Diplomaticos No. 4 OPM FEB 09 (XNYRW3)*

[riderpride]

She was a cold one in Cowtown last night with two heaters going in the garage and a tealight to warm the ashtray so the wrapper wouldn't split when I layed the stick down. 
For the eve I chose one of my few remaining Dip 4s from OPM FEB 09. 

Pre light draw was good with a sweet flavor of vanilla and wood.

1/3
It took a few cracks at the lighter, but once it was going there were flavors of nutmeg, brulee, wood and a black licorice aftertaste. Later settled into some pepper and cake as well.

2/3
Pepper and Nutmeg fading to citrus rind and vegetal with cake doughiness remaining. 

3/3
Sweet brulee/caramel returns with a wood aftertaste - similar to buffalo trace or eagle rare 10 which should make a good pairing.
Wrapper begins to split slightly due to the cold. A quick lick provides a bold saltiness and the split got no longer than 1cm or so. At this point it's nutmeg overload with doughiness and citrus rind as well.

Total smoke time was 50 min with the cold temps and the draw was perfect throughout. 

I would rate this about 93; flavors were fantastic and less peppery than the last one I had back in September. It will definately be tough to pace myself on the remaining sticks.

Cheers!

[Sudzdaddy]

Very nice write-up, thanks!  Stay warm!

[KCCubano]

Great review on a very good stick. Wish I still had more left! 

[porkchop]

Love the Diplomaticos bands.

[Çnote]

On 12/18/2021 at 9:14 AM, riderpride said:

tealight to warm the ashtray so the wrapper wouldn't split when I layed the stick down. 

Slick

[LLC]

Great review. A couple of months ago I got a box on the daily auctions. My first trip to Havana  in 2011 I was able to have some and immediately loved them. Since then the few I’ve had were generously gifted to me by friends. When Rob put one of his boxes up, I knew I would not be denied. I’ll probably wait until spring to crack that box but your review makes it harder to wait. 

[riderpride]

28 minutes ago, LLC said:

Great review. A couple of months ago I got a box on the daily auctions. My first trip to Havana  in 2011 I was able to have some and immediately loved them. Since then the few I’ve had were generously gifted to me by friends. When Rob put one of his boxes up, I knew I would not be denied. I’ll probably wait until spring to crack that box but your review makes it harder to wait. 

No rush at least for this box - they keep getting better with time. I've had others which had massive dropoffs like the Boli Corinas Extra that were intense when young, but fizzled to muted licorice after 10 years or so. Not saying all BCEs decline like that, but I was so pissed at myself that i didn't crush that box at around the 5 year mark. 

Enjoy that box!