Bolivar Libertador MSU NOV 18 (47+RW)

[Shatner's Bassoon]

This is the third from this box. Construction and draw are excellent; the burn needs touching up a couple of times but humidity here is over 80 so that’s understandable.

The first few draws are dominated by a strong coffee flavour. A slightly bitter soon becomes the predominant flavour, with an underlying vegetal note and a touch of spice on the retrohale. Body is under medium.

In the second third the cocoa is replaced by a typical Bolivar malt flavour. As the second third develops a slight creaminess appears on the palate, blending nicely with the malt to give the cigar a Guinness character. A slight touch of earth enters the building; the spice disappears from the retrohale, which develops a sweetness which also appears on the palate at the end of the second third. Body is up to medium.

In the final third the body gradually increases, earth makes way for dark chocolate, while the Guinness profile remains. The sweetness disappears from the palate but remains on the retrohale. By the end the body is medium full.

This was probably the least enjoyable cigar from this box so far. It’s good, but not great; it didn’t quite do enough to keep me interested for the full hour and 50 minutes. The flavours are classic Bolivar, but for me I think they’d be more satisfying in the more concentrated BBF, BRC, or BPC. Well worth a smoke if you like Bolivar. I give it an 89.