2017 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #17: Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 Basso by Boutique Blends Cigars

“I’ve been impressed with several of Boutique Blends’ maduro offerings over the years…In the case of the Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 Basso, this cigar now stands alone at the top of those maduro offerings.”

Wrapper: U.S. Grown Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Alianza)
Basso: 6 x 54
Price: $9.89
Review: Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 Basso by Boutique Blends Cigars (2/8/17)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Brand): 6 (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017)

Coming in at #17 is the Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 Basso by Boutique Blends Cigars. Before there was Boutique Blends Cigars, the company was known as Oliveros. In 2016, co-founder Rafael Nodal decided to bring back the Oliveros brand. He introduced a regular production series called Oliveros Gran Retorno and a small batch project known as Oliveros All Stars. With Oliveros All Stars, the intent of the line was for Nodal to collaborate with leading cigar makers in the industry. The first installment was Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 – and for this project, Nodal teams up with the legendary Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.

The Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 introduced a Broadleaf offering into the Boutique Blends portfolio – something that up until this release was something of a void in the Boutique Blends portfolio. The remainder of the blend is a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigar is produced at Perez-Carrillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza factory. The Basso size which made this year’s Countdown is a 6 x 54 Toro Grande.

Boutique Blends makes history as it lands on a Cigar Coop Countdown for a record-setting sixth time! This is also the third cigar Perez-Carrillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza lands on the 2017 Countdown – making it the leader in the clubhouse. For those keeping score, this is the sixth maduro to land on the 2017 Countdown.

Flavor-wise the Oliveros All Stars Small Batch No. 5 Basso delivers rich bold mocha notes. This is complemented by notes of orange citrus, cedar, and a mix of black and white pepper spices. The strength and body are medium to full. This is a cigar where the richness of the flavors combined with just the right amount of boldness really gelled together nicely.

This is a collaboration that works because both Nodal and Perez-Carrillo both have experience with these types of projects. It’s a home run for each of the principals involved and thus earns its place on the 2017 Countdown.