Bolivar Belicosos Finos - TAO NOV 20 (VVRW#2)

[Scubasteve20]

First review here ever. Had a lovely daddy/daughter sushi date night and the weather is perfect here tonight. Grabbed a BBF from a box I split/gifted recently from a 24:24 purchase, PSP of course. As good as everything with a '20 stamp on it has been, I wasn't scared to sample from this batch a little early. My palette seemed to be sensitive today and I actually remembered to take some notes. Though a Campana and not a true Piramide, I'm assuming it still counts.  

 

Pre-light: What a barnyard!, in a pleasant, sweet way. Very intense barnyard but not at all un-appealing. Draw is a little firmer than I like but workable. Can feel a bit of a knot right under the band. 

 

1st 3rd: S'mores. 'Nuff said. A little cocoa, slightly burnt sugar, graham cracker, sweet toasted tobacco. Zero "young" taste. A little mongrel is there in a good way, for me. Relatively stable with this profile through the 1st. Like a great MC2 with balls... very refined balls. Found myself rolling it a bit trying to loosen the draw. A day or 3 of real dry-boxing would've been a good investment. 

2nd 3rd: Like a switch, everything turns to to tea. Draw is firm, but ok now. Thick smoke without extra effort.  Another 10 mins in and the tea starts to mingle with the initial s'mores notes. Cream begins to pop in every so-often as well. Med-full bodied so far. Some earthiness and baking spices start to show, eventually revealing....

3rd 3rd: Carrot Cake! That's where the baking spices and cream met each other. Very dynamic, rich. Retrohale is dessert. The spices, tobacco, sweetness and cream are playing very nice together. Toasted nuts and stout are intermittently present as well now. I lost the last pic but I removed the band & nubbed a little. IMO these don't need any down time but have some legs to go at least a few years. No need to wait beyond acclimation time for me, I like 'em like this. 

This was one of my most favorite cigars of the last 2 years. Very well-behaved throughout. A solid 93 for me right now. 

 

[Bijan]

Great review! Thanks! Can't wait to try some more of them. I haven't had one since the Christmas sampler but I remember it was one of the top ones there.

[Scubasteve20]

@Bijan, Thanks! I love to have the chance to review nowadays. I've missed this hobby so much and really appreciate the maturity around here. My palette and flavor descriptions might not be the best, but there are folks out there who can relate I'm sure. Recently, I find myself very glad I'm stocking up on the 2018-2020 crop. Very different than what I remember 10-15 years ago. So much good stuff to be had on the market right now. I'd say maybe its just me, but the world seems to agree.

[Bri Fi]

Great review. I’ve never gotten s’mores from a Bolivar. I’m sure there’s no complaints. Congrats on an awesome dinner and smoke. 

[smbauerllc]

Nice review.
The BBF is one of my favorite smokes

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[rcarlson]

Good job.  After a fair number of BRCs, I dipped my toe into the pool on the BBF recently too.  I haven't identified most of the flavors you got out of them, but I did get that sweetness through the middle and a creamy, bready, nougaty goodness.  Maybe my palate has become desensitized, but I haven't found the lay-em-down strength some describe from my one-and-only 2020 box.  They're ready to go IMO, and frankly I don't find really any CCs to be offensively strong ROTT.  I'll be getting more.          

[Mickey D]

I received a box last week. I’ll definitely have to give one a try soon. 
‘Thanks for the review.

[smbauerllc]

Good job.  After a fair number of BRCs, I dipped my toe into the pool on the BBF recently too.  I haven't identified most of the flavors you got out of them, but I did get that sweetness through the middle and a creamy, bready, nougaty goodness.  Maybe my palate has become desensitized, but I haven't found the lay-em-down strength some describe from my one-and-only 2020 box.  They're ready to go IMO, and frankly I don't find really any CCs to be offensively strong ROTT.  I'll be getting more.          

I agree about smokes rott.
Maybe its just 2019/2020 sticks being particularly good (the general consensus I have read in many places is that they are exceptionally good years), but i usually start smoking sticks after only a couple weeks to rest and acclimate and have enjoyed them very much.

The BBF is one of my favorite smokes. On the stronger side, but certainly not too strong and overpowering on the palate.
Have been keeping a few on my stash steadily for about a year now.

Certainly nothing wrong with the BRC either. Also a very nice smoke and something I have been keeping on hand too

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[Scubasteve20]

2 hours ago, Bri Fi said:

Great review. I’ve never gotten s’mores from a Bolivar. I’m sure there’s no complaints. Congrats on an awesome dinner and smoke. 

Best way I could put the flavors together in the beginning. I didn't know what to expect being relatively new to Bolivars in general. I was prepared for somewhere between savory Partagas spice and RASS. I also haven't smoked much in the last couple weeks so my taste buds were fresh. Everything I picked up was a notch sweeter that I would've guessed.

 

 

[jonnyfromiranny]

I believe I got that same box code and year as you. Can’t wait to try kind. Will be my first time tasting Bolivar. 

[Mrcpt]

Great review, I also noticed the marked transition to tea after a sweet creamy start. Love BBF!

[karp]

Nice description - sounds like the 2020 BBFs are on fire!

[oneizzzz]

Thanks for the review!  Stoked it was good - got a box of these on the way.