nteresting combo this week. A popular and well known cigar with something a little more leftfield – a cracking sake.

The Belicosos. A pyramid, 52x140mm. A cigar which, according to Trev’s magnificent site, has been with us since pre-1960.

This example smoked very well. rich, chocolatey, dark fruits. It took a little time to get into stride but went well when it did. It was more Christmas cake than the typical earthiness one thinks of when one smokes Bolivar. This smoke had what seems to be referred to as ‘the elusive perfect draw” but what is that? Over to Ray, I think? Slightly tight is pretty close for me. And this was.

Overall, a long slow smoke. Always like that. Quite powerful as would…

Ken Gargett

By Ken Gargett - 2019

Bolivar Belicosos Fino/James Squire ‘150 Lashes’ Pale Ale; Flor de Cana ‘Spresso’ Coffee Liqueur, plus thoughts on the Flor de Cana “V Generaciones’ – A 30-Year-Old Single Barrel Rum and how a postage stamp changed history.

The last of the current batch of seconds from Rob for Kenfessions. It would be fair to say that I did not necessarily leave the best to last, the Bolivar Belicosos Fino. As the picture hopefully shows, this was seconds for a reason. Well, I think it aspired to 2nd status and fell well short. ‘Ratty’ was my description of its looks.

5 1/2" by 52 ring gauge. A pleasant pale creamy brown wrapper. Notes of roast earth, toast, burnt meat – if I may jump in early, the Spresso worked really well with it. No great length here. It did need a lot of relighting. A fair cigar but hardly a great one. I have never had much luck with these and…

Welcome to Kenfessions, my occasional and irregular blog, looking at the world of cigars and drinks, and hopefully matching the two. The good, the bad and the downright ugly. No doubt, it will veer off on all manner of tangents, but we will try and stick to the subject (when it suits).

Oct 23 Bolivar Belicosos Finos – Shichida Junmai Daiginjo Sake

Nov 29 Bolivar Belicosos Fino - James Squire ‘150 Lashes’ Pale Ale; Flor de Cana ‘Spresso’ Coffee Liqueur

Welcome to Kenfessions, my occasional and irregular blog, looking at the world of cigars and drinks, and hopefully matching the two.

The good, the bad and the downright ugly. No doubt, it will veer off on all manner of tangents, but we will try and stick to the subject (when it suits).