Bolivar Fabulosos (Regional Edition Benelux)

Overall Score

1 review for Bolivar Fabulosos (Regional Edition Benelux)

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    Cigar Inspector

    Bolivar Fabulosos Regional Edition Benelux

    Origin : CubaBolivar
    Format : Edmundo
    Size : 135 x 21 mm (5.3 x 52)
    Ring : 52
    Intruduced in : 2009
    Hand-Made
    Price : $20+ each

    The Bolivar Fabulosos 2009 Regional Edition Benelux was a special limited edition which was created by Habanos for the Benelux region, which refers to Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Only 2600 boxes were made, each with 25 stogies. So these cigars can be pretty tough to get a hold of. This Bolivar is a full-bodied smoke with plenty of flavor. Unfortunately, it also seems to suffer from some serious construction problems.

    Appearance : [rating:4/5]
    The Bolivar Fabulosos 2009 Regional Edition Benelux has a silky light-brown wrapper with some noticeable veins. The triple cap is a bit lumpy. Pre-light aroma is a pleasant hay smell. Construction feels even (though this turns out to be deceptive).

    Construction : [rating:2/5]
    This is where this cigar takes a serious hit. The draw was tight, and it was hard to get a lot of smoke out of it. On top of that, the burn was very uneven and required a number of corrections. I was surprised, given my high expectations for the stogie, especially at this high price point, so I did some research afterwards, hoping it was just one bad experience. It appears that these problems with the burn and the low smoke volume are quite abundant however, so that is a disappointment. Furthermore, the second sample I smoked presented similar issues.

    Bolivar Fabulosos Regional Edition Benelux

    Flavor : [rating:3.75/5] (3.75)
    The flavors on lighting up are hay and leather with nuts and spices in the backdrop, as well as something floral and woody. There is creamy chocolate, but it stays in the backdrop, and isn’t particularly prominent. Around the halfway mark, the chocolate finally comes out of hiding, and the spices get stronger. The floral aroma is still quite strong. The final third is very earthy, and the full-bodied strength packs a real punch.

    Value : [rating:2/5]
    While the flavors on the whole were enjoyable, the problems with the construction were quite severe. This would not have affected my rating so heavily if it were not for the price. Were this an inexpensive cigar, the value might’ve been higher. But even around $10 a stick, the construction would have bothered me quite a bit. Since this is a limited-edition stogie, it is very expensive, and you are going to pay an arm and a leg for a stick. At that price point, the construction problems are unacceptable.

    Overall Rating : [rating:2.5/5]
    The appearance and flavors are pleasant, but the construction and value issues pull my rating for the Bolivar Fabulosos 2009 Regional Edition Benelux down to a 2.5/5. “Average” is not something I would buy at this price point. I know that there are people who will seriously disagree with me on this one, especially given the eminence of the Bolivar name, but the construction problems were just too much. And given how many other smokers ran into them, I would not want to invest that much money again just to experience those same issues.

    Helpful?
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    • Rocket

      Thanks for that info, as BOLIVAR is my No1 brand. I just finished a box of Short Robusto from 2008 Asia Regional. Now I dig in to the second box. And they are very good. I give does 4 to 4,5 star.
      Just ordered the bigger PODEROSOS from Belgium, interesting…
      For daily smoke I can recomend Bolivar Junior, a short but heavy one.

    • Riccardo K

      Nice review, I enjoyed the cigar, but its not the best Bolivar I have ever had

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Cigar Region Cuba
Filler Cuban
Wrapper Cuban
Binder Cuban
Length 5 3/8
Ring Gauge 52
Vitola Edmundo
Construction Hand Made
Price Paid $20*