1998 Bolivar Coronas Extra H&F (FFC}

[teamrandr]

 Beautiful box pressed cigar that sports a rather chocolatey wrapper. There is still a nice oil sheen to it. No doubt a sign of good storage during the aging process. I'm hit with a nice cocoa aroma at cold. No stale tobacco here. A nice light barnyard aroma is there. Toasting this stick is a pleasure. Opening draw has a nice robust flavor. I am not pinpointing it yet. It is for sure a rich Havana tobacco. Roasted coffee and cocoa. There is an underlying vanilla to it as well. The body is past medium. Retrohale is surprisingly smooth. Each draw reveals some complexity. I taste a rich roasted nut flavor. All of this mingling in there with the coffee/vanilla bean. All of it tastes deep and roasted. The pallet feels clean so far. The age of the tobacco doesn't seem like it is 22 years. I was fortunate to have a BOTL share some incredible sticks with me. I am aiming to put them all to flame this summer. Look out for more vintage reviews. Moving through the first 3rd the draws are nice but just a tad tight. Nice smoke output overall. The burn is not razor sharp but very good. Just a slight touch up so far.

  2/3 this cigar has mellowed over the years no doubt. The smoke is smooth but flavorful. My golden retriever Rye is distracting me as usual. She could play fetch around the clock. The nuttiness builds as we progress. I have zero complaints so far. We are moving towards the halfway point. I do detect a bit of leather in there. I don't really like leather. The nuttiness has been building the whole way. It is at this point less complex than the beginning. I find this unusual. Halfway now and overall and enjoyable smoke no doubt. I think so far this one is on track for a smashing score. A point or two so far could be deducted for the touch up with the lighter and the leather I don't like. Some probably would enjoy it very much. The leather now is gone. I chuckle a bit. This smoke is like a box of chocolates. Each draw I pull out a flavor. The richness is increasing. I am having trouble smoking it as slow as I should. Cocoa is nice and has a flavor reminiscent of old school hot chocolate. Of course roasted nuts. A slight caramel sweetness underlies it all. The draws are spot on now. Not freight train status but billowing smoke that is enjoyable.

  Final 3rd. Well damn, the smoke is full blown rich. We are talking mouth coating at this current time. The flavors have evolved. Gone is vanilla. The rich cocoa has turned more towards the deep roasted nut/coffee. This smoke is rich. Probably best later in the day after dinner with some cognac. I chose to have it prior to ordering our favorite Italian joint. I am not disappointed. If anything I am looking forward to some wine with the lady. Finally Rye jumps on my lap and settles in. She doesnt realize she's not a lap dog.

 Score:    96

  I had to deduct a few points. The nub was a bit hot. This could be partly my inpatient want to keep tasting this one.