Cabaiguan Belicoso Fino Review

[JGIORD]

Cabaiguan Belicoso Fino
5.25x52
Wrapper - Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Cost - $8.00

This is a true Belicoso Fino (5.25 x 52) coming to a subtle tappered slightly blunt tip. Not the pointed arrowhead of a torpedo. This cigar is more dignified and graceful. The wrapper is lighter than I would have expected. A yellowish tan very light. Its smooth and without oils. There is minimal veining. The band is a light tan, pale in color with a caligraphy C bordered by Cuba on one side and the word Miami on the other. The color of the band complements the wrapper nicely.

The roll is solid and uniform and the cigar provides a subtle barnyard scent. The initial puffs are smooth with subtle spice and wood. There is a twanginess to this cigar that if blindfolded I would have guessed it to be Cuban. This isn’t a citrus note, its down right twang!! The initial flavors of this cigar remind me of a Bolivar Royal Corona.

There is a nice smoke volume and while I wouldn’t call the smoke thick, its full and coating. There is spice, wood and twang!

After the first inch, the twanginess subsided (too bad) and the cigar developed a slight cedar taste to mix with the wood and spice. The burn is slightly uneven, but not detrimental yet.

Toward the end of the first third, I occasionally detected an almost fruity taste on the finish. The aroma is not strong, but sweet and also slightly fruity. Every now and then that wonderful twangy flavor would emerge.

Entering the second third, I’m detecting a slight loamy taste. This cigar is truly fantastic! The twanginess emerges every now and then.

The finish is clean and short with a subtle spice and sweetness. This is a smooth cigar, not harsh but full flavored and medium strength.

The burn has straightened out and the cigar produces a solid med gray ash. I don’t know if this cigar has a tremendous amount of age on it, but I’m in love!

The last third picked up a bit more spice and cedar notes. This is truly a fantastic smoke.

I would be happy smoking only this cigar from now on, as long as I could afford them.

[jloutlaw]

Good review. I've not had the belicosa, but I like the robustos. Interesting comparison to the BRC.

[LORD PUFFER]

I do agree that this line may be young. the flavors were complex at the beginning, but I had trouble with keeping lit towards the latter half. Great smoke, but I think these could use some time.

I did however light up at the B&M, so maybe some sitting at 65RH would do this cigar some good. I am interested and will buy more.

[jloutlaw]

I smoked a Cabaiguan Belicosa Fino tonight. Great cigar and JGIORD's review is on the money.

[GAW]

Very nicely reviewed! Have worked my way thru about half a box of the Belicoso Fino's and your comments are pretty close to my perceptions of this cigar. It is supposed to be one of the Don's favorite smokes-hey who really knows huh?- and it is named after the town in Cuba where Pepin grew up.I find it a nice morning or afternoon smoke ,medium in strength but with some complex and changing flavors.Another rumor from a B&M I deal with that is one of Pete Johnsons' better accounts, is that Pepin is working on a sungrown wrapper version of the Cabaiguan. That if true would be a must try IMO!Again lucid and perceptive review - enjoyed reading it. Jerry

[Lanthor]

I have eyed these my last two trips to the B&M, I won't let a third go by, thanks for the 'nudge'.

[Ocat]

Hello Motto,

Nice review. I have robustos, now I will have to hunt down some Belis.

[physiognomy]

Thanks for the review... I've only tried the Corona Extra, but I'll have to pick one of the BFs up when I get a chance.

[nozero]

Thanks for the well written review! I'm new here, but was glad to see somebody reference the "barnyard scent" for my first time. I'll have to add this one to my list of "want to try".

[sonick]

Great review
I've smoked and enjoyed all sizes but the belicoso until recently, when tzaddi gifted me one. It was exactly as you described....... good stuff!

[Seanohue]

Originally Posted by LORD PUFFER

I do agree that this line may be young. the flavors were complex at the beginning, but I had trouble with keeping lit towards the latter half. Great smoke, but I think these could use some time.

I did however light up at the B&M, so maybe some sitting at 65RH would do this cigar some good. I am interested and will buy more.

I felt these were way too vegetal and "green".

[RevSmoke]

Here's another review.

0.0 - 2.0 = poor/inferior quality
2.1 - 2.9 = fair
3.0 - 3.5 = good
3.5 - 4.5 = excellent
4.6 - 5.0 = superior
1) Aesthetics: This is a good looking stick, just slight oiliness to this butter-tan wrapper with only a slight hint of veins. Love the belicoso head, not like a torpedo.
Score for aesthetics: 4.5
2) Pre-light Construction: This is a brick - solid and firm. Draws easy after a snip.
Score for Pre-light construction: 4.8
3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked: While it drew easily pre-light, it tightened up for a bit and then cleared. It stays firm and burns evenly the entire length. A light, grey ash holds for a good solid inch plus.
Score for post-light construction: 4.0
4) Flavor and strength: This is a Pepin and by rights should be full-bodied... While it exhibits full-ness, it isn’t as full as I expected. This is however a wonderfully rich and complex smoke with hints of nuts, spice, and some citrus undertones that faded tantalizingly in and out.
Score for flavor and strength: 4.6
5) Aftertaste/Finish: I was surprised at the finish exhibited by this stick, it wasn’t as long as I expected, showing some spice (no surprise) and some cedar notes.
Score for aftertaste: 4.0
6) Aroma: I love sideslip smoke, always do - this was no exception. Medium bodyed and that regard, giving spice, nutmeg, and cedar... very enjoyable.
Score for aroma: 4.5
7) General Comments: I’d like to comment on this cigar having smoked more than one, but I cannot speak to consistency. I’d like to think they are, as other Pepins have exhibited consistency. I was drinking a margarita, and this was a great smoke to accompany it. I’m a tightwad, so consider my recommendation accordingly, but if I could get these reasonably, I would. They aren’t a $10 stick in my book, but they are definitely one to look
Overall score for the cigar: 4.5

[awsmith4]

Nice review, I've only had the Guapo so its sounds like its time to try the rest of the line

[jamesb3]

The whole Cabaiguan line is awesome. We, the regs that is, smoked my local B&M out of them as fast as he gets them. The BF is a great smoke. Thanks for the review.

[gnukfu]

Very nice review Todd! I have never had the Belicoso but I had the Coronas Extra and think they are a great smoke. Had one yesterday as a matter of fact