Bolivar Royal Corona

[Adric]

Was reading the latest copy of Aficionado which gave this the #1 spot for all of 2006 so I thought I should give it a try, as I'd never had one and never had a Bolivar of any kind for that matter.

Contruction was very nice, great cap, smelled good, couldn't feel any tight spots or lumps.

Gave it a cut and took a cold draw, nice flavour, tobacco, some dark chocolate but couldn't be sure.

torched the end and took some initial puffs, I've discovered on my journey with habanos that I can tell the cigars I'm going to like, one of the signs (for me anyway) is those first few draws and whether I think "This is nice" or "Hmmm, maybe it'll smooth out or get better." Which isn't to say I haven't had a couple that started great and became average or started not so pleasant and became amazing.

This time, it was the best of both.

Right away I liked the taste, I'm not sure what the strength of these is meant to be but it was very smooth, I even got a bunch up my nose which usually burns/tingles like if you get bubbles from soft drink or champagne in your sinuses, I didn't get that this time, so saw it as something good to come, the smoke by the way smelled fantastic, that perfect smell you get when you walk into a cigar store or humidor.

I was getting leather taste for the first 3rd or so, the burn at the very beginning was a little off, quick down a couple of the veins in the wrapper, but after half an inch or so it evened up and was perfect the rest of the smoke.

Now I usually have a cigar with a cup of black coffee, I really love the flavour combinations of the two, and it speaks to the quality and great taste of this cigar that I maybe had two sips from my cup the entire time I smoked this cigar, I was just enjoying it that much I didn't even think about drinking the coffee!

Towards the middle point, I started to taste coffee bean flavours, more than I have with previous cigars, I'm still a little new to cigars and so my palate is still young, it could be that it's maturing, but I was having a wonderful time with this smoke.

This rich flavour continued, mixing with the leather and I might have been getting some dark chocolate in there too, but it could have been wishful thinking since I love dark chocolate :-P

I took this cigar all the way down to less than an inch, the burning ember was starting to get too hot in my mouth, and I've rarely taken a cigar so low. I lamented the fact that I'd bought but one single from my tobacconist, as I'm sure I'd have smoked a second one right away!

It could have been the hype from the magazine, perhaps colouring my impressions, but I found this to be one of the best of the small range of brands and sizes I've had, it could VERY easily become a regular in my humidor.

Rating:

85-90/100

5/6 smoke rings

I've heard these have a great potential to age, and man, I kind of salivate a little thinking of what they'll be like in a few years.

~Adric

[Adric]

Man, just noticed there was a review of this cigar 3 weeks ago, way for me to keep up, shows how ahead of the game I am! :-|

[JohnnyTex]

Great review. More then one review only helps those of us (me), decide what I'd like to get my hands on. I was thinking of throwing several BRC's in a sampler with the czar, and think I just may now. Thanks brother.

[Colt45]

Thanks for the review. This is the one Bolivar to date, for me, that has been

hit or miss - and so far, mostly miss.

[habanohal]

I find them the #1 Robusto for me. Let them sit for 6 months or so and a big differance than smokeing right away

[JMH]

» I find them the #1 Robusto for me.

As for me. Great cigars.

[BigSlick]

Yum! Early 06? I'll take every one ef em'.

[wp2]

Nice review! Lots of guys are giving these '06s rave reviews, like you did.