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Battle Royale Round Trois: Bolivar Beli Fino vs. Vegas Robaina Unicos

KPP

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I know there's a good amount of love for the BBF, although interestingly I don't recall seeing anyone list them in there top 5 CC's. I've smoked a handful of Bolis, and that's about it....most recently a CE. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I thought it was just good, not great. It was an 09, so not to it's full maturity I'll admit...but with a profile (for me) of only chocolate, cocoa, earth and leather...mixed with minimal spice, it wasn't all that exciting. No transitions in flavor and very straightforward. Like I said, good, not great....at least for me. Is the BBF similar to the CE and RC in profile??

And the VR Unicos is one that seems to be talked about quite a bit less than say the much more popular Monte 2's and PSP2's. Any lovers of this stick out there. I've had one VR a year and a half ago..a famosos as I recall...that was just ok. No idea how much game it had on it, as I rec'd in trade.

For the record...I wanted to inlude the Upmann #2 in this conversation as well...so welcome any/all thoughts on that stick, that also appears to fly a little more under the radar than the Monte and SP2.
 
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Bolivar is my favorite brand, but the BBF- along with the Royal Corona, are my least favorite. Unicos can be great- or not. Lots of variability, like the MC#2.
 
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Thanks for the vitola lesson Ryan...lol...I got that part bro.

And obviously thanks for the opinion as well.
Wasn't trying to be a douche :tonguerol just wanted to add some clarification


:smokingme


EDIT: And I think your assessment of the BBF is pretty spot on. I have a box of 09s that are smoking beautifully, but they might not be as complex and have as many changes as other habanos. I had one on wednesday and it really impressed me as far as flavour, quality, and smoke volume were concerned. They are a little more tamed than the BRC IMHO.
 
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So, who's the ultimate victor of this Figurados Battle Royale? I must say, both the BBF & VRU are two of my favorite figurados. However, with that being said, I personally would give the edge to the VRU in this case. Arguably, one of the best in the VR line, it's a great smoke both in youth & age. Offering wonderful construction, a near perfect draw & rich yet smooth flavors of creamy, herbal spice with bitter sweetness on an earthy core of medium-sweet espresso. If you have yet to try one or a dozen for that matter, I recommend that you do so!
 

KPP

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Wasn't trying to be a douche :tonguerol just wanted to add some clarification


:smokingme


EDIT: And I think your assessment of the BBF is pretty spot on. I have a box of 09s that are smoking beautifully, but they might not be as complex and have as many changes as other habanos. I had one on wednesday and it really impressed me as far as flavour, quality, and smoke volume were concerned. They are a little more tamed than the BRC IMHO.
LOL...no worries Ryan, and I will admit the vitolas of habanos are something i've not yet mastered, so perhaps the clarification was indeed warranted ;).

Just saw your edit on the BBF profile...and I wonder if the Boli is just not a marca for me. I made the comment to someone that after smoking the CE, it reminded me of an Anejo almost, minus the sweetness (*gasp* I know...cc to nc comparison). I've always thought Anejos were good cigars, but never truly wow'd me. I wonder if the same is true for the Boli line for me :dunno:. Kinda what I'm trying to figure out I guess.

Profile I seem to prefer lately (and not always of course, but generally speaking) is vanilla, graham cracker/honey, nutty, and mixed in w/ a good balance of spice/pepper. Throw in a few of those in a cigar and i'm a happy camper. Which is almost exactly what I got from a PSD4 I smoked on Sunday...makes me think I need to stock up on even more of them PSD4s!!...:yes:
 

KPP

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I have never liked the BBF...
What about the VR Ben.....yay/nay??

And it's a rarity you hear someone say they don't love Bolivar....at least as I've seen over the past couple of years anyway (and perhaps moreso in the smaller vitolas than anything else...PC/CE/RC etc.)...so i'm curious how many out there feel this way. You just not a fan of the BBF, or Bolis in general?
 

njstone

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Maybe Bolis aren't for you, Kyle, after all you don't like Illusione so you're palate is obviously messed up, lol!

Seriously, I love Bolivar though. The CE, RC, PC, they're just awesome. Keep trying them, and try some with some age if you can. The BF is one of my least favorite vitolas, though I still like them.
 

KPP

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Maybe Bolis aren't for you, Kyle, after all you don't like Illusione so you're palate is obviously messed up, lol!

Seriously, I love Bolivar though. The CE, RC, PC, they're just awesome. Keep trying them, and try some with some age if you can. The BF is one of my least favorite vitolas, though I still like them.
LOL...touche Nate!

I can attest that I don't think i've smoked a Boli that's older than 2008.....so I'm not giving up, and will openly admit my sample size has been small. And it's not that I thought they were terrible by any means. To me, they're "good". I don't want to buy a box of cigars that I think are good. I want to buy smokes I think are "great"!
 

Hot_Sauce

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Out of those 3 cigars I would pick the Upmann No.2 for current production. In fact the Upmann is my favorite pyramid right now.:blushlove

I havent been blown away by any BBF's except for the 02 & early 03's. I did smoke a 2009 a few months ago. And I would say I enjoyed it more than the 06-08's I've smoked.


While I enjoy the VR line. I prefer them in smaller ring gauges. (Classicos and familiars) I've only smoked a few of the Unicos. They were good. But didn't make me want to go out and purchas a box right after that, like the Classicos did.
 

njstone

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LOL...touche Nate!

I can attest that I don't think i've smoked a Boli that's older than 2008.....so I'm not giving up, and will openly admit my sample size has been small. And it's not that I thought they were terrible by any means. To me, they're "good". I don't want to buy a box of cigars that I think are good. I want to buy smokes I think are "great"!
With you 100% on that.
 
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Tough call for me... two VERY different smokes...... I really love them both, though I'd certainly say the BBF needs a little more age to come into its own... I'm not sure I could choose one over the other.... for me, it's like asking whether a Hummer H1 is better than a Mazerati. Better for speed? Better for off-roading?

My advice would be to set those 09 BBFs aside to age some more... you can smoke some 06-08 Unicos now.... or some 02-06 BBFs now...

Have fun tasting!
......what he said:thumbsup:
 
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