Bolivar Demi Tasse OSU ABR 01 (BWRC)

[CaptainQuintero]

  I love these little 30x3.9" sticks, they show why there is zero need for petit robustos or the new shorts of various brands, what Cuba had in the various Demi Tasse were 25 minute perfection. No one does small format cigars like Cuba, but they've forgotten one of their proudest talents.

  Great construction, perfect draw.

  The first third bursts into life with a ripe date core, aftertaste of almonds and sweet black coffee. Sticks of this size need to bring it from the get go and there's no problem with that here. It's straight into stride.

  The second third keeps at medium body but a complete change in flavours has begun. Gone are the dates and nuts. It's freshly baked rye bread with a hot cup of honeyed expresso. These show what a bigger laguito #1 could bring to the table and shame on Habanos for not bringing that ideal to life.

  Sipping at the cigar now to avoid it overheating and it's another wholesale change in flavours. It's pure black forest gateaux; lashings of kirsch and high percentage dark chocolate. It's teasing medium full body.

  I thought this was it for such a little cigar but again another change in the last nubbing sixth; the sticky date sweetness comes back accompanied with well toasted rye bread.

  I don't know how to grade this, I don't think I've ever given a 100/100 score before but I honestly don't see what else this cigar could have done. It's set out what it wants to be and utterly delivered on it. There's been no negatives, not one. You can't even ask for a longer smoke, the cigar would look down it's nose at you for even daring to cast doubt on it's purpose. 

25 minutes of perfection

100/100

[Derboesekoenig]

Ohmygod I want! I would rather smoke a minuto than a ERDM Demi-Tasse, but not a huge fan of CoShos. They are...all right. This sounds more in tune with what I would prefer. Wish they still made these. I think the only demi-tasse left is the ERDM, right?

Great review, by the way. I hope the cigar gods allow me to find a box of these one day...

[CaptainQuintero]

6 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Ohmygod I want! I would rather smoke a minuto than a ERDM Demi-Tasse, but not a huge fan of CoShos. They are...all right. This sounds more in tune with what I would prefer. Wish they still made these. I think the only demi-tasse left is the ERDM, right?

Great review, by the way. I hope the cigar gods allow me to find a box of these one day...

  Off the top of my head there the ERDM DT, Montecristo Joyitas which is a tad thinner and the Cohiba Exquisitos are all around the same kind of size. But yeah, it's very thin on the ground now sadly

[Stump89]

Great review! Sounds like a sublime experience! I think most of the marcas should have a demi tasse or something similar because they always work for me.

[Jbhunter223]

@CaptainQuintero  how were these young compared to aged as they are now?  

[CaptainQuintero]

21 minutes ago, Jbhunter223 said:

@CaptainQuintero  how were these young compared to aged as they are now?  

I only picked them up 6/7 years ago I think, so I'm not sure how they were fresh. I think @PigFish has experience of fresh ones. When I got them they were still special, my notes say

"very full bodied and that builds. Starts off strong dark coffee then rich bran and then sweet fermented berries. 94/100"

So quite a change, but then again I've found that some really interesting changes start to appear as age kicks on.

 

[PigFish]

... I tried to buy these by the 1000 lot once from a vendor. We had initially agreed on the price, just bulk packed and unbanned without boxes but he reneged on the deal. Too damn bad!

I fully concur, with this review. If you wonder why, I have boohooed larger ring cigars and laughed at those paying out the rear for all this tobacco with two bands and a fancy box, you only need to smoke a few of these to know.

To answer the age question, I was lesser focused on climatology and more in line with those of you who think 'aging' a cigar is a key factor back then. I was just experimenting and experiencing how water content (more than age) affects the taste of a cigar. Back then I might have said that they 'age' well. In general, I have always found them to be punchy, robust cigars. Not what you would expect by looking at one. I also think '01 was a banner year for great tasting cigars. I think I am in the minority here.

I have smoked a lot of these. I don't recall ever smoking a bad one. However, like all Cuban cigars there is no one cigar that eludes the fact that they are hand made, and are sometimes made buy a person that hates his/her job and does not give a shit...! At what they used to cost, I would not work much on a bad one (in theory, and therefore not remember it) and just toss it.

I would be pretty damn happy sitting on a few hundred of these! Sadly, it is not the case.

Nice review mate! -R

[CigarScentedBeard]

I'm a Bolivar fan and have never tried these. For sure adding them to a buy to try list! Thanks for the review.

[Derboesekoenig]

55 minutes ago, CigarScentedBeard said:

I'm a Bolivar fan and have never tried these. For sure adding them to a buy to try list! Thanks for the review.

Good luck even trying to find them

[Sudzdaddy]

1 hour ago, PigFish said:

I also think '01 was a banner year for great tasting cigars. I think I am in the minority here.

Thanks for weighing in, PigFish!  Also, I concur; I wouldn't give up my '99-'01 stock for anything!

 

[Smallclub]

I've been lucky to smoke a few of these (same provenance I guess, as they were gifted to me by a BOTL from UK), and I too was stunned at the complexity and tastiness of this Entreacto… A gem!

[CigarScentedBeard]

4 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Good luck even trying to find them

Of course, everytime I want something it's impossible to get, maybe someone will love me for my bday

[CigarScentedBeard]

4 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Good luck even trying to find them

Ooooooooo maybe the upcoming auctions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CaptainQuintero]

3 hours ago, Smallclub said:

I've been lucky to smoke a few of these (same provenance I guess, as they were gifted to me by a BOTL from UK), and I too was stunned at the complexity and tastiness of this Entreacto… A gem!

  Yep same box. Last week I found the old bits of plastic pipe I used for posting them and the Hoyo short coronas from the mystery cigar challenge, it's going on 6+ years ago now!