Bolivar Petit Corona: POS MAY 07 : Bolivar Review Comp 2016

[Ethernut]

How 'bout some Dress Box Pr0n before we get started?

I'd just ordered a new box for my Dad which just arrived so I thought I'd do a little Dress Box comparison. His is ETP ENE 16 and mine, POS MAY 07. In the Box photos, ETP ENE 16 is either on the top or on the left. Thought a little visual comparison would be fun. I smoke the 07, Dad smoked the 16. Unfortunately I didn't get his tasting notes other than he was pleased with the cigar down until the beginning of the final 3rd. He put his out quote a bit before I did. 

 

Not much difference in the look of the box save the placement of the green warranty and hologram. looks like the Habano's ribbon across the upper right hand corner has more text to the upper right on the '16 box which is missing from '07. I didn't notice that until I looked at the photos.

 

 

Inside of the box is almost identical to my eye (there's a little more light on the '16 box illuminating the gold embossment, but they looked the same). Looks like a little difference in Simon Bolivar's face and breast. ... ('16 on right, '07 on left)

 

 

 

 

Interesting the underside orientation is flipped. Almost impossible to read the box code on the '07, I had to do some digging to figure out what it was, looks like PD8 but is POS according to this post ( Thanks @CaptainQuintero!) : 

 

 

 

 

 

The sticks are beauties! The '07 wrappers aren't quite as dark/oily or consistent as the '16 but it's hard to tell from the photo. I was also surprised by the difference in the Labels. '07 labels are larger, but '16 labels are crisper.

 

 

 

1st Third:

Cream right out of the gate, full strength right up front. Love that. Coffee coffee coffee. Hints of 90% Cacao Chocolate, floral smoke, espresso, I want to chew it, cut it like a cheese cake and let it melt in my mouth. 

 

 

What's in the Glass you might ask? Why that would be Ardbeg 10 year. Simple, sweet and smokey. Love me some smokey Scotch? Finished off this bottle cuz it asked me to. I like using stemless wine glasses for whiskey. Yeah I have all this fancy Tulip, Glencairn, blah blah blah glasses. Sometimes it's just about the feel in your hand. 

 

 

 

2nd Third:

Still heavy coffee and cream although the cream is subsided slightly, ammonia for a second, terrified it's about to go south. I slow down, blow through the cigar and let it rest. Coconut creme, a bit of Montecristo creme but full strength. Ammonia is back again, light and tolerable, sweet pipe tobacco.

 

 

 

 

Final Third:

Unfortunately the ammonia picks up a bit. This cigars throttle is WFO. Picked up a little peanut as the creme subsides. I make it to early final third before It's time to but it down for the long sleep. Enjoyable smoke, glad I have a few left.

 

 

 

 

Looking back, I may have smoked it a little too fast which contributed to the ammonia toward the end. Perhaps I was enjoying it a bit too much ;-) - Not overly complex, yet hits the spot. Great cigar. 

 

Cheers Gents!

-Ether

 

 

[subport]

A nice one again, thanks for your review!

I like Ardbeg 10 a lot myself, and used to pair it with tons of cigars. But lately that "medical?" kinda taste in it always keeps me away. I know its me who has changed...

[miurajus]

Great review!  I was drooling over the side by side open box pic.  The 07's are beautiful and lush.  Thanks again!

[CaptainQuintero]

Love Ardberg 10, super whisky. You can't go wrong with a POS either

Great review!

[Ethernut]

17 hours ago, subport said:

A nice one again, thanks for your review!

I like Ardbeg 10 a lot myself, and used to pair it with tons of cigars. But lately that "medical?" kinda taste in it always keeps me away. I know its me who has changed...

I do pick up on that ever so slightly now that you mention it. But it doesn't bother me. Funny talking about changing, when I first purchased it, I really didn't like it and pushed it to the back of my cabinet. On a whim I opened it and instantly like it about a year later. Finished off the bottle this weekend.

[Ethernut]

16 hours ago, miurajus said:

Great review!  I was drooling over the side by side open box pic.  The 07's are beautiful and lush.  Thanks again!

Glad you enjoyed! and CONGRATS on winning the Bolivar Comp!!!

[Ethernut]

12 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

Love Ardberg 10, super whisky. You can't go wrong with a POS either

Great review!

POS - YES fortunately is "isn't" that! (like an 02 box of ERDM Choix I have)