Bolivar Royal Corona TEB Jul 07 V Ramon Allones Specially Selected TEB July 07

[El Presidente]

Great post Wilkey.

My eyes glaze over when I hear experts. I am certainly not one. The strength of the forum (and others) is the cumulation of experience and incremental knowledge. I have seen and heard of barbarities pepetuated by regional Habanos factories. I certainly don't take this as a norm. I know that Miguel (ex factory manager Upmann) would not entertain what I have seen elsewhere.

I have sat and listened to famous rollers (former) tell me of the glory days when a Factory owner would impart his style. I have heard them say that everything today is crap. I respect these people for what they have done, seen, achieved and I would never question them face to face Age and experience deserves respect but it still does not mean that in my own mind I don't question.

I have heard many say that only one crop is grown in tobacco plantations. Yet I have been in many significant plantations March/April and have seen with my own eyes seedlings planted in the field. I was pleased to know that the tobacco was destined for Cuban cigarettes....but I never knew.

I have heard from people I trust of their dismay at Cuban regional factories running out of "Cohiba Filler" and using other filler to make up a quota. I nod my head and understand why they would do so.

I sit at marketing meetings and hear the diatribe from people who have never sold a cigar one on one. I listen to their opinions as to where the industry is going and I near enough cry.

Then again I sit with Hamlet and Ranier and talk through what they have blended for me and why. We talk about the objective of the filler the binder the wrapper. We argue, we drink rum. To me this is the world of cigars.

An expert.....NO! A lover and student of the leaf...undoubtedly. God bless the study.

[Bartolomeo]

Bolivar Royal Corona TEB MAY 08

Light Tan/Brown wrapper that was dry, very good construction

Pre draw was tannic and cedary

Grey, flaky ash

Med in flavor, kind of tame overall in flavor profile, almost one dimensional

Burn was Ok but had an burn spot about an 1” down the cigar after initial lighting, never seen before and don’t know what it really indicates

Initial puff was sweet and contained some heat

More strength in 2/3

8.9/10

Bart