Review: Bolivar Petit Corona

[CoCigarSmoker]

Bolivar Petit Corona

Construction

By the looks of this cigar there isn’t any sheen on the wrapper. The wrapper looks to be just in the middle of Claro and Colorado Claro in color. The body of the cigar is just slightly soft to the touch and the cigar definitely feels under filled. The triple cap is on securely and the foot of the cigar while intact does look to be under filled. I think the biggest take away from this particular cigar was that when just slightly pressing from the foot towards the cap it was IMMEDIATELY noticeable that this cigar was under filled.

Pre-light

I should have started with a punch but I chose to just use a straight cut instead. The cigar’s draw confirms the under filled fears I had prior to the first cold draw. During cold draw I can detect notes of spice, earth, a subdued currant/fruitiness, and toasted tobacco.

First Third

This cigar opens like what I would imagine from a spicy NC. You still know it’s a Habano, but there is definitely louds of spice, leather, and earth. The draw continues to be much looser than I enjoy, but as a silver lining this cigar is producing louds of thick smoke. I can tell that this particular cigar is young and I would believe that it would benefit from some age, but I don’t mind the cigar in its current form. This cigar continues to have lots of spice and that pepper content that one remembers from smoking NC’s. Once I set the cigar down I can start to get just a little bit of that barnyard taste on my tongue, but not in the same amount that we all have come to love and expect from most of the Cubans we smoke. I smoked this cigar about ½” into the first third before I had to concede and drink some coffee. I literally just rolled out of bed this morning and went straight to the humidor. So, with that being said, the remainder of this review will include the Bolivar Petit Corona and a small cup of cheap Starbucks coffee with a little cream. As we near the end of the first third I had a wonderful draw full of barnyard goodness and hay. This flavor profile was still accompanied by a good amount of spiciness and pepper though. Thus far the burn has been very even and no corrections were necessary.

Second Third

Breaking into the second third of this stick shows a noticeable reduction in the strength, spice, and pepper. Still this should not be confused with discernable notes of cream. However, the cigar is quite enjoyable in its own right. Barnyard, hay, and earth are more forward on the tongue as we continue through the second third and as of now, this third is definitely better than the first. That being said, I will say this cigar is most likely right in between medium and full in body. I haven’t reached any sort of a nicotine buzz yet, even with smoking this right out of bed and on an empty stomach. The cigar needed one more correction about ¾ of the way through the second third. The flavor profile of this cigar isn’t anything crazy to write about, but it is an enjoyable cigar nonetheless. I wouldn’t mind having some of these on hand, but I would probably not buy blind and would prefer buying them at the recommendation of the Prez only after getting his seal of approval. I’m certain with age this cigar would have more to offer, but thus far I’m left with a “flat” sort of feeling on this stick.

Final Third

This cigar has smoothed out and I would say although very spicy and peppery it is only medium in body. The cigar continues to be enjoyable, but I would not say it is one of the better ones that I have smoked. Notes of pepper, barnyard/hay, spice, leather, and earth continue to roll around the palate as this cigar comes closer to an end. This cigar has smoked relatively quick compared to other PC’s that I have smoked. I will say I really enjoy the volume and thickness of the smoke that this little stick produces. As I stick to my wine comparisons with regard to viscosity, the amount, thickness, and overall description of the smoke would most closely compare to the viscosity of a good Cabernet Sauvignon or big bold tannic red wine.

Ending Notes

I did this review at the request of some fellow BOTL’s as a standalone review but also to use as a comparison to my previous Partagas Short review. I find this cigar to be far less desirable with my palate than my feelings about my Partagas Short that I reviewed a month or so back. As a matter of fact, I just sent an email in hopes of scoring one of the 50 cabs of partagas shorts from the recent 48:48. I don’t know if I feel the same after smoