Given all the, no doubt deserved and also welcome plaudits for the recent spate of limited edition smokes that have come on board recently, I felt like stepping up with a review of a plain ol’ 98 Bolivar PC from the cab that cost me about four bucks at the time.
Pre-light: an oily uniform Colorado wrapper with strains of black seeping through and some blue (not moldy) patches emerging. The construction is firm, not to say hard, but with an ever-so-slight give between the fingers, a good combination. Bouquet is subdued, but the unlit draw after the cut is, at the same time, vibrant and musty.
From the light on, it’s evident that this one’s a winner. It doesn’t have the full power of the old Bolivars of the 70s (as far back as I go), but it does have a ton of flavor—as for spice, I’m getting nutmeg and white pepper, and midway through it developed that espresso-grounds oiliness that is typical of larger format Bolis. Thereafter, it retained an unctuous depth and strength—no creaminess here, just full-throttled leather and spice and rich loam—all in a chewy finish that lasts for a full minute. The ash is firm and long, and this little puppy lasted for over an hour. Just a tremendous smoke and yet another reminder of how great a “regular” Habanos can be.
The GOOSE gifted me a 94 (I think—lots of wine beforehand) Partagas Tres Petit that was also stunning. More forward and aggressively powerful and one-dimensional than this Boli PC, but oh my goodness, what a dimension! A thrill of voluminous, rustic strength in every draw, and yet tempered by the years into perfection at every take/toke.
Two great, "regular" release smokes!
Finally, the club needs more reviews! Gorillas, come out, come out wherever you are and report on your smokes, please! We all need vicarious pleasure!!!
Pre-light: an oily uniform Colorado wrapper with strains of black seeping through and some blue (not moldy) patches emerging. The construction is firm, not to say hard, but with an ever-so-slight give between the fingers, a good combination. Bouquet is subdued, but the unlit draw after the cut is, at the same time, vibrant and musty.
From the light on, it’s evident that this one’s a winner. It doesn’t have the full power of the old Bolivars of the 70s (as far back as I go), but it does have a ton of flavor—as for spice, I’m getting nutmeg and white pepper, and midway through it developed that espresso-grounds oiliness that is typical of larger format Bolis. Thereafter, it retained an unctuous depth and strength—no creaminess here, just full-throttled leather and spice and rich loam—all in a chewy finish that lasts for a full minute. The ash is firm and long, and this little puppy lasted for over an hour. Just a tremendous smoke and yet another reminder of how great a “regular” Habanos can be.
The GOOSE gifted me a 94 (I think—lots of wine beforehand) Partagas Tres Petit that was also stunning. More forward and aggressively powerful and one-dimensional than this Boli PC, but oh my goodness, what a dimension! A thrill of voluminous, rustic strength in every draw, and yet tempered by the years into perfection at every take/toke.
Two great, "regular" release smokes!
Finally, the club needs more reviews! Gorillas, come out, come out wherever you are and report on your smokes, please! We all need vicarious pleasure!!!
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