Bolivar Royal Coronas


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I'm am a big fan of Bolivar, and have enjoyed several vitolas.  The Belicioso Fino, Coronas Junior, Tubos No. 2, and Super Coronas LE are generally excellent at showcasing a very unique Bolivar flavor profile of earth, leather, and stewed fruits.  

Tonight, I again dipped into a box of Royal Coronas from 2015.  I have tried a few before, but found them a bit too young and or moist.  Tonight's example seemed well acclimatized, but lacked the usual Bolivar flavor profile I was expecting.  For lack of better description, I found it quite generic.

Is my experience an aberration, or is the Royal Corona a completely different flavor package from the others in the line?

 

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All I can say that I hear you, I feel you. Im not sure if its me in the same spot where you are or the RC itself but that is the only Bolivar I don't like too much. Smoke BPC, BCJ, CG, BF regularly but the RC's I had was not a friend at all...

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Personally I'm drifting away from Bolivar. Through the 90s and early 2000s I was fond of Bolivar Inmensas, CG, BBFs and PCs. But in recent years it seems to my taste buds the flavor has been deteriorating. I don't know why, maybe it's just me, but it seems the blends have gotten milder and milder tasting, with the flavor getting less and less notable.

Yesterday I tried my first Tubos No. 1, which had a disappointing tight draw but it tasted pretty good. I wish I had more of these, but ironically the Tubos No. 1 have been discontinued, so I guess I can't stock up on these. 

 

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9 hours ago, mwaller said:

Is my experience an aberration, or is the Royal Corona a completely different flavor package from the others in the line?

 

You hit the nail on the head.  I share your view that it is the least Bolivar of the bunch, followed by the belicosos.  They are loved by many.  A lot of the folks who don't really like other Bolivar offerings tend to like or love the RC & Belicosos.  I enjoy a nice Coronas Gigantes (very mild for the first half) from time to time, but the little guys are like firecrackers and keep me coming back for more.  Serious flavor from end to end along with a pretty good hit of nicotine.  They hold up well to bolder flavored food and drink.

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19 minutes ago, topdiesel said:

You hit the nail on the head.  I share your view that it is the least Bolivar of the bunch, followed by the belicosos. 

I disagree. The Bolivar's palette of flavors can't be reduced to what the smaller vitolas have to offer, just because they're stronger…

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5 hours ago, PatrickEwing said:

RC is not my favorite Bolivar. Agree with you there. However, I have yet to get stewed fruits from any of them! Which do you speak of? For my money PC and CG are gold. But no fruit. Curious to hear your thoughts. 

Stewed fruit is perhaps an exaggeration.  But I find that many Bolivar have a subtle sweetness paired with a vaguely fruity taste.  It's not a bright fruit flavor, but deeper and more earthy... Some have described it as raisins.  CJ and Tubos 2 are great examples. Also the Super Coronas LE.

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6 hours ago, Philc2001 said:

Personally I'm drifting away from Bolivar. Through the 90s and early 2000s I was fond of Bolivar Inmensas, CG, BBFs and PCs. But in recent years it seems to my taste buds the flavor has been deteriorating. I don't know why, maybe it's just me, but it seems the blends have gotten milder and milder tasting, with the flavor getting less and less notable.

Yesterday I tried my first Tubos No. 1, which had a disappointing tight draw but it tasted pretty good. I wish I had more of these, but ironically the Tubos No. 1 have been discontinued, so I guess I can't stock up on these. 

I share most of these thoughts. Having been a huge Boli fan in the 90s, I really began to just drift away from them over the last decade. The BCJ was really the only model that seemed to deliver for me, but they are wildly inconsistent, even within a box. And I've found that Minutos are just too short for me to get into and pay a premium for. The BRC is just too subtle in the Boli profile for me these days, and I haven't really been too thrilled with the few BBFs I've sampled over the last few years. 

The Boli Tubos, however, really got me back into Boli. I've been very impressed with them. Tight draws really haven't been an issue for me with them. Loving the No.1s, and when they're gone I'll probably be going with the No. 2s, although I'm having the same issue with Marevas that I'm having with Minutos these days--just a bit on the short side for me.

But back to the BRC, yes, it could be classified as the most "refined" Boli, but that's really not something I'm looking for in a Boli. I actuallly find the recent BCG to be truly outstanding, even though it is also quite "refined" to my taste. They're not necessarily stronger, but they are "richer" to me, whereas the BRC just seems to lack any intensity.

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^^^ Nothing more can really be said than what is posted above. Completely hit the nail on the head as we share the exact same thoughts.

Ironically, I just got done having this exact conversation about 10 minutes ago. Oh the days of the old Bolivar flavor! It's what made me a lover of the marca. It's hard to find that raw characteristics in cuban cigars today that was on display from them years ago.

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3 hours ago, Smallclub said:

I disagree. The Bolivar's palette of flavors can't be reduced to what the smaller vitolas have to offer, just because they're stronger…

Fair enough.  but if you read it again, I am just saying I share his view.  So to me, they do and therefore I can.

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Not sure I agree.  I think you are apt to get a flat one occasionally but my Bolis have always been pretty solid.  I can't say I've had a flat one.  You mentioned them not quite ready before...a little more time is needed I think.

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I have a 2015 box of BRC. They are well acclimatised. I'm also finding a large variation of flavour profile from stick to stick. One night I had one and it was very disappointing with no discernible complexity in flavour just toasted tobacco. The next night I tried another and it was truly one of the most delicious cigars I've ever smoked. It reminded me of Christmas Pudding of all things. I love robustos and despite a lot of variation smoke to smoke, it's probably my favourite.


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13 minutes ago, Williamos said:

I have a 2015 box of BRC. They are well acclimatised. I'm also finding a large variation of flavour profile from stick to stick. One night I had one and it was very disappointing with no discernible complexity in flavour just toasted tobacco. The next night I tried another and it was truly one of the most delicious cigars I've ever smoked. It reminded me of Christmas Pudding of all things. I love robustos and despite a lot of variation smoke to smoke, it's probably my favourite.


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Glad I'm not the only one this happens to with this cigar.  However, when they are on, they sure are on. 

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BRC has been in my top five freshies of the year for a few years, until 2015 and 16. Flavor is not there, compared to what i had 2012 13 14. I have only sampled from 4 or 6 boxes the last 2 years, but maybe 10 each year before that, and easily 8 or 9 boxes out of 10 were consistently full flavored and smokable rott. I haven't found a 15 or 16 that compares and I'm cherry picking 14s now... I find it funny that people suggest the bbf is full flavored. It's fallen out of favor for me since maybe 2008 for always being bland rott. Maybe they tweaked the blend and i should revisit

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