Bolivar Bellicoso Finos LTO JUN 20 (VVRW#2)*

[karp]

Disclaimer: I don’t usually smoke BBF, I’ve had a few but generally like milder cigars like Upmann & HdM. I do like the Royal robustos, on the other hand, and I had this from the Xmas sampler so thought I burn one tonight…

Strong flavour out of the gate, woody, tannic - mongrel? Earthy with savoury spices and underlying bread - kind of like a dark rye bread. I can taste the char. By halfway, touch of honey, which was very surprising and lasted for the remainder of the smoke. Eventually, hints of Upmann-like shortbread and coconut or almond, some licorice at end. Smooth overall. Maybe you have to be Eastern Euro or Baltic heritage to get this... but this cigar tasted kind of like a piece of toasted dark rye a touch burnt, with melted butter, and dark honey on it. Ah, memories of childhood... 

I must say I was very surprised with this. I heard good things about the BBF in 2020 but did not believe it - I have watched these pass and pass on 24:24 including tonight! I guess I've just had a bad version prior. Awesome cigar this time: a 4.5 / 5.

 

[Shrimpchips]

Nice review! I was also surprised at the sweetness that came through in the second third, and the charred rye/molasses flavor is a spot on description for me too.  I’ve got two boxes on the way now, probably not part of the regular rotation, but a stick that I definitely want to have aging away.

[karp]

Agreed. It’s a great change of pace! Nice to have something out of the ordinary now and then.

[Scubasteve20]

Ha! We must've been posting at the same time. I might replace "rye" with "bread & nougat" for my sample but sounds like we had a fairly similar experience. Loving the '20 stock of everything!

[Bijan]

Great review! Thanks. I also watched them pass by on 24:24 time and again. I finally pulled the trigger tonight even though I supposedly stopped buying boxes a couple of weeks ago. At least it looks like they're smoking really well.

[Hoepssa]

 

Same factory with same date, that means I'll have 25 joy nights when I smoke these BFF!