From a bulk-buy arranged by Gimbel back in July2011

I got in on that too and purchased several wheels direct. Really enjoyed the OR DD’s when full/full was my choice in cigars. Great construction and very tasty.

Either sold or gifted the last of them a few years ago as my palate grew weary of the more powerful cigars.

How did it age and WTF ever became of Gimbel? He was an excellent BOTL!

Uriah is very happily remarried with a step son and recently a daughter of his own.

Sad that is your last. They are a very nice smoke indeed. I would be happy to send you some if I had any myself.

This brings up an interesting point. The O R of many cigars seems to be much better that subsequent offerings.

Fact or fiction? Do cigar manf front load their offerings and switch to inferior baccy later? I can think or many examples.

Well, in Viaje's case IMO there's a lot of variables.....

Small batch to uber small batch, how many different factories have rolled for Andre? Now hiss product isn't overpriced, but quality is just decent to me.

I have often wondered this as well. This is one of the reason I don't think regulation in the tobacco industry is all bad. I do understand though that crops change from year to year and labels change factories as variables but I would be willing to bet there are instances where the OR is released with a higher quality tobacco then the following releases. I can think of many instances in my short cigar career that I have noticed a dropoff from the OR can only imagine how many times you fogs have noticed it.

I should have added, was gifted a few DDs from the shelf falling incident and really enjoyed them but never compared to the OR. Looks like great relax time Cac and the search for a new unicorn begins lol.

Rocky Patel 1990 & 1992
Calaveras 2014
Oliva Master Blends

Come to mind.