Bolivar Inmensas : (HAV 1997) : Discontinued Cigar Review Weekend

[Philc2001]

When I hear the name Inmensas it tends to conjure up an image of a very large cigar, but the Bolivar Inmensas is not as big as the name might suggest. At 6.7" by 43 it is a lonsdale (dahlia), which is my favorite format for a 2 hour smoke.

With only a couple of sticks remaining from this box I've long since discarded the box. Of course, the Inmensas were discontinued in 2009, and I never got to adding more of them to my humidor, so once these are gone I will close this chapter on this once great vitola in my collection. I tend to get a little sentimental every time I light one up because I know the window of opportunity to enjoy these wonderful works of cigar craft is rapidly closing.

This specimen has a smooth and expertly applied colorado-maduro wrapper, with barely visible seams. Cold draw is just about perfect. Once lit the first plumes of rich toasted tobacco filled the air, and I was rewarded with a mild-medium flavor mix of earth and coffee, and a hint of burnt toast. Burn started out nice and even, and smoke volume was about medium. As I smoked through the first inch the cigar intensified a bit into medium bodied, while the essence of garden loam became richer and more pronounced.

As the second third arrived, it was much the same as the last part of the first third, with a rich earthy toasted tobacco core, hints of coffee and again burnt toast. The aroma emanating from the coal as I took a pull was like smoldering damp oak on a camp fire. Body has stayed a solid medium and consistent. At the close of the second third I used my torch to straighten out the burn a little, but otherwise the cigar has burned well.

On to the final third, and the flavor has continued to intensify a bit and a touch of black pepper seems to have come into play. The burnt toast and coffee have also intensified a bit. The earthiness in this cigar is quite notable, it's not a bad thing, but it gives this cigar a rather bold everpresent backdrop. Nothing offensive, but not a characteristic I am very fond of. However, it is somewhat definitive of the Bolivar brand from the mid to late nineties as I recall. There is no apparent sweetness or flowery tones, not much wood either, just straight forward and earthy, rich and somewhat bold. It's all rich and pure tobacco of a distinctive pedigree all the way through to the core.

Approaching the last couple of inches, the cigar is getting a bit hot, and the nicotine is tingling my lips and the tip of my tongue. This far into the cigar, the body has intensified further into a strong medium, but the flavor has remained consistently earthy, rich and tinged with burnt toast. I don't recall the burnt toast as much in prior specimens, but for some reason it stood out a bit in this one.

As I lay this nub to rest I get the sense that another great ambassador of this great brand has fallen to the whims of a fikle consumer. On my personal scale I rate this an 8 out of 10. Not one of my favorites, per se, but definitely a great cigar in the context of the Bolivar brand.

[schubb]

Thanks for the review, I too enjoy the dalias format and wish there were more available in current production. It sounds like it was a good smoke!

[cigaraholic]

Yum....thanks for the drool ?

[PigFish]

... nice review my friend. Fitting of a fine cigar!

I still have about a half a box. Another one that will have to make the list when I am out of the 'sphincter.'

Cheers! -Piggy

[Fugu]

Thanks for an excellent review! You very nicely captured the nature of this cigar. And I agree it is a stick with personality that can be polarizing (as the marca in toto). You certainly have to like that, - I do!

Mind asking me, why does that one come unbanded, I thought the Inmensas had always packaged in dress box only?

[Philc2001]

5 minutes ago, Fugu said:

Thanks for an excellent review! You very nicely captured the nature of this cigar. And I agree it is a stick with personality that can be polarizing (as the marca in toto). You certainly have to like that, - I do!

Mind asking me, why does that one come unbanded, I thought the Inmensas had always packaged in dress box only?

Good point Fugu. Some suppliers don't ship intact. Message me if you want details.  

[Fugu]

12 minutes ago, Philc2001 said:

Good point Fugu. Some suppliers don't ship intact. Message me if you want details.  

Ah ok. No that's fine, just wondering if I perhaps missed something. Thanks!

[TheMonk]

Very good job!

[Hurltim]

Great review Phil!!!

[Philc2001]

52 minutes ago, SlimOne said:

wow ya kept the ashtray clean!

LOL! Yeah, I use two ashtrays for photos. 

[Philc2001]

Thanks SlimOne. Catch much pickerel before the lakes started freezing? I grew up in TO, so I have some fond memories of fishing in and around the great lakes, further north in Muskoka, west above Peterborough, 1000 Islands, etc. Miss the fishing, not the weather though.