Bolívar Bolivar B2 Canada Regional Edition 2010

Size: 52 x 156 (6.1")
Shape: Pyramid
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Box Date: June 2010
Beverage: Appelton Estate Reserva Rum & Cola

As I write this, I'm surprised to note that we have not yet reviewed anything from the Bolívar line. In retrospect, I think that we've intended to review a few of them in the past but ended up choosing newer cigars instead. It seems that this hasn't changed, as today's review is of the new Bolivar B2 Canada Regional Edition 2010, another in the seemingly endless onslaught of 'special' editions that are released to 'select markets' every year. In reality, many of the regional editions from one market are widely available in others, as we regularly see REs from Asia Pacific and Switzerland for sale here in Canada.

The cigars smoked for this review had dark wrappers (characteristic of another Bolívar, the Belicoso Finos) that were expertly applied. The construction was excellent with no soft spots. Clipping revealed a perfect draw from both of our cigars, with pre-draw notes of wood and leather. The first few puffs were full of leather and earth with a clean finish. As I smoked through the first third, a light sweetness joined in from time to time, along with some nuts and more earth. There was a fair amount of nicotine at this point, and the body was decidedly medium. The second third gained in strength and body, and background notes of coffee could be detected. The last third became a bit metallic tasting, but still finished cleanly (I would expect this to change for the better with some time in the humidor).

This was a surprising and pleasant departure from most of the regional editions that are being released today, which seem more often than not to be bland and one-dimensional. The B2 tasted characteristically Bolívar with more sweetness and earth than, say, the Belicosos Finos, but the Bolivar B2 was not a drastic departure from other, less expensive cigars (such as the Bolívar Coronas Gigantes) that we enjoy at least as much. But for being the good cigar that it is, I give it three Fidels out of five.

- Carlton