Bolivar Belicoso Fino ENE 07

[Colt45]

I was with you until the meat stock reference.....

[aavkk]

Fantastic!!! just grabbed a box of these. Sounds like with a little age these babies are going to be outrageous. Thanks for the great review as always Rob.

[jdbrown]

Has been on my buy list for years and still dont know why in the hell I have not bought a box! Makes no sense

[shrink]

I have been boycotting the BBF for years. They were once my favorite Bolivar, and have fallen to the near the bottom, even below the once boring Royal Coronas. It's good to hear that they're making a comeback.

[sptcigars]

got an nov06 box from lisa not too long ago. I swear with the right amount of dry boxing, this is one fantastic cigar. For me, the pepper was there in the first but it does fad out to clove, lots of clove, and earthy tobacco. I'm glad to see the 07 is staying consistent. Every time I'm looking for another habano to put on my wishlist, I look at the BBF and think,, why don't I just get another box of these.

unfortunately I swear I've given more away as gifts than I've smoke. Damn generosity. ;-)

[jwm8592]

Hey sptcigars, I could use some generosity. I've never had a BBF, not to mention the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept in the NBA finals, and the Cleveland Indians only needed to win 1 out of 3 games to go to the World Series, didn't happen. I know I'm reaching into the past but why put limits on yourself!!:-D

[gehrig24]

jwm8952

I am a Sox fan and was happy to see your Indians loose but shot me your email and I will send you a couple bbf to get you through the winter months.

[Tampa1257]

Nice to know that the BBF is making progress toward a return, For several years, basically the last really good BBF's that I have smoked were from 2001, but 2003-2004-2005 and early 2006 were not worth buying in my opinion. The RA Belicoso Fino and the SCDH La Punta were hands down much better Campanas in my opinion. Truly a worthy cigar when on, and it sounds like they are beginning to make a come back. Frankly it is about time!

[luv2fly]

Smoked one from 2001 and it was the bomb! I love this cigar and I would love to have 10 boxes aging. Unfortunatly, I have no patience!:-D

Sorry about my spelling.

[El Presidente]

Bolivar Belicoso Fino ENE 07

The BBF has had a major transformation since last quarter of 2006. A few members have raved of SEPT/OCT/NOV 06 and my last one reviewed from this period was stellar indeed.

So onto this January 2007 example from an open box in the humidor. Certainly looked the part. Good wrapper albeit not overly dark or oily as many form late 06. Smell at cold was simply fresh chicken poop mixed with pungeant tobacco. Weight in hand was right but there was a small hard spot just before the band.

Clipped the end and took a long pre light draw. Excellent with no impediment from the tight spot. Residual flavour on the lips all toasted tobacco.

Fired up the foot and within 60seconds I new that the BBF revival continues unabated. Hard hiting white pepper through the nose. Big mouthfeel of damp earth, black pepper and baked cottage ricotta cheese. While big on the senses the cigar itself was a medium in body and mouthfeel. Hard to describe this. Picture a fighter/boxer with a well rehearsed but limited skill set. Yet he possesses a great right hook, great left jab and a mean uppercut. Well in this BBF the white pepper was the right hook, the wet earth the left jab and the baked ricotta cheese the nasty little uppercut.

Throughout the first third this BBf stuck squarley to the game plan. It never ventured outside of its comfort zone and continued to replay the core flavours and do so exceedingly well.

Into the second third and the pepper notes are tiring to be replaced by some lovely black coffee notes. Thick black Turkish coffee of the finest ordr. The smooth baked ricotta is still there and the wet earth of Bolivar forms the spine. Mouthfeel is not as viscous as I expect. In so many elements it is a "Big" cigar with strong and clean dominant flavours but it lacking a little mid palate definition at this period of its development. I could only describe it as medium/medium full.

Into the final third and the missing mid palate is finally being filled out by meat stock/gravey which goes well with the earth and the remaining pepper spiciness. The baked ricotta is still there but losing its intensity to copious toasted tobacco. More and more it is becoming and old world Habanos cigar. Strong, satisfying, reliable. The bod y is now full and it has achieved the holy trinity of the cigar world: Body, complexity, personality.

When I finished this cigar I know I have smoked a very good BBF. It was true to its BBF and Bolivar heritage and it has a hell of a long way to go. It does need to iron out some rough edges but it has the core package to go all the way and become a great.

89/100 4/6 smokerings.