Bolivar Royal Corona - Unknown (47+RW)

[Zaxeiler]

Starting to work through a Cuban sampler to get to know the marcas I like/don't. Tonight, I smoked the Bolivar Royal Corona, a robusto, 4 7/8 x 50. Unknown box code since from a sampler, from around 2017 though.

 

This cigar starts by exploding with heavy earth upon light up, a mouth full of cedar.

 

As it settles into the first third, the cedar is still the dominant flavor, but it mellows out into a smoother smoke. Still full bodied, but smooth and balanced with tea spices, especially on the retro (with a little white pepper). Halfway through the first third, a little coffee comes in, which really helps balance the cedar.

The middle third continues the trend, continuing to mellow a bit, cedar moving further to the background and coffee (maybe with a little vanilla cream sweetness on the finish) coming up to the foreground.

 

As it headed into the back third, it keeps mellowing into a milky coffee and cream. Oddly enough, even the retro (where you usually find peppers, cedar, or spice) is straight cream.

Towards the end, it’s super milky, almost heavy cream or lightly sweetened ice cream (with those vanilla notes), light coffee. Nearing the nub, almost getting those cookies and cream notes you hear about for the Hoyas, little cedar notes come back to balance it out.

 

Interesting smoke, progressing smoother and creamier as it went on. I'm not a fan of heavy cedar notes, so the first third wasn't for me. But glad I didn't dismiss it too quickly, because the coffee > cream > ice cream progression was a great surprise, and really enjoyable. Great draw and smoke output. Wavy burn line. 

 

4/5, extra points for the unexpected transitions. Reduced (personally) for the heavy cedar.

[mprach024]

Love Boli - BRC, BBF, BPC, and whenever I can find the corona Gigantes.  Boli is one of my go to Marcas.  Hard to say it’s my favorite, but if it’s not it’s close. 

[Zaxeiler]

7 hours ago, mprach024 said:

Love Boli - BRC, BBF, BPC, and whenever I can find the corona Gigantes.  Boli is one of my go to Marcas. 

Since I’m still exploring and learning, curious if you find the other vitolas to be similar in profile, or if not what makes them different?

[CampDelta369]

Love Bolivar. Everything I have tried so far. The BRC from 2019 have been fantastic. Thanks for the review. I really enjoy reading other impressions of flavor profiles on different years and boxes. In my extremely limited experience with Bolivar it has just been a Ballz out great Marca so far. So +1 on @mprach024for listing the BBF and BPC as well.