Bolivar Tubos No. 1 ULA JUN 15 (BWRC)

[THEMISCHMAN]

Bolivar Tubos No. 1

ULA JUN 15

Temp: 57°F

Outside humidity: 27%

Total smoke time: ~1:30

 

Figured I’d give the Bolivar review a go. Today is a nice Texas day, even though 57 sounds a little chilly depending on where one is from, the sun is out and the skies are blue. Perfect day to sit on the front porch and smoke and read. Hopefully the lower humidity doesn’t affect the cigar because I didn’t get a chance to dry box it. I picked this box up from our host quite a while ago and was surprised to get a box from 2015. If I remember correctly the 24:24 showed younger boxes available. I’m really glad that I picked these up because I love the size.

The cigar itself has a nice looking wrapper with some minor veins and a slight freckling. It feels firm with no soft spots and all of the other cigars I’ve smoked out of this box have been very enjoyable. I use a punch on the cap. I have been enjoying the punch as opposed to the v-cut I normally do.

The cold draw is almost perfect for my liking, not too tight and not too loose. Just enough resistance that tells me this should burn pretty well. I get the normal tobacco flavor and a slight bready flavor. Now time to light it up.

It lights up easily and after I give it a slight purge and let it rest a little the burn is straight and producing a very dark ash.

1/3: So far it’s a good medium body with an earthy mushroom note that becomes mineral-like on the retro. The smoke is overall pretty smooth with no real harshness. The burn is still very good and there is a bread note similar to pumpernickel.

2/3: As I get into the second third the burn gets a little wavy but nothing to fret about. Black coffee shows up and the pumpernickel pushes its way forward. The ash just decided it didn’t want hang out any more.

There’s a slight acidity on on the retro that I attribute to the coffee note. I’m really enjoying the cigar and zero reading is getting done. Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” will have to wait until later.

Final third: As I get into the last part of the cigar, cocoa powder joins the coffee, mineral earthiness, and pumpernickel. The body has stayed in the medium to medium-full range and the smoke has a silky mouth feel. The retro is great and still has that coffee-like acidity to it which is more pleasant than it may sound. The burn, draw and construction have been perfect the whole way. I have two boxes with the ULA 15 box code (these and Libertador) and all have been excellent for me.

Overall this a great cigar and I don’t put number values to my reviews. It’s a cigar that I’m glad to have and have enjoyed everyone so far. It’s a shame they’re discontinued and if you haven’t had one I’d suggest trying to find a couple especially if you’re a fan of the Bolivar marca.

 

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

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[havanaclub]

Nice review James. That is the darkest ash I have ever seen.


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[Akela3rd]

Smoking one now as I read your review. Excellent cigar and you're bang on the money with the retrohale descriptions. Mine is from June 17 and has a much paler ash though. Interesting...

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[THEMISCHMAN]

Nice review James. That is the darkest ash I have ever seen.


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Sitting in the shade made it look slightly darker in the picture but definitely one of the darkest I’ve seen as well.

[Islandboy]

Nice review, thanks. I’ve got a box of MSU Jun 17 that are smoking too good to sit on. Thinking about pulling one out after reading this.

[FatPete]

Lovely review of my favourite Bolivar. Why oh why did HSA have to axe it ?

[THEMISCHMAN]

Nice review, thanks. I’ve got a box of MSU Jun 17 that are smoking too good to sit on. Thinking about pulling one out after reading this.

Do it!

[RDB]

That ash is a crazy colour. What on earth could cause that? Sounds like a very nice smoke though, and I’m sad to have missed these.