Bolivar Royal Corona - PEL LLOO

[jgros001]

(Nov '99).

The cigar is a really dark brown, almost maduro. Has a nice smooth box press and triple cap.

Pre-light - smell is great a chocolatey, cuban smell. Nice firm roll - a little give when pressed. Easy draw that I actually wish was a bit firmer. Ash is that nice salt and pepper, shading more to the peppery side.

I was expecting strong chocolate flavors after the pre-light smell - but it was not to be. The most pervasive taste I noted was a nutty favor with some earthiness and leather flavors. I did note a not so great metallic/ tinny flavor in the first half but the cigar went into a more creamy direction for the second half.

If you are looking for a number, probably 89 out of 100.

[El Presidente]

» (Nov '99).

»

» The cigar is a really dark brown, almost maduro. Has a nice smooth box

» press and triple cap.

»

» Pre-light - smell is great a chocolatey, cuban smell. Nice firm roll - a

» little give when pressed. Easy draw that I actually wish was a bit

» firmer. Ash is that nice salt and pepper, shading more to the peppery

» side.

»

» I was expecting strong chocolate flavors after the pre-light smell - but

» it was not to be. The most pervasive taste I noted was a nutty favor with

» some earthiness and leather flavors. I did note a not so great metallic/

» tinny flavor in the first half but the cigar went into a more creamy

» direction for the second half.

»

» If you are looking for a number, probably 89 out of 100.

That Easy draw robbed you of the cigars potential. Underfilled cigars simply kill flavour. I always prefer a slightly firm draw.

[Tave1225]

Nice review. I had a RC recently, and it was strong as heck. Alot of tobacco taste and wood. I smoked it prior to eating, and ended up with a slight headache.:-)

[cigardawg]

» (Nov '99).

I did note a not so great metallic/

» tinny flavor in the first half

Not to change the subject, but I have noticed this in a number of cigars from 99 and 00. I usually identify this with cigars from the timeframe with darker wrappers. The wrappers also tend to be thicker and courser. If my memory serves me correctly, this was the time they started a change to the H2000 wrapper on some cigars. Could this be the culprit of the metallic taste?

Just curious.

[bassman]

» » (Nov '99).

» I did note a not so great metallic/

» » tinny flavor in the first half

»

» Not to change the subject, but I have noticed this in a number of cigars

» from 99 and 00. I usually identify this with cigars from the timeframe

» with darker wrappers. The wrappers also tend to be thicker and courser.

» If my memory serves me correctly, this was the time they started a change

» to the H2000 wrapper on some cigars. Could this be the culprit of the

» metallic taste?

»

» Just curious.

The Royal Coronas from 99 & 00 that I've smoked were lacking in flavor. A box from FEB 05 is strong, earthy & delicious. I'd highly recommend the newer ones.

[Colt45]

Smoked one this evening - I believe '05.

Beautiful construction, though I detected a knot under the band up to the head.

Great medium brown wrapper, smooth with a nice sheen.

The draw, as expected, was tight, but not unsmokable. I gave it a bit of a coaxing

with a skewer, which helped some.

This one was all leather, with cedar overtones. Smooth integrated spice, that

never overpowered. Though the draw definately afflicted the flavor a bit, it

was still very enjoyable. B-O-L-I-V-A-R!

I could never question those who chose Bolivar in the "If you could only smoke

one brand" thread.

[Tampa1257]

I am somewhat surprised by the chocolate type flavors you found in the Bolivar. I have smoked a great many Bolivar and that is one flavor that I honestly don't believe I have ever associated with the marca.

I also agree with El Prez, I tend to prefer a slightly firm draw over a loose or tight draw. I enjoy just a bit of resistance, which I find makes the cigar smoke a little slower and defines the flavors to a much higher degree.