AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about forty minutes into the Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2, when the cigar's true intent becomes undeniable. It arrives not as a suggestion but as a firm hand on the shoulder. The tapered head, that perfect cone of Colorado leaf, has been burning with a deceptive elegance—delivering cocoa and earth with the manners of a diplomat. But as the burn line passes the halfway point and the ring gauge swells to its full 52, the blend shifts from conversation to declaration. The espresso deepens into something almost syrupy, the dried fig sweetness turns dark and jammy, and the pepper, once a sharp greeting, settles into a warm, persistent hum at the back of the throat. This is the moment the cigar stops being a product of Havana and becomes a statement about what Cuban tobacco, at full maturity, can actually do.
This is not a cigar that reveals itself quickly. The pre-light aroma from the foot—a mix of damp earth, raisin, and a faint, almost medicinal cedar—promises depth, but the first draws from the pointed tip are a concentrated assault. Dark earth, raw cocoa powder, and a black pepper that stings the retrohale with precision. It is a tight, focused opening, a single beam of flavor rather than a broad wash. The draw, even through the narrow head, is remarkably open, pulling dense, creamy smoke that coats the palate with a faint mineral bitterness—that signature of high-primed Vuelta Abajo leaf that Bolivar loyalists chase. The cedar appears not as a sweet wood but as a dry, spicy plank, a structural element that holds the early profile together.
As the burn widens into the body of the belicoso, the blend exhales. The aggressive edges soften, and the profile rounds into a rich, almost luxurious mid-section. Espresso and dark chocolate take the lead, but they are underscored by a surprising fruitiness—raisin and fig, dried and concentrated, not fresh. The pepper recedes from a sting to a warmth, a gentle glow that lingers after each puff. The creaminess that was hinted at in the first third now becomes a textural anchor, a velvety medium that carries the flavors across the palate. This is where the construction of the La Corona factory becomes a point of pride; the burn is razor-sharp, the ash a firm, salt-and-pepper grey that holds for over an inch, and the smoke production is voluminous, filling the air with a rich, almost savory aroma.
The final third is where Bolivar reminds you of its reputation. The strength, which had been building steadily, now climbs with purpose. Roasted nuts and dark coffee grounds take over, but they are sweetened by a deep molasses note that was absent earlier. The leather and barnyard earthiness from the opening returns, but with a new authority, a groundedness that speaks to the blend's age. The finish is long and complex, a lingering interplay of dark spice and bittersweet cocoa that coats the throat. This is a cigar that demands a full hour and a half of your time, and it rewards that commitment with a finale that is both powerful and refined. The Tubos presentation, while convenient for travel, feels almost secondary—this is a cigar meant to be the centerpiece of an evening, not an accompaniment to it.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — multi-region Havana leaf, aged per Habanos S.A. standards |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — La Corona factory (Habanos S.A.) |
| Vitola / Shape | Belicoso |
| Size | 5.5 x 52 |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $30–$45 per cigar (regional and duty-free pricing varies significantly) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum aging per Habanos S.A. protocol; benefits significantly from additional 2–5 years of personal cellaring |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head delivers an immediate rush of dark earth, raw cocoa, and black pepper on the retrohale. A woody, cedar-like spice integrates quickly with underlying leather and a faint mineral bitterness characteristic of high-primed Cuban leaf. The draw opens up with a dense, creamy smoke that coats the palate.
Second Third
As the ring gauge opens toward the body, the profile rounds out considerably — espresso and dark chocolate dominate, underscored by dried fruit notes of raisin and fig. The pepper settles into a warm, lingering spice rather than an aggressive bite. Creaminess builds and the construction becomes a showcase of Cuban liga harmony.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with roasted nuts, dark coffee grounds, and a deep molasses sweetness. Leather and barnyard earthiness return with authority. The strength climbs meaningfully — this is where Bolivar reminds you it is not a cigar to be taken lightly. A long, complex finish of dark spice and bittersweet cocoa defines the close.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is typically excellent from La Corona — the tapered head requires a precise guillotine or V-cut and rewards a measured light. Burn lines are generally razor-sharp, ash is firm and salt-and-pepper grey, and the draw is open without being loose, producing dense, voluminous smoke throughout.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum such as Havana Club 15 Año or a 15–20 year Barbancourt Reserve; alternatively, a well-aged Scotch single malt from Islay (Lagavulin 16) to match the peat against the earth
Wine
Priorat or a bold Ribera del Duero Reserva — wines with dark fruit, mineral backbone, and enough tannin to stand against the cigar's full body
Non-Alcoholic
A double ristretto or strong cold-brew coffee, ideally Ethiopian natural-process for its dark fruit notes that echo the cigar's raisin and fig midpalate
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has spent the last five years working through the milder side of the Habanos catalog—the Epicure No. 2s, the Petit Coronas—and has begun to feel a restlessness, a craving for something that pushes back. They are not new to strength, but they are new to this kind of strength, the kind that builds slowly and then settles into a steady, confident hum. They are sitting on a quiet patio after a long week, a glass of Lagavulin 16 within reach, and they want a cigar that will not just accompany the evening but define it. They have the 90 minutes to spare, and they understand that this is not a background smoke. It will ask for their attention, and in return, it will give them a masterclass in how Cuban leaf, when blended with intention and aged with patience, can deliver a spectrum of flavor that ranges from delicate dried fruit to a deep, resonant earth. They will finish it feeling not overwhelmed, but satisfied—like they have just had a conversation with an old friend who still has a few surprises left.
