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Connoisseur's Corner, February 2005
Posted: Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Reprinted from the February 2005 issue of Cigar Aficionado
Consider the beauty of a Bolivar Belicoso Fino, one of Cuba's finest cigars. Now summon the patience of Job and ignore that cigar for nearly a decade before putting it to the flame. European Editor James Suckling did just that, and the result is a classic smoke, 95 points of full-bodied power and complexity. The cigar was packed in a dress box, not a cabinet (the preferred type of packaging for long-term aging), but performed extremely well.
The Bolie was the only classic smoke in this group (ironically, no cigar in the test was younger), but the other five cigars were also lovely, scoring from 92 to 94 points. Among the aged smokes was a limited-edition Partagas 150 from Cuba, produced in quantities of only 500 cigars.
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Bolivar Belicoso Fino (1995)
95 I received a box (25 in paper, not cabinet) of these as a birthday present a few years back from an actor buddy. I forgot about it in my cellar until late 2004. But boy is it good. Powerful and rich with a wonderful tobacco, spice and strong tea character, it's of superb quality.
--James Suckling
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El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme (1994)
94 A wonderful earthy smoke. It has some very light smooth elements and a long smooth finish. Great-looking. Great performance. And a delightful, mouth-filling texture. One of the great Cuban robustos.
--Marvin R. Shanken
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Partagas 150 Corona Grandes (1995)
94 This was one of three cigars in the legendary Partagas 150 limited-edition humidor. All the smokes in this speciality line -- there are only 500 -- are glorious. The long corona measuring 6 1/8 inches long is soft and fresh with a cedar and light coffee character and a medium body on the palate. There's a hint of earth. The finish is long and refreshing.
--James Suckling
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Partagas Lusitania (1990)
93 I have always found this double corona refined and very long in flavor no matter the age and this isn't any different, even at 14 years old. It has plenty of cedar and cappuccino character, and is medium-bodied and fresh. Amazingly delicate yet flavorful.
--James Suckling
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Punch Punch (1991)
93 This has been sitting in a locker in Havana for more than 10 years, and it's still a lovely smoke. It has an amazing ash that's as white as snow. It's very rich with bright mineral and citrus-like flavors. I can feel the nicotine that gives you an espresso kick. It was once a very strong cigar, but it is now more refined and delicious.
--James Suckling
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Montecristo Tubos (1993)
92 I find that cigars in tubes age incredibly well, and this is a powerful and strong smoke even after 10 years of age. This shows a full body, with loads of coffee and decadent character.
--James Suckling
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