Bolivar 'Short Bolivar' RR 2008 - update

[Ken Gargett]

Rob posted on these about 6 weeks ago – he mentioned bringing a few over at the time and the notes have finally surfaced (oh, to be an organised person). Rob was obviously very positive, as have been a lot of the comments from members. The negativity seems to be centered on size.

First, let me say, I couldn't agree more re size. What a waste of time. I think someone nailed it when they alluded to them looking like the nub from a proper cigar. Why bother?

I like to call these the Boly Fat Boys, not least because for reasons unknown it does seem to annoy Rob, and let me assert, these Fat Boys have come up short in almost every respect.

Short and stubby, I do not find them pleasing aesthetically. They look more like severed thumbs than cigars.

Cold, there were not unpleasant aromas of spice and nuts.

A promising start that was later to be crushed like a toad under a wheel – we were straight into some good Boly characteristics. Lots of nuts, roast meats, spice and old leather. So still hope, but then how appropriate that this should be released around the time of the 50th anniversary of the Revolution, to remind us just how badly hope can be destroyed.

It had quite a loose draw to start and failed to rectify this at any time. Initial big flavours were the saving grace but very soon we moved to a dirty ashtray character.

Mmmmm, ashtray!!

Sadly, that was as good as it got and that ashtray character persisted right through (sadly, so did I, but I'll know better in future, not that cigars of this length take long – though it would have been a blessing had this taken less time).

I found this particular Fat Boy neither clean nor fresh. There was a push for suggesting that it needs time, a lot more time. I'm all for it. Give it as much time as you can – preferably about 6 months past when I shuffle from the proverbial mortal coil.

Score? 60, but only because this is the season of goodwill.

No way would I fork out for these, given so many really good cigars around at the moment. If you are a diehard Boly Boy yourself, and prepared to take a chance, good luck. But don't blame me if down the track these turn out to be the proverbial child of Lear and you find you just how sharper than the serpent's tooth a thankless Boly Fat Boy can be.

In case anyone is wondering, I didn't like it.

[shrink]

Ken, one of the complaints I have against short and fat cigars (apart from their unpleasant aesthetics) is the way in which this format tends to produce a harsh, bitter smoke. This is especially true of younger cigars. I believe that the longer cigars, such as lonsdales, serve as their own "filters", smoothing the profile by absorbing some of the acids and tars. I had a VR Clasico today that served as an excellent example of this principle. Every "stubbie" I've smoked is prone to this problem.

[Ken Gargett]

Ken, one of the complaints I have against short and fat cigars (apart from their unpleasant aesthetics) is the way in which this format tends to produce a harsh, bitter smoke. This is especially true of younger cigars. I believe that the longer cigars, such as lonsdales, serve as their own "filters", smoothing the profile by absorbing some of the acids and tars. I had a VR Clasico today that served as an excellent example of this principle. Every "stubbie" I've smoked is prone to this problem.

shrink, i think that there is definitely something to that.

[Colt45]

In case anyone is wondering, I didn't like it.

I'm a Bolivar fan, but will pass on the Boli Fat Boys.

Thanks for the candid review.

[mbrody]

The second Fat Boy I tried was more like Ken's description. The first was more like Rob's and was promising.

I attribute the 2nd to an even looser draw than the first. My feeling is the stupidly loose draw is making it taste more like a cigarette than a cigar.

[solid]

So is Habanos trying to make everything they make into short fat stubs? First Hoyo then Monte, C'mon! We can all find time to enjoy a nice robusto. There's no enjoyment in smoking a stub!

[anacostiakat]

I have to say that I had no intention on acquiring any of these due to the size.

This has merely reinforced my initial thoughts. Thanks, Ken.

[soltino]

Ken, one of the complaints I have against short and fat cigars (apart from their unpleasant aesthetics)...

Couldn't agree with you more shrink.

[stargazer14]

I hear an awful lot of bashing the short guys here. Is there not a place and time for everything?

I have not tried the Boli Shorts, but, I very much enjoy the Hoyo Petite Robustos,

not only do they taste great when I know I wont have time for a longer cigar(it gets nippy here in the winter),

but they also almost always leave me wanting just a bit more. And that is not always a bad thing for me.

[Ken Gargett]

I hear an awful lot of bashing the short guys here. Is there not a place and time for everything?

I have not tried the Boli Shorts, but, I very much enjoy the Hoyo Petite Robustos,

not only do they taste great when I know I wont have time for a longer cigar(it gets nippy here in the winter),

but they also almost always leave me wanting just a bit more. And that is not always a bad thing for me.

understand what you are saying size and shape. for me, i am very much not a fan of the small cigars (petit corona's i can manage at times - especially plpc). they remind me too much o cigarettes (and that is coming from someone who has never smoked a singloe cigarette in his life).

my main complaint re these is that, from the example i tried, it was dreadful. if it had been a terrific short fat then much can be forgiven. you cannot forgive the thing i smoked.

[perfectform]

Piggybacking on this, I tried my first of these after 29 days of rest. I think they need more like 290 days. Times 3. This truly was not good. And definately not Bolivar. However, I am a huge fan of the Hoyo Petite Robustos and an even bigger fan of Bolivar, so I was kind of excited to try this guy, bashing on this board notwithstanding.

It was very ugly to look at first of all. Veiny and it had kind of a strange greenish tint to the wrapper. Terrible opening. Way too open of a draw for my tastes. The first third was just wretched. I can understand youth in a cigar but this was absolutely infantile. Harsh, harsh, harsh.

Second third it actually kind of opened up a bit, but by that time you look at it and think, this is almost finished. Slight, very slight notes of cream coming through.

Middle of the last third, it went into the ashtray. Truly, for me, a very unremarkable cigar. If I had a box, I wouldn't dare to touch it for a minimum of 3 years. But then it would just be taking up space in my cooler. 55/100