Gloves Off: Bolivar Belicoso Fino V Sancho Panza Belicoso

[El Presidente]

Gloves Off: Bolivar Belicoso Fino V Sancho Panza Belicoso

This is a tough one for me as I adore both cigars! 

Answer the poll questions assuming age of the cigars and construction quality being equal. 

Of course, answer only if you have tried both. 

 

[JohnS]

This is a tough one. They're very different cigars, and even more so with age on them. Personally, I don't mind both, but if I had to choose a prize, it would be the Sancho Panza Belicosos because they're much harder to source these days, I believe.

[Fugu]

Yeah, indeed, very different cigars, almost on the opposite ends of the scale I might say. With the Sancho Beli being the more complex and refined cigar, the Boli Beli Finos the cigar with more depth of flavours and intensity. I need both in my life.

[Duder]

Tough one as I have big love for both. The SP is more consistent and great with just a little age. BBF need lots of age for me to love them but then they are hard to beat. . Sancho Panza by a whisker. 

[Glass Half Full]

Both need age, but with great age (to me) the BBF wins for its many transitions and sheer "Bolivar" power. SP is a lovely cigar though, especially when older. 

[loose_axle]

5 hours ago, JohnS said:

This is a tough one. They're very different cigars, and even more so with age on them. Personally, I don't mind both, but if I had to choose a prize, it would be the Sancho Panza Belicosos because they're much harder to source these days, I believe.

Pretty much this. Two very diffferent cigars that I reach for equally as much for two different types of flavour. Do love the belicosos. 

[DeeBeezy]

Incredibly difficult to separate these two - two of the top performing/unique cigars in the Habanos portfolio.

7 years ago, SP beli was my favourite, but I fell out of love (with them) and I have been smoking much more BBF. Having said that, I smoked a recent production SP beli in Mayfair recently. It was outstanding. This prompted me to buy three outstanding looking boxes - buzzing given my recent experience and how hard they generally are to procure.

[Capn_Jackson]

They’re very different cigars, both beautiful. To me, though, BBF all day.

[Ford2112]

Never had a Sancho Panza. 

[joeypots]

I had one Sancho. Not impressed. I like a BBF but I smoke one about once a year and the ones I have now are nothing to write home about.

[Bagman]

Crazy. Sancho is so unique. My only guess for BBF being ahead, people who are guessing and have never had a Sancho before. That salty butterscotch taste. So unique. Truly superior cigar. BBF is great, just is more of an average Cuban. Been there, done that. When I smoke the Sancho, is is so unique and different that it leaves a great impression on me. BBF ages better though. Beyond 5 years, the Sancho sort of loses its intensity. 

[Boss Hog]

17 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

Never had a Sancho Panza. 

Blasphemy. 😞

Somebody please hook this brother up already.

[westg]

On 7/9/2026 at 7:02 AM, JohnS said:

This is a tough one. They're very different cigars, and even more so with age on them. Personally, I don't mind both, but if I had to choose a prize, it would be the Sancho Panza Belicosos because they're much harder to source these days, I believe.

They have always had an appeal to me. A truly unique Cuban cigar flavour body profile. I ticked everything Bolivar but if I had to choose a box it's Sancho. Off to Bond Roberts folks. a box won't be too far away.  

[Ford2112]

15 hours ago, Boss Hog said:

Blasphemy. 😞

Somebody please hook this brother up already.

I have seen these described as " salty driftwood". That could be good or bad!

[BrightonCorgi]

Sanchos are great when you can see mineral flecks in the wrapper. That's when the saltiness comes out.

[SirVantes]

BBFs are more complex, fuller and have the longer finish. But I'll take the SPBs as the prize. Why? Because if they are both deleted tomorrow, there's nothing to replace the SPB, to my palate, while PD4s and Trinidad Topes can both fill the space left by the BBF.

[MPS]

2020s have been absolutely stellar years for both! Tough choice!