Bolivar Petit Belicosos EL 2009


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This cigar seems like the perfect fit for me as it’s a belicosos, which happens to be one of my favorite vitolas and is just the right length to enjoy the cigar, but not take forever. And of course, it’s a Boli! :laugh: The wrapper is very dark brown with noticeable oils and prominent veins running the length. Looking at the foot, the bunching seems like it is overfilled and the weight feels slightly on the heavy side, which both give me a little concern as to whether the draw will be good. However, with the tapered cap clipped that concern went away immediately as the draw was just right with a fresh, straightforward tobacco taste coming through. I do notice a tear in the wrapper towards the foot and what looks to be dried pectin where it was fixed, which I found strange on an EL cigar.

Slowly, I put flame to the foot getting the tobacco toasty, blowing the embers for an even burn, and then a couple quick puffs to get the smoke flowing well. And flowing well it did as volumes of smoke poured through effortlessly in the perfect draw. In the first two to three draws, the smoke was quite strong, I would say full-bodied, with a black pepper type spice on the back of the tongue and throat. The flavor of the smoke is dark brown sugar sweet with a ripe red fruit and worn leather.

About a half inch in, I start having trouble getting smoke through, as if the cigar wants to go out on me, which I attribute to the small tear in the wrapper. This was confirmed once the burn reaches the small tear, as the smoke begins to flow well again once it reaches it. The burn is sharp with a strong, medium gray ash forming that is slightly flaky. I’m finding the spice to have mellowed to that of a mild white pepper that hits the back of the tongue and throat just right, and the flavors are quite complex with notes of ripe red fruit, worn leather, and a smidgen of sweetened cocoa. Delicious! The finish left on the palate is semi lasting.

Halfway in, the spice is still there as it makes my nostrils tingle slightly when I exhale slowly through the mouth and nose. Flavors continue to be rich and rather complex, yet I can tell the tobacco is still young from the full strength coming through, my head swims slightly from it. Well, maybe a little more than slightly. At this point, the finish is excellent upon exhale, however doesn’t last very long, rather short on the palate.

Towards the end, the youth is really showing as I’m getting quite the buzz from the amount of nicotine that seems to be there. Smoke is flowing well in the perfect draw with the burn continuing to be sharp with a more lighter ash forming. I’m starting to get more of a charred wood taste the closer I get to the end, however flavors are still incredibly good on the palate when exhaling, with the finish now lasting with delicious flavor.

I have no doubt that with sufficient downtime, these will be fantastic smokes. I thoroughly enjoyed this one with sharp burn and deliciously rich, complex flavors, and the finish although short through the first half, becoming incredibly good towards the end and pairing perfectly with my morning coffee. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

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Thanks for the great review.

But I have to admit, I'm really having trouble with this cigar's reason for being - a shortened BF? I realize it can be blended to be distinct in it's

own right, but if it is to remain true to the Bolivar marque, how different can it really be?

And as Piggy has so eloquently mentioned elsewhere -- a shorter cigar, dress box, and more dinero???

Can anybody shed some light?

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Can anybody shed some light?

A fool and his money are easily parted.

Unfortunately, I have been, and will likely continue to be that fool many, many times.

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I too appreciate the review although I must say that cigar looks terribly out of proportion. Maybe if the bands were cherry flavored or something... ahhh... never mind! I mean the band looks as thought it is an inch from the foot.

Thanks for sharing the experience. This will no doubt be about as close as I get to smoking one unless someone decides to stab me in the mouth with one!!! -Senior Pig

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As my many friends here would likely attest, I never like to cause a disruption. I further must state that I don't always have the latest cigars. I have not yet smoked an '09 much less and '09 BFF or BBF EL.

BUT....

When did Simon rate a necklace that says CUBA?

ANYONE? :D

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BUT....

When did Simon rate a necklace that says CUBA?

ANYONE? :cowpoop:

Nice catch Piggy - I'd not noticed. I don't have anything recent on hand, but I did find images here and on Trevor's site that show the Cuba "necklace".

My guess is that it started some time in 2006.

Here's a link to pics:

Link

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Nice catch Piggy - I'd not noticed. I don't have anything recent on hand, but I did find images here and on Trevor's site that show the Cuba "necklace".

My guess is that it started some time in 2006.

Here's a link to pics:

Link

Nice sleuthing! I have never seen it before and have always been sensitive to banding changes. I have some '08 BGM's around but have not broken the box to see the bands. Those would be the most contemporary Bolivars that I have. I must admit I was a little surprised to see the additional wording.

Anyone else seen these bands? -:cowpoop:

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Great review and pics! It sounds like these might be a bit stronger and possibly more flavor(as oppose to a BBF) down the line. But, I'm sure the price is going to be insane at first release.

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  • 2 months later...

Bolivar Petit Belicosos LE 2009 OMA JUN 09

Wrapper was Bolivar Brown with oil, cigar was packed to the gills but excellent overall construction

Ash was tight and Grey

Initial puff was spice and pepper and intense, very spicy out of the bag, coming out like gangbusters

Flavors included hot sauce, pepper, mild sweetness

50 min smoke

Mellows a touch after the first 1”, lots of initial smoke

Penetrating burn and contained some Nicotine, first time I ever tasted that in a CC so far

Tougher draw in 2/3 due to tightness is my guess

Age may help these as overall I liked it a lot, more than some other reviewers but its no H Upmann Mag 48 LE :lol:

The size doesn’t help this cigar at all I felt

I would say a Med-Full leaning towards Full

9/10

Bart

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Nice review Bart...Nicotine and the need for some aging isn't surprising though. Still I think these have potential despite their short stature.

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Nice review Bart...Nicotine and the need for some aging isn't surprising though. Still I think these have potential despite their short stature.

I would have to agree......I like the H Upmann 48 better but I am reviewing the RyJ Duke LE tonight to compare all 2009 LE releases.

Bart

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