The Bolívar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016 has begun arriving in select markets, including Hong Kong according to the Pacific Cigar Ltd., the distributor of Habanos S.A. products in the region.

Like the regular production Belicosos Finos, the cigar measures 5 1/2 (140mm) inches long with a 52 ring gauge and a belicoso head. However, as a cigar bearing the Reserva band, it uses some highly curated tobacco, specifically leaves that come from the 2016 harvest of tobacco grown in the Vuelta Abajo region of the Pinar del Río region.

The Reserva series debuted in 2003, and all releases use tobacco that has been aged for at least three years. There is also a Gran Reserva Series, which debuted in 2009 and uses tobacco from a single crop year that has been aged for at least five years.

The Bolívar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016 is offered in 20-count, lacquered boxes, while the cigars add the black and silver Reserva band. In Hong Kong, the cigars are priced at HK$12,760 (US$1,646) per box, which works out to $82.30 per cigar.

While the Bolívar Belicosos Finos is a popular cigar and likely the most well-known vitola in the marca, its selection for a Reserva release is notable as it makes the first time that one of the company’s non-global brands has been selected for a Reserva or Gran Reserva. Previously, all Reserva and Gran Reserva releases had come from one of Habanos S.A.’s global brands, namely Cohiba, H. Upmann, Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, Partagás and Romeo y Julieta. Bolívar is classified as part of Habanos S.A.’s Portfolio category, specifically the Alto Valor group along with Punch, Ramón Allones and Trinidad.

Update (July 7, 2021) — The Bolívar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016 has arrived in Switzerland, according to Intertabak AG, the distributor for that region. It will be available at La Casa del Habano locations as of July 14 and Habanos Specialist Points as of July 21, with a retail price of CHF 1,300 ($1404.39).

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.