About 5 months ago, Drew Estate announced their BOTL cigar would be making a 2020 return, and once a year thereafter. BOTL stands for Brother of the Leaf and was originally made for the online community BOTL.org in 2012. It then made a comeback in 2019 and now is here to stay. It is a B&M exclusive at Drew Diplomat retailer.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
BOTL comes in three sizes: Corona (5″ x 44) $133.95, Corona Gorda (6 x 46) $144.00, and Lancero (7×38) $153.90. All are come sold in 15 count boxes. The consists of Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut binder, and fillers from the North of Nicaragua.
“The wrapper is smooth to the touch with a medium sized veins that are a bit knotty. It’s a little uneven in color with almost black streaks running through a mostly medium-dark brown leaf. I’m finding a few pinched spots where the cigar looks almost dented especially near the cap where it looks almost dented. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 88
“Barnyard with spice on the body and foot, with molasses or syrup flavor coming off the foot.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Draw is fabulous. Mouthfuls of oiled leather earth and white pepper. Room note is of earth and wood. Definitely leaves the palate very dirty post draw. Medium plus to full in strength. I feel the pepper detracts from the profile being perfectly balanced. Quite a large sweet bread note developing mid palate.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This cigar is smoking like a dumpster fire. Huge clouds of smoke are coming off the cherry while it’s just resting. The flavors are very bold as well. I’m finding it almost a savory profile of black coffee, grain, baking spice, leather, and walnuts. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Getting into the second third sweet dark fruit prevails with bakers spice trailing in the distance. a very long dark rich finish follows. Retro is very smooth until a slight white peppers burn at the very end hits the tip of your nostrils. Smoke pours off the foot of the cigar and chewy thick smoke fills the mouth with each puff of this beauty! ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Wood & coffee are right up in my grill now…sweetness is way in the background. Cigar has gone out 4xs, but I’m not pissed…..I’m enjoying this cigar, but I am feeling the nicotine sneaking up on me. Strength is at a medium. Getting quite a bit of walnuts mixed with coffee as a change…..again refreshing.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Final Third
Flavor: 92 Strength: Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“There’s been no real progression but the flavors are good enough that it’s not a problem. Rich black coffee, leather, cedar, nuts, baking spice, and grain are all still present. There’s slightly more pepper on the retrohale
“There are not many shifts in this cigar which is fine by me. What is there is beautiful. Dark fruit, bakers spice, abundant smoke output……. What more could you ask for. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“Wonderful draw enjoyed it very much” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Burn: 94
“Great burn considering the size.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Construction: 93
“There were a few larger sized veins running the length of the wrapper but it didn’t effect the smoking experience in anyway. I thought that the pinched spots looked a little odd and took away from the overall aesthetics. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“A very good cigar. Does leave the palate kind of dirty but the profile of the cigar is worth a little dirty palate. I would buy a box.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Lanceros can be a tricky cigar to roll and while it took a little extra work to get it smoking properly it performed great. The smoke output was phenomenal and the flavors were great but there were no transitions to speak of. I thought it was a nice cigar with a rich earthy profile.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I enjoyed the cigar. It sure didn’t burn like a lance, since it burned slow. The cigar greeted me with a nice sweetness throughout along with spice, coffee and wood flavors. Would definitely smoke again. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Unfortunately, this was one of those sticks that just keep the same flavors throughout. The possibly infused flavor didn’t add to enjoyment of this stick in the slightest and had an off putting aroma to the smoke. Burn and construction were at least top notch, however I could not get over the blends flavors and aroma and cannot see myself smoking one of these again.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“I am usually not a huge fan of Lanceros. However, this one could convert me. Box worthy for sure if the price was right although I expect this to be a super premium.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
"I am usually not a huge fan of Lanceros. However, this one could convert me. Box worthy for sure if the price was right although I expect this to be a super premium." -James H. (Keikan Jim)
