Popular Post ayedfy Posted July 3, 2023 Popular Post Posted July 3, 2023 I know some people enjoy a bit of scene-setting to give context for the review conditions, so let’s paint the picture. 9pm on a Sunday night, 9°C outside (warm for a Canadian I guess, too bloody cold for an Australian). 14mo woke me up at 4:45am, bed is calling my name. I need something short and punchy, I’m reaching for a Bolivar Petit Corona. Purchased as a single mid 2022. I reviewed another single purchased at the same time towards the end of 2022. I began this review fresh, then referred back to the prior review to compare and contrast. Opening third: gently spicy introduction with cloves, bay leaves, and a bit more pepper than I’ve previously detected. Began light bodied and fairly muted, but ballooned up to the fuller flavours from my memory after a few minutes. A definite sweet fruit element - I detected mango last time, but tonight a twinge more acidic, leading me more towards ripe pineapple. There’s also a distinct savoury note I couldn’t put my finger on until I referred to my notes and it became clear as day - Yorkshire pudding. Middle third: a new flavour emerged that I don’t believe has struck me in this or any cigar - spearmint, front and centre, buffered by the continuation of those earthy spices. The fruit faded out and the savoury note subdued. Body dropped to light-medium which surprised me, but shouldn’t have as it appears the same happened last time. What was a slightly firm draw relaxed, although unfortunately a prominent split began to form in the wrapper just before the halfway mark. Final third: the mint dropped off fairly suddenly, alongside a reviving fruit sweetness, although at this stage more mellow/sans acidity, heading more into the mango territory, perhaps even papaya. Earthy spice character briefly disappeared before easing back into a supporting role. Touches of fresh bread and new leather at the end, body holding around light to medium, however the split in the wrapper got out of control and ended the cigar prematurely. Mostly quite enjoyable but not without its issues. Complexity of flavour was generally there but the boldness I recalled was not, and the construction issues caused it to lose a few more points. 75/100 11
El Presidente Posted July 3, 2023 Posted July 3, 2023 excellent review Spearmint is not something that I have experienced (from memory) on a BPC. 2
GVan Posted July 3, 2023 Posted July 3, 2023 BPC's and BCJ's are two of my favorite go-to's when I want a shorter smoke. Cloves - yes, bay leaves and other light spices with leather and earth is the most prominent flavors for me. I do occasionally get a sweetness off of both of these that I'll have to pay closer attention to and see if I get one of the fruit flavors mentioned. 1
SCgarman Posted July 3, 2023 Posted July 3, 2023 Considering these used to be a $150/box of cigars that now retail for over $300 that is a failing grade. 75/100 points on the Cigar Aficionado rating scale is a "yard gar". But we all know HSA is thumbing their arrogant nose at the world, since so many have the "FOMO" factor these days. They will sell every box regardless of their mediocrity. 1
ayedfy Posted July 4, 2023 Author Posted July 4, 2023 75/100 points on the Cigar Aficionado rating scale is a "yard gar".I’ll never get a job at CA so I try to use a more reasonable rating system. These days 60-70 would be “boring but smokeable, would be happy to receive as a gift but would regret spending my own coin. 70-80 is “noticeable flaws but still an enjoyable smoke”. 80-90 is “great, wouldn’t think twice about getting a box”, 90+ is “truly exceptional, unforgettable”. At current prices if I bought a box and they were all like this, I’d feel a little disappointed. If 1/4 were like this and the rest were better, I’d chalk up a win.
Euripidespants Posted July 4, 2023 Posted July 4, 2023 Bolivar has always been one of my favorite brands, but the the last few boxes of pc I got were prone to tight draws. I used to tolerate that but I can’t anymore. BCJ seems way better.
SCgarman Posted July 4, 2023 Posted July 4, 2023 I have a 2011 box bought from our host that were very flavorful when young. Now 10+ years later, they seem to have lost their strong Bolivar flavor and body. They have fallen flat dead with age. Very strange.
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