that I brought back from Sweden.Ironworker said:What about a box from 2000? Was that a good year for the BBF's?
Just curious because I seen some availible.
Rich
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I've also read several places that Cubans made in 1999 and 2000 should be avoided because of production issues during those years.
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I agree with most of this. However, I think it depends on the vendor as well. Yes, the Cuban cigar industry's QA/QC was awful during 99, 00, and even early 01. Many plugged and otherwise poorly constructed cigars. However, they also made some good ones. A lot of it depends on how discriminating your vendor is. I have a number of boxes from 99 and 00. I have had trouble with only one box and it was not from my usual source. I'm talking about a variety of sizes too, dalias, petite coronas, corona gordas, lonsdales, etc.
So, I guess the answer to this is...it depends. Rich, if you don't mind telling me where you saw the 00s, I'd be happy to share what I think.
Strayvector said:Sounds like I need to do some searching for older BBFs.cigardawg said:I'm darned picky about my Bolivars. I have had BBFs from 04 and currently have about 1/2 a box of Feb 03s. I have found both to be too fresh. Bolivars are one of the brands that just needs age for me to enjoy. Pretty tannic when young, IMHO. They age so well, however, that you just have to have them in the collection. The 97s and 98s and even the 01s are fabulous. :thumbs:
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And that is the rub. Finding aged/older BBFs or any of the other "popular" cigars can be hard. Not impossible, but hard. I say "popular" referring to robustos, belicosos, and some corona gordas and petite coronas. So many people want these "popular" cigars, that it is difficult to find aged/older ones.
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I am no box code expert, but I have smoked a few Boli PC's in my time. I tried 2 or 3 from 98 that were really good. Not nearly as complex as a BBf or RC, but still an outstanding cigar.Wombat said:Thanks all, this has turned into a very intersting discussion. Thanks also for those of you who PM'ed me with info (you know who you are), it was very helpful.
Another question for the group. In looking for some aged BBF's (no luck yet), I came across a dress box of PC's (NISC VC3), which I believe is 12/97. Is this far enough before the problem years of 99-01?
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Wombat said:Thanks all, this has turned into a very intersting discussion. Thanks also for those of you who PM'ed me with info (you know who you are), it was very helpful.
Another question for the group. In looking for some aged BBF's (no luck yet), I came across a dress box of PC's (NISC VC3), which I believe is 12/97. Is this far enough before the problem years of 99-01?
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I think if you have found some from 97, they should be peaking if they have not already.
Wombat said:I think if you have found some from 97, they should be peaking if they have not already.
Interesting. How does this match up with RMN. I have been reading his aging section and he states the the third fermintation could be 20 to 50 years to bring out all of the flavors. Of course I've never had anything that old, so I can't comment. I do find all of this info about aging very interesting and I guess the best way to figure it out is some more direct experience!
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