Bolivar Belicosos Finos TEB Nov 07

[kilroy]

Just under the wire I was able to get outside today and have one of my favorite cigars... a Bolivar Belicosos Finos.

Prelight: Beautifully colored wrapper with a tight foot. The only blemish was a little scrunched up vein on the wrapper. The box smells like a box of hay and earth and the prelight draw was all wood and tobacco. The draw was perfect!

First third: I was so excited to get a taste of this cigar that I forgot to take pictures prelight! The foot lit up well and I was immediately hit with thick bolivar taste of earth and creams. The smoke is very thick and very lingering with those rich toasty flavors. I'm very happy the wind is calm right now.

I always get excited to smoke this cigar but the second that I taste those rich flavors I'm lulled back into my chair and just want to relax and enjoy it while it's in my hands.

Middle Third: The taste has slowly evolved into a little less earthy into creamy leathers. I really can't place my finger on it because I'm enjoying it too much to really care about all the things I'm tasting. I'm also getting bad about remembering to do things like take pictures. I did finally notice how beautiful the ash was so I thought I'd stop and get a pic:

Final Third: The leathery notes are still there lingering but those heavy earth and cream tastes are there to stay. I keep smoking until I found myself sitting there with the last inch in my hands. I'd been sipping my coffee and puffing on it for about 5 minutes before I even noticed it had gone out.

Conclusion: I've realized that I'm not a very good person for cigar reviewing. When I get one I like I completely phase out of what I was supposed to do and melt into my chair for the next hour. I can review one that is good but doesn't have the flavor profile I like. Of course... I love all cuban cigars... so when I do find a line that's good that I dont like I'll let you know.

Score: 92/100

[Colt45]

Good to hear you enjoyed it. The BBF and BRC are my least favorite of the line - I don't dislike them, I just enjoy most of

the rest of the line more.

And though I've not tried one, I'll say I like the BFB (Boli Fat Boy) the least - I just don't care for the size

[kilroy]

Good to hear you enjoyed it. The BBF and BRC are my least favorite of the line - I don't dislike them, I just enjoy most of

the rest of the line more.

And though I've not tried one, I'll say I like the BFB (Boli Fat Boy) the least - I just don't care for the size

Me I love all the Bolivars. I've been surprised at how mild the BRC can be while almost every BBF I've had has been full and robust. I just got my hands on some BCE and they're dead on profile but much more balanced. I've actually got more Bolivars in my humidor now than Partagas!

[El Presidente]

Nice review Kilroy.

BBF made a welcome comeback in 07. They are getting back to somewhere near where they once were.

[Habanos2000]

Nice review Andy,

I'm a Boli fan, especially the RC's which fit into my smoking time frame. I haven't had a BBF in a long time but am sure looking forward to one now!

[ironpeddler]

Nice review Kilroy.

BBF made a welcome comeback in 07. They are getting back to somewhere near where they once were.

Isn't that the truth! They were at their best in the middle to end of the 90s. I smoked them more than any other cigar in that time period....then they died a quick death. I sampled them over the years and finally jumped back in in 2007 as well. I'm just hoping it's not a nostalgic buy. The current construction is no where near where it used to be, but it's a start. The taste is not what I would call 'Classic Bolivar' but it does have some interesting notes through the smoke so far. Time will tell.

[terrantheman]

I love the BBF's as I've not sampled to many but the 07's that I got were fantastic and still seem to be smoking pretty darn good. What's up with sick periods any way? Should I be expecting these to go sick any time soon?

[OveK]

I have some BBF left in my box from 03.

They are not just great, they are outstanding. The best cigar i have for the moment.

Some says 07 are to be even greater in time.

It´s a perfect smoke for me. Rich thick smoke. Taste stays in the mouth for hours.

It´s one of the best spent hour you ever will have.

[smokem]

Some says 07 are to be even greater in time.

Any concensus on 06s? I have a box, POS JUL06, that are good but not outstanding. Haven't had one on a while though. from

[stargazer14]

Had one last nite during the Eagles failed bid to get in the SuperBowl.

Was a wonderful smoke (07 box).

[Bill Hayes]

I smoked the BBF 08 over christmas. I have since ordered more. If they were better a decade ago then they must have been outstanding. But I love that earthy profile.

[Jimmy2]

The Nov 07 that i had from Rob were outstanding !!!!!!! And i was the first to say they were back from the dead back than those 2 boxes are Longgggggggg gone.

They will be put on my list as i have not had one in a long time.

[El Presidente]

I love the BBF's as I've not sampled to many but the 07's that I got were fantastic and still seem to be smoking pretty darn good. What's up with sick periods any way? Should I be expecting these to go sick any time soon?

Some do and some don't. I haven't experienced it yet with the 07 BBF's.

[dmuchow]

Every '07 BBF from the box i have has not let me down, the best have been The Best Cigar Ever (a title i give to a new cigar about once a month), and the worst were a bit of a loose draw but still great.

As for the BRC's i have, its been hit or miss between draw and burn, and the flavor profile just doesn't do it for me. The best thing going for them is that they are in my favorite size group.

[kilroy]

I haven't had a BBF sick period episode (yet). I was luck enough to get a box that was past that point apparently.

I did run across a box of BPC that just went through a sick period. The only way I can describe it is that they went into a NC phase. Basically they tasted like a cheap, bland NC. After a few months, however, the taste went back to amazing... even more so now then before the sick period!