Bolivar Corona Gigantes PUR JUL 16 BRWC

[Corylax18]

I picked up this box mid 2017 and let them sit for about a year before I broke into it. I smoked a half dozen or so last spring and summer, they were good, but there was definitely room for improvement. I haven't touched the box for 8 or 9 months and this was the perfect excuse to fire another one up. 

 

The Construction was perfect, although the cap was about 6 or 7 leaves deep. It looked like a typical 3 seam cap from the outside, but it took me a few minutes to cut and dig through all the tobacco with a punch. When I finally got through all of it, the draw was perfect. Not a lot of flavor on the cold draw, some leather, earth and a bit of cedar. 

1st Third - BROWN SUGAR!! Clear as day, not molasses, sweeter, like dark brown sugar. Loads of it, the smoke is thick, creamy and rich. Coating the pallet with flavor. Some leather and the standard tobacco spine. Smooth and creamy, with a hit of pepper on the retro. 

 

2nd Third - More of the same. Excellent burn, smoke production and flavors. The leather picks up a bit, some earth pops into the equation. Like sticking your head in a freshly dug hole. The sweetness dials back a little, but the same dark brown sugar flavor still dominates. 

 

Final 3rd - The brown sugar, leather, then earth continue to be the main flavors. Some fleeting hints of nutmeg, a bit more spice on the retro, but the smoke stays smooth until the very end. Delicious and well balanced for just over two hours. Perfect balance, I just didn't want to put it down. 

96/100 Great Cigar. A perfect example of very high quality tobacco, matched with Perfect construction. It really sucks that these have been discontinued. In another couple years, maybe less, these should be a perfect example of what a great Cuban cigar should be. 

[99call]

WANT!    Having a bit of a Bolivar period at the moment, and I just can't get enough. I rarely smoke DC but I've been looking for a box of these for the last three weeks. Tracked one down at a non insane price, but got gobbled up that day. I will not rest

[Corylax18]

12 minutes ago, 99call said:

WANT!    Having a bit of a Bolivar period at the moment, and I just can't get enough. I rarely smoke DC but I've been looking for a box of these for the last three weeks. Tracked one down at a non insane price, but got gobbled up that day. I will not rest

I really don't smoke a lot of Bolivar, but I have a couple 10 count of the Royal Corona's in Tubos with a very similar profile. I've had great luck with those two, not the same with BBF's. It's a shame that this tobacco is now getting cut 50/50 with Volado and being sold for 2, 3 or 4 times as much. If you find any boxes BUY THEM. I saw two in Havana last month and I was stupid not to grab both. 

[TBird55]

Thanks for the review. Have 1 box left, going to wait a couple more years before breaking into it. Really hate that they are discontinued, used to smoke 3 or 4 boxes a year. 

[TBird55]

When they announced they were being discontinued, I thought that they would be available for a while....I  figured wrong...

[Raskol]

Nice pictures & great review. Thank you.