Cigars.ie

Bolivar Belicoso Fino

One of Bolivar’s most popular vitolas is the Belicoso Fino. Its medium size, shape, consistency and great value, make this cigar a true best seller and one of my favourite cigars. The Belicoso Fino is a Campana, measuring 52 ring gauge by 140 in length, a size that combines the torpedo end of a pyramide with the ring gauge and the length of a robusto. It comes in both dress box and SLB of 25 cigars, with the latter to be a popular choice for those who wish to age it. To accompany the cigar, we chose to open a bottle of Bushmills Black Bush and see how it will alter the taste of the cigar.

The cigar we will be smoking tonight is very well constructed, very firm and well packed. Smooth, chocolate wrapper, with little veins. A you may see in the pictures, the wrapper had some dark brown spots, known as “sun spots”, that do not affect the taste. The “sun spots” are possibly a result of moisture droplets on the cigar leaves during the drying process. A few green patches are present as well, some on the wrapper and some on the filler, visible at the foot of the cigar. Like most Bolivars, there is a strong scent of wood, as well as cocoa.

The cigar lights up very easy. It is medium bodied in the beginning, with strong taste of earth and wood, with hints of spice. The draw is on the tight side, as expected from the beginning, but its not yet unpleasant. Any uneven burn quickly evens out, while thick grey ash is forming and stays perfectly on the cigar.

After smoking about half an hour, the cigar turns into full bodied, with plenty of “kick”. The draw is slightly looser, but still tight. The flavours are more complex, with the earthy flavour being more intense. Spice, wood, cocoa and fruits, all well balanced, deliver full and robust flavours. The cigar smokes well until the end, without becoming hot or overwhelming.

Overall, the Bolivar Belicoco Fino is a great cigar, definitely one of the best of its brand and its size. Its complexity and especially its consistency and great value, make it one of the cigars you have to have in your humidor. A lot of aging potential in them too, ideally you should rest them in their boxes (preferably cabinets) for a couple of years and let them blossom!