This was my “new” cigar for last week, I enjoyed it in a bar’s smoking area with a nice pint of cider and good company, I was happy as the proverbial pig in muck. When purchasing this little cuban my tobacconist said “so you like your cigars strong then?” I was aware that Bolivar produce fuller flavoured cigars, some would consider them to be too strong but I rather enjoyed this one.
Build Quality was quite a grey area on this cigar, the texture was good, cap was well formed and the tobacco was well aged, but the wrapper was somewhat dry, and cracked a little when I handled the cigar, which I found disappointing of course but it didn’t detract much from the smoke. Incidentally the wrapper was a Claro. Perhaps a little darker.
As far as price is concerned I can say in good conscience that this cigar is well priced. There isn’t much more to say here but retailers suggest it as “an after dinner smoke” or a “companion cigar for the experienced aficionado.” Definitely a cigar worth getting a hold of if you want to try a stronger more full bodied smoke.
This cigar lit easily, had a perfect draw (unlike a certain Romeo I had earlier this week, which was like sucking my thumb.. I suppose that’s what I get for drunkenly buying Tubos from an off-licence!) This cigar burned very evenly with a nice thick flavoursome smoke which lingered on the palate, a real slow smoker which one should savour and evaluate. The ash was a touch on the rough side but stayed in place well.
I found that due to the full flavour of this cigar I smoked it more slowly than I would normally do, giving a smoking time of about 45 to 50 minutes, in which time a man came out, light an un-banded cigar, took 3 puffs and went back in leaving virtually the entire cigar in the ash tray. For shame. The flavour of this cigar is rather enjoyable, and very rich, I got strong senses of “leather”, cocao and hints of coffee. Which is quite a contrast to the herbacious Romeos, which are my regular smoke. Quite an enjoyable contrast!
Overall this was a most enjoyable smoke, and while perhaps too heady to become a regular for me certainly worth acquiring. This cigar would be great after food or in the evening with a stiff drink. Try one!
