Bolivar Belicosos

Description

Last Tuesday I was hunkered down in the back corner of my grandfather’s old library, you know, the kind of place where the air smells like vanilla and dust and secrets. That’s a room with wall-to-wall floor-to-ceiling oak shelves dusted by finalists in the feather-duster category of WoodCareUSA’s 1997 national championship competition. I was looking for a first-edition map of the Andes — don’t ask, I have these adventurous impulses — when a fat, leather-bound volume of South American history fell over. There fell out a sepia photograph, dog-eared and smelling vaguely of cedar.

It was a photo of a younger version of my old man standing next to a bronze statue of Simón Bolívar in a sun-dappled plaza, palm trees and pastelado as background. His expression, a cross between half-smirk and half-defiance was made even more challenging by the bloated but business-like cigar he clutched. Looking at that image, I was overcome with a sudden, cloddish tickle in my throat that everything else could have scratched but one thing. The map was no longer required. I knew exactly where I was headed. I stepped web-footed down the rolling ladder, skirted the scotch, made a bee-line for the humidor and picked out a stick that I felt was equal to the grit of that photo.

That smoke? The Bolivar Belicosos Finos. It’s a cigar that doesn’t lie passively in your hand; it insists you take notice of it. It’s even named after the “Liberator” himself, and honestly, spend an hour with it and you’ll want to start a little revolution of your very own.

The Specs

Construction: A Heavy Hitter in the Palm

When you pull a Belicosos Finos out of the humidor, the first thing you notice is its weight. It feels substantial. It’s not some light-as-a-feather puff that you can forget is in your hand. Wrapper is a dark, oily Colorado shade, generally with some visible veins that make it look rugged and honest. It’s hand-rolled at the Partagás factory, and you can tell those rollers ain’t fooling around. The taper at the head — it’s called the “Campanas” shape — is very sharp and defined.

I gave the foot a nice sniff before lighting up. I sniffed and received a solid slug of barnyard, damp earth and some dark cocoa. The cold draw was firm but not tight. Ever have a cigar where the draw is too open so it feels like you are sucking air through a straw? This isn’t that. It’s not so stiff that the cigar feels like a Johnny-Rocket muddler, but it has enough resistance to tell you its walls are full of fine Grade A Vuelta Abajo leaf. I snipped the tip with a straight cutter. Just enough to get that airflow flowing without feeing like I lost that nice taper. Before the flame even hit the foot of this one, my mouth was watering.

Flavor Profile: The Three Acts

The Wake-Up Call: The First Third

The second I took a puff, after toasting the foot, I knew this one would be a ride. There is no “gentle introduction” with a Bolivar. With a first puff, it smacks you upside the roof of your mouth with a rich, thick creamy smoke that has notes of toasted tobacco and raw cocoa. There’s a woodiness to it — not cedar, but something like old oak — and a strong mineral note that calls to mind the red soil in Pinar del Río. Ten minutes in and a little bit of light spice began to develop on the retrohale. It wasn’t a burn, exactly — just a sprinkle of nutmeg. It’s bold and earthy and unapologetically Cuban.

The Second Third: Coffee/Coffee Leather

Centered in the stick, the flavors began to hit a stride. The cocoa became something akin to a café au lait and creamy, though with a jolt of caffeine. And here is where the Bolivar really flexes its muscle. I was now getting a heavy dose of leather and a rich, savory undertone that left me thinking roasting peanuts with no salt. The burn was all right, one thing I always appreciate. I didn’t have to touch it up at all. The ash was a firm, stony edifice of gray that finally gave way at almost 2 inches when I tapped it off. This is the “meat” of the cigar, where you start to get some serious strength. As a beginner, you might start to get a little lightheaded here, but for me, it was just getting good.

The Last Third: A Spicy Ending

It is in the final couple of inches that the Belicosos Finos really justifies its status. The taper of the head focuses them all right onto the palate. Hints of vanilla and caramel that had been lying in wait took the stage for a moment, but were then overwhelmed by a wave of white pepper and one of the deepest, darkest coffees. It got hot, but not bitter. I smoked it down to the nub, when my fingers were nearly burning. The finish was long, with the same spicy, earthy tingle on my tongue lasting long after I had dropped it into the ashtray. Oh, it’s a heavy ending, no two ways around it.

Pairing: Don’t Bring a Knife to a Gunfight

You don’t want to put Bolivar Belicosos Finos with anything dainty. A light pilsner or maybe a floral tea isn’t going to stand a chance against this cigar. I’m a big believer in strength against strength. I went double pour with a dark, aged Guatemalan rum. The rich molasses sweetness of the rum contrasted with the earthy, cocoa notes in the cigar so well. If you drink coffee, that’s very goodTara recommends a morning double espresso, no sugar. You need something to put in the face of a “Liberator” and have it actually keep its own. You could also go with a peaty Islay scotch, like Ardbeg or Laphroaig, if you want to play up that smoky-mineral profile.

What’s Good and What’s Not So Glowing: Who Is This For?

Listen, I’m going to be honest with you. This is not, Mr. Kotchen says, the kind of smoke one has “with a newspaper in the morning.” (Also it’s not a “first-timer” cigar.) If you hand this to someone who has never smoked a cigar they’re going to have a bad time. This is for when you’re an experienced smoker and need something dependable that’s strong full flavored. It’s a Habanos classic for a reason.

When it comes to cost, Cuban cigars are never “cheap,” but the Belicosos Finos felt like it was offering something for the price of admission. It’s a regular production stick, so you don’t need to track one down like it’s some rare limited edition but smokes like something special every time. Whether you’re toasting to a victory or just chilling in a dusty library reminiscing about old travels, it’s a reliable friend.

The Verdict

I have to tell you, after smoking that stick and reflecting on the photo of my old man, I felt closer to their story somehow. There’s a reason the Bolivar Belicosos Finos is a classic. It doesn’t try to be cool; it doesn’t even try to be discreet. It’s a spicy, earthy leathery powerhouse that delivers from the first light to last puff. It’s produced with hardened cast iron you can rely on, and a flavor profile so deep it could feed a South American canyon.

If you like your cigars full, and have an hour to kill, you can hardly go wrong here. It’s a good, full-bodied smoke that reminds you why Cuban tobacco is so highly regarded. Just be sure you’ve had a good, full meal before you light this. You will require the fuel.

Final Thoughts: A reliable, punchy classic that does everything it says on the tin. That’s why it’s often called the “George Washington of cigars.” Solid.