Bolivar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016

What Most People Get Wrong About the Bolivar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016

Here’s the thing that drives me absolutely nuts about how people talk about this cigar – everyone focuses on the “reserva” part like it’s some magical fairy dust that automatically makes it better. Look, I’ve been smoking Cubans since Clinton was in office, and I can tell you right now that the Bolivar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016 isn’t great because it says “reserva” on the band. It’s great because Habanos S.A. actually did something right for once with their aging process.

I first got my hands on a box of these beauties back in 2019 (yeah, I waited three years – sue me, I’m cautious with expensive cigars). A buddy of mine who was at the Festival del Habano 2016 kept raving about them, saying they were the highlight of the whole event. Honestly? I thought he was just caught up in the hype. The festival atmosphere can make any cigar seem better than it is when you’re surrounded by other aficionados and probably had a few too many Cohiba Esplendidos the night before.

Boy, was I wrong.

First Light: When Expectations Meet Reality

The first time I lit one of these up was on my back porch on a brutally hot August evening in 2019. Not ideal conditions, but sometimes you just can’t wait. The pre-light draw was perfect – not too loose like some modern Bolivars I’ve had, not plugged like the disaster that was most of the 2014 production year.

That first puff? Holy hell. It was like someone took everything I loved about the regular Belicosos Finos and cranked up the volume without making it harsh. You know how some aged cigars lose their punch? Not this one. The extra aging (these were rolled in 2016 but released later) seemed to marry all the flavors without neutering the classic Bolivar strength.

The burn was razor sharp from the get-go. Now, I’ve smoked enough Cuban torpedos to know they can be temperamental – the pointed cap sometimes causes uneven burns, especially in humid weather. But these 2016 Reservas? Flawless. Every. Single. Time. And trust me, I’ve gone through two full boxes over the years.

The Flavor Journey (Or: Why I Don’t Believe in “Thirds”)

Okay, rant time. I’m so tired of reviews that break cigars down into neat little thirds like they’re dissecting a frog in biology class. Cigars don’t work that way – at least not good ones. The Bolivar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016 is a perfect example of why that approach is nonsense.

From the first inch, you’re getting this beautiful interplay between leather and cedar. But it’s not static. Ten minutes in, there’s this hint of dark chocolate that comes and goes like it’s playing hide and seek with your palate. Then – and this is where it gets interesting – around the halfway point, you start getting these waves of white pepper that don’t overpower but add this incredible complexity.

The thing about aged Bolivars is they develop this almost creamy texture in the smoke. Hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. It’s like the difference between a young, aggressive red wine and one that’s had time to develop. The edges are smoothed but the character is still there, maybe even more pronounced.

What really impressed me was how the strength built gradually. I’m not a lightweight – I can handle a Partagas Lusitania at 9 AM if needed (though my wife thinks I’m crazy). But this cigar has this sneaky way of delivering power without beating you over the head with it. By the final inch, you definitely know you’ve smoked something substantial, but you’re not reaching for the sugar water like you might with an over-the-top Cohiba Behike.

Pairing Adventures (Some Successful, Some… Not So Much)

I’ve paired these with everything from morning coffee (don’t judge) to aged rum, and here’s what actually works:

The winner: Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. I know, I know – everyone always recommends Cuban rum with Cuban cigars. But this Venezuelan rum has this perfect balance of sweetness and spice that doesn’t compete with the cigar. Had one of my best smoking sessions ever with this combination while watching a thunderstorm roll in.

Whiskey pairings are trickier. I tried it with my usual go-to, Macallan 18, and it was… fine. Not great, just fine. The sherry notes in the Macallan seemed to clash with something in the tobacco. But a peated Islay? Now we’re talking. Ardbeg 10 worked surprisingly well – the smoke-on-smoke thing shouldn’t work but somehow does.

Coffee pairing? This might be controversial, but I think aged Cuban cigars and coffee are overrated together. The complexity gets muddled. Save your expensive reservas for after dinner, trust me.

One pairing that absolutely didn’t work: craft beer. I don’t care what the cigar magazines say about IPA and cigars – it’s terrible with this stick. The hops just kill everything subtle about the tobacco.

Storage Wisdom (Learned the Hard Way)

Here’s something most people don’t talk about: aged Cuban cigars can be temperamental about humidity changes. I learned this lesson with my first box when I let my humidor get up to 72% RH during a particularly humid summer. The cigars didn’t get moldy or anything dramatic, but they lost some of that crisp burn quality that makes these special.

Keep them at 65% RH, 68°F if you can manage it. I know that’s lower than what some old-school guys recommend, but trust me on this one. These reservas were aged at controlled conditions, and shocking them with high humidity isn’t doing anyone any favors.

Also – and this is important – don’t store them with your regular production cigars if you can avoid it. The aged tobacco seems to pick up flavors from other cigars more readily than younger tobacco. Learned that lesson when I stored some next to a box of Punch Punch and could taste the difference after a few months.

Who Should Buy These (And Who Shouldn’t)

Let’s be honest about something: these aren’t cheap. If you’re just getting into Cuban cigars, spend your money elsewhere first. Get comfortable with regular production Bolivars, maybe some aged Montecristo No. 2s. Build your palate up to appreciate what makes these special.

These are perfect for someone who already loves the Bolivar brand but wants to experience what proper aging can do. If you’ve smoked regular Belicosos Finos and thought “this is good but maybe a bit rough around the edges,” then these reservas are exactly what you’re looking for.

Skip these if you prefer mild cigars. Even with the aging, these are still Bolivars – they have strength and character. If you’re a Davidoff person, these probably aren’t for you.

Also skip them if you’re the type who needs to smoke a cigar right after buying it. These benefit from at least six months of rest in your humidor. I know it’s hard to wait, but patience pays off here.

The Controversial Take

Here’s my hot take that might ruffle some feathers: I think these are better than most of the limited editions Habanos has put out in the last five years. There, I said it.

Everyone gets excited about LEs because they’re rare and expensive. But most of them are just regular cigars with fancy bands and inflated prices. The Bolivar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016 is what limited editions should be – actually improved tobacco, not just marketing.

I’d take one of these over a Cohiba Siglo VI LE any day of the week. Better construction, more interesting flavor development, and honestly, better value even at the premium price.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Are these still available? Getting harder to find, but some retailers still have boxes. Expect to pay premium prices – probably 40-50% more than regular Belicosos Finos.

How do they compare to other 2016 reservas? I’ve smoked the Partagas Serie P No. 2 Reserva from the same year, and while it’s good, this Bolivar has more character. The Partagas is smoother but maybe too smooth.

Should I age them more? If you can resist smoking them, sure. But they’re already in their sweet spot. I wouldn’t wait more than another 2-3 years unless you’re planning to cellar them long-term.

Are the rumors about quality control issues true? I haven’t experienced any. Out of about 50 cigars I’ve smoked from this line, maybe one had minor burn issues. That’s actually better than average for Cuban cigars.

Final Thoughts

Look, I don’t give out perfect scores because perfect cigars don’t exist. But the Bolivar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016 is about as close as I’ve found to what every Cuban cigar should aspire to be. It takes everything great about the regular production version and elevates it without losing the soul of what makes a Bolivar a Bolivar.

Is it worth the premium? If you’re already spending serious money on cigars, absolutely. If you’re trying to justify it as an everyday smoke, probably not. These are special occasion cigars, and they deliver on that promise.

The fact that these were showcased at the Festival del Habano 2016 makes sense in hindsight. Sometimes the festival gets it right, and this was one of those times. Now if I could just find another box at a reasonable price…