Bolivar Belicoso Fino (FEB03)

[cigardawg]

Sat down this evening at the computer and decided to light up a BBF. Paired it up with a nice cup of strong coffee and away I went.

Bolivar Belicoso Fino (FEB03)

This is a very good looking belicoso. It had a nice medium-brown leathery wrapper with a single vein running down one side. The vein just gave it a rugged attractive look...kind of like a well-placed scar. The seams were all but invisible. The cigar had kind of a hard feel to it, making me wonder about the draw. I breathed deeply to be greeted with an earthy-leathery nose. I clipped it and found what I suspected...a tight draw.

I toasted the end and then lit the cigar using my torch. It lit easily, but the draw did not improve in any great measure. The ash was a very light gray color and very firm, requiring me to physically knock it off. At about the mid-way point, the draw opened up a bit and the smoke production increased, though this was not a "smokey" cigar by any means. It burned straight for the most part, though one touch-up was required just past mid-way. The smoke stayed cool thoughout, never heating up down to the nub.

Initially, the flavors were a bit muted due to the thin smoke. There was definitely the Bolivar earthiness mixed with some nice coffee flavors. The finish was a bit dry, but very clean. At the midway point, the draw opened a bit and additional earthy flavors were noted. Toward the back end, some interesting wood flavors came out. Initially, I would suggest cedar, but that is not quite right. The wood flavors reminded me of some wood that I have smelled in recent history. At the end, stronger earthiness came through, reminding me of the corona extra, but with a hint of bitterness.

I love the Bolivar marca. However, for my palate, they absolutely must have some age on them. Varying amounts of age for the different vitolas. Fresh Bolivars just are not my thing. Many absolutely adore the belicoso fino, but give me a CE, PC, Inmensas, or Lonsdale any day. However, this was a good cigar and I rate it a steady B+ (87-89).

[Tampa1257]

When the BBF is "on", they are totally off the hook with rich earthiness, and bold leather. They tend to be a little spicy in my opinion, but extremely different from the peppery spice of the Partagás. Time in the humidor makes a world of difference, I have some 2003's that are smoking wonderfully right now.

[PJ_CEONAD_CC]

Good to know. Thx

[mulberry]

anyone tried any 05's?

[strayvector]

» anyone tried any 05's?

Love 'em, can't get enough of 'em.

[idesign]

» » anyone tried any 05's?

»

» Love 'em, can't get enough of 'em.

Yep, the 05's I've had have been great....

[alexgtp]

Been a long time since I have smoked one of these.

I went out and ordered a box. Unfortunately they are 04.

Wonder how long I should let them sit befor I smoke them..:-D

[cigardawg]

» Been a long time since I have smoked one of these.

» I went out and ordered a box. Unfortunately they are 04.

» Wonder how long I should let them sit befor I smoke them..:-D

Some people seem to love Bolivars nice and fresh. For my palate, they need some definite time in the humidor. My Lonsdales and Regentes from 01 are just now starting to get ready to smoke IMHO. My CEs (98 and 99) and my Inmensas (97) are smoking incredibly.

Guess we all have different tastes...thank goodness.:-)

[greenpimp]

Thanks for the review. I agree with Tampa. When the BBF is on there isn't a better cigar, for me anyway. Unfortunately I seem to have pretty iffy luck in the 4 boxes I've gone through. My '01 was bland, two '03s were electric (have another box sleeping), and the few I've smoked of my 04s are still unimpressive.

[mulberry]

» Yep, the 05's I've had have been great....

Thanks idesign, they have always been hit or miss with me too, hope the 05's i just received are hits

[NJLimoDriver]

» Sat down this evening at the computer and decided to light up a BBF.

» Paired it up with a nice cup of strong coffee and away I went.

»

» Bolivar Belicoso Fino (FEB03)

»

» This is a very good looking belicoso. It had a nice medium-brown leathery

» wrapper with a single vein running down one side. The vein just gave it a

» rugged attractive look...kind of like a well-placed scar. The seams were

» all but invisible. The cigar had kind of a hard feel to it, making me

» wonder about the draw. I breathed deeply to be greeted with an

» earthy-leathery nose. I clipped it and found what I suspected...a tight

» draw.

»

» I toasted the end and then lit the cigar using my torch. It lit easily,

» but the draw did not improve in any great measure. The ash was a very

» light gray color and very firm, requiring me to physically knock it off.

» At about the mid-way point, the draw opened up a bit and the smoke

» production increased, though this was not a "smokey" cigar by any means.

» It burned straight for the most part, though one touch-up was required

» just past mid-way. The smoke stayed cool thoughout, never heating up down

» to the nub.

»

» Initially, the flavors were a bit muted due to the thin smoke. There was

» definitely the Bolivar earthiness mixed with some nice coffee flavors.

» The finish was a bit dry, but very clean. At the midway point, the draw

» opened a bit and additional earthy flavors were noted. Toward the back

» end, some interesting wood flavors came out. Initially, I would suggest

» cedar, but that is not quite right. The wood flavors reminded me of some

» wood that I have smelled in recent history. At the end, stronger

» earthiness came through, reminding me of the corona extra, but with a hint

» of bitterness.

»

» I love the Bolivar marca. However, for my palate, they absolutely must

» have some age on them. Varying amounts of age for the different vitolas.

» Fresh Bolivars just are not my thing. Many absolutely adore the belicoso

» fino, but give me a CE, PC, Inmensas, or Lonsdale any day. However, this

» was a good cigar and I rate it a steady B+ (87-89).

Greatly disappointed that I am down to my last Apr 03 BBF - they are smoking excellently right now - have tried 04s but not impressed - my Apr 03 are excellent - cheers Mike

[caudio51]

Nice review!

I tend to like the PCs more. The distince Bolivar flavor is more previlent IMO.

[seamus]

I've had mixed expiences with BBFs. Some great, some blah.