It’s been a while but my New Years resolution is to smoke more cigars and write more cigar reviews so this weekend I decided to reach into the humidor and pick out a Bolivar Royal Corona to smoke.
Named after the great 19th century historic figure Simon Bolivar, who liberated much of South America from Spanish rule, the Bolivar brand was created in 1902 and is based at the Partagas Factory, right in the heart of Havana.
Bolivar cigars are considered amongst the strongest, most full bodied of all Habanos, it boasts an unrivalled richness of flavour in its blend of Vuelta Abajo filler and binder tobacco. Not advised for a novice smoker.
The Royal Corona is a robusto sized cigar at just under 5 inches and a 50 ring gauge. With a dark oily wrapper this cigar was well constructed, evenly wrapped and almost too beautiful to smoke (but I will).
Fun Fact: The Cigar changed its name to Royal Corona in 1973, having previously been called ‘Charles’.
Armed with my mate Charlie and a Xikar Cutter I received for Christmas, we set up shop outside under the patio heater and got down to business.
First Third
Upon lighting and into the first third I was getting strong notes of coffee with a hint of cedar that I normally expect from Bolivars that I have smoked in the past.
What I loved was that although the cigar was strong and bold in flavour, it still offered a creamy smooth smoke. The draw was perfect, not too overpowering but felt like it was teasing me with what was yet to come.
Second Third
Now things were really warming up. Just like a strong coffee in the morning, those notes started to pick up offering a real kick, but still offering that smooth taste (Kenco eat your heart out).
Those creamy notes were really coming through along with a hint of vanilla, which would linger in the finish along with a slight peppery note on the mouth.
The cigar had really opened up by the end of the second third offering a really smooth smoke with bags full of flavour.
What does astonish is me is that I am not a massive coffee drinker but I couldn’t get enough of the creamy coffee notes from this cigar.
Final Third
Into the home stretch now and a tear streams down my eye with the realization that I’m coming to the end of the cigar. (Not literally FYI).
The final third is my favourite part of a cigar. My palate has become accustomed to the cigars flavours and now we are into the full flavour of what the Bolivar has to offer.
Flavour wise it was much of what I had in the 2nd third, but the cigar seemed to have rounded off into a smooth, creamy cigar with coffee notes. The peppery finish had picked up a bit more but was just enough to let me know it was there.
Conclusion
I love Bolivar cigars and have done for a couple of years now, with this cigar confirming why I love them so much.
A medium to full cigar but offering a smooth creamy experience, I recommend this cigar as a post dinner treat, perhaps paired with a glass of Malbec or coffee to complement those cigar flavours.
For around £13 these are sticks worth investing in, and over time they will only get better. I have about 6 in the humidor so perhaps in a couple of years I may revisit to see how they have come along.
Let us know if you’ve smoked one and what you thought?
Here’s the technical detail for you:
Cigar Brand: Bolivar
Vitola: Royal Corona
Length: 4 Inches 7/8″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country: Cuba
Box Date: N/A (Bought as a single)
Price: Around £12.99 from C.Gars