Bolivar Royal Coronas Tubo ETP OCT 15 (BWRC)

kevpro · May 19, 2019

First one I have tried and the box has only had about 10 days rest. I smoked this and took notes on Friday but am just getting around to posting now.

Pairing:

Lot 40 Canadian Rye & Violet Hour Old Fashion Mix

Construction:

Light Colorado wrapper with no large veins but dark spots throughout the first half. Soft spot at the band, this was the only cigar in the box I noticed a soft spot and decided I might as well light this one up on short rest.

Aroma:

The cigar itself had a mild barnyard aroma. However, the tube was much stronger with hay and cocoa.

Cold Draw:

Surprisingly sweet with strong cocoa similar to the tube aroma.

1st Third:

Lots of thick smoke and a loose draw, probably from the under filled area at the band. I am immediately hit with cocoa and a leather finish. After the first inch the cocoa turns to coffee / espresso. As it nears the end of the first third some slight hay notes pop up. Medium bodied throughout with a nice dark grey ash.

2nd Third:

A wonky burn after the first ash required a touch up. This third begins with a sudden earthiness and grows to medium-full. The aroma of the smoke makes me wish I was out on the course instead of my fire escape. I also poured a second glass at this point as it was my work from home version of Friday happy hour. The rye spice paired well but the only spice I got from the cigar was when retrohaled. The retrohale brought black pepper and leather. The end of the third brought sweet toffee notes which were welcomed. The strength also seemed to build throughout the second third starting at medium and ending at medium-full.

Final Third:

Again a touch up was required which I'll chalk up to short rest and 55 degree weather. The beginning started with the same as the end of the second. This was my favorite part by far. Loads of coffee and leather with earthy and sweet notes mixed in. As the burn hits the soft spot the draw becomes extremely loose which was disappointing as the coffee flavors had begun to turn to Monte chocolate. I smoked this as far as I could (about half way through the band) then had to let it die as the smoke was beginning to become hot and harsh.

Overall 88/100. The under filled spot was disappointing but I am happy with the box as the other 9 did not seem to have similar issues. This cigar hit 95+ at times but the one dimensional beginning and construction issues held it back. This was my first Bolivar and I really enjoyed the flavor profile. I'm excited to try another in a few weeks,

Bonus pic of what I'm sure my dog was doing the entire time (taken earlier in the day):