Bottom Line
The Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 is a benchmark for a reason—it is a powerful, complex, and impeccably constructed cigar that defines the belicoso format. It demands respect, time, and a palate that can handle its full-bodied intensity, but rewards with a sensory journey that is quintessentially Cuban. This is not a cigar for the faint of heart; it is a cigar for the connoisseur who understands that true depth often comes with a bit of a bite.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Bolivar Belicosos Finos cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Full (4/5) on our strength scale. This is not a subtle nicotine buzz; the strength builds progressively through the smoke and becomes quite pronounced in the final third, manifesting as a warming sensation in the chest and a noticeable mental clarity. It is a physically engaging smoke that requires a seasoned palate and an empty stomach is not recommended.
What does Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression. It opens with dark earth, raw cocoa, and a sharp black pepper on the retrohale, with a dry cedar spice. The middle third rounds out with espresso, dark chocolate, and dried raisin and fig notes. The finale intensifies to roasted nuts, dark coffee grounds, and a deep molasses sweetness, finishing with leather and bittersweet cocoa.
How long does Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 take to smoke?
Given its belicoso vitola and 5.5 x 52 dimensions, you should set aside a solid 90 to 105 minutes. The tapered head starts narrow, but the burn widens significantly in the body, which slows the pace. This is not a cigar to rush; plan for a deliberate, unhurried session of roughly an hour and a half to two hours.
What is the best pairing for Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2?
Aged Cuban rum like Havana Club 15 Año is a classic match, as its sweet, oaky notes complement the cigar's dark cocoa and dried fruit. For a different angle, a peaty Islay Scotch like Lagavulin 16 creates a fascinating contrast, with the smoke of the whisky playing against the earth of the cigar. A double ristretto is an excellent non-alcoholic choice, echoing the espresso notes in the second half.
Is Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 good for beginners?
No. This is a full-strength cigar with a price point of $30–$45 per stick, and it will overwhelm a novice palate. Its intensity and complexity require a foundation of experience to appreciate. A beginner should start with milder Cuban options like a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 or a Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill to build their palate before approaching this Bolivar.
Where can I buy Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2?
As a Habanos S.A. product, it is available at authorized LCDH (La Casa del Habano) franchises worldwide, as well as from reputable online retailers that specialize in Cuban cigars. Due to US trade restrictions, it is not officially sold there, so enthusiasts often purchase it while traveling in Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean, or through trusted grey-market sources.
What is the price of Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2?
The price varies significantly by region and tax structure, but you can expect to pay between $30 and $45 per cigar. Duty-free shops often offer the most competitive prices, while retailers in countries with high tobacco taxes, like the UK or Australia, will be at the higher end of that range or even exceed it.
Is Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. While it is enjoyable fresh out of the box, the cigar benefits significantly from 2–5 years of additional personal cellaring. Aging will mellow the sharp black pepper, allow the dried fruit and cocoa notes to integrate more seamlessly, and deepen the leather and earth characteristics. The high-primed Vuelta Abajo wrapper has the structure to evolve gracefully over time.
What wrapper does Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper in a Colorado shade, which is a medium-dark chestnut brown. This wrapper is grown in the prime tobacco region of Cuba and is known for its oily texture and visible tooth. It contributes a significant portion of the cigar's signature earth, spice, and mineral character, and its high priming level is responsible for the blend's full-bodied strength.
Where is Bolivar Belicosos Finos Tubos No. 2 made?
It is hand-rolled at the La Corona factory in Havana, Cuba, under the supervision of Habanos S.A. This is a historic factory known for producing some of the most prestigious and complex blends in the Cuban portfolio. The cigar is presented in individual aluminum tubes, a format that protects the delicate belicoso tip during transport.