Bolivar Corona Extra (2003 cab)

[Ophidion]

Prelight:

Smooth wrapper with a slight sheen to it. Cigar is well packed and heavy in the hand with no obvious flaws or soft spots. Easy cold draw, if somewhat loose, flavors of coffee are very obvious.

1/3:

Very smooth smoke with no obvious spice notes. Main flavor profile consists of coffee and leather with a semi-sweet tobacco in the background. The draw and ash are incredible with a razor sharp burn. The smoke is a solid medium which I attribute to the age of the cigar. Generally I prefer Bolivars very young for their serious punch, but I have come around to the aged bolivar flavors.

2/3:

Flavor picks up a bit but remains closer to a medium than a full. Rich coffee and tobacco flavors in the forefront with no real background flavors preset. The once obvious leather has dissipated. The smoke remains very smooth and ample which is a nice compliment to the burn and draw characteristics.

3/3:

Flavor is now hovering around a full as the coffee flavors become a little more bitter but still maintaining a very smooth and creamy texture. The burn and draw are both impressive all the way to the nub.

Overall:

I am a huge fan of the skinnier bolivars after being a strictly BRC/BBF fan for a long time. It only took a few BPC/BCE to totally turn me around and show me the light that is the skinny bolivar flavor. Since then I have sampled some inmensas, BCE, lonsdales and they have all been spectacular. If you can grab a few, I highly recommend them.

[bassman]

I recently finished a BCE cab from SEP 02 & really enjoyed how strong & earthy they remained thoughout the years. Hoping the second cab does not disappoint. I also normally like fresh Bolivars. These must have been killer when fresh.

[Deemancpa]

Great review! It was spot on. My absolute favorite stick! My '05 cab has mellowed out a bit.

[mk05]

Unbanded BCE 50cabs. Gotta find those!

[maverickdrinker]

There were a couple of cabs in Havana that I had to pass on. Was already full on my cigar allotment.

[mk05]

There were a couple of cabs in Havana that I had to pass on. Was already full on my cigar allotment.

You crazy. Passed on cabs of '03s? Good God man, what did you pick up?!

[LGC]

Nice review. I have a 2002 cabinet that needs to be checked on. Thanks for the reminder!

[sactochris]

I had several from May of 2007 that were outstanding. My X-mas purchase for myself was a dress box from Sep 0f 2005, they are superb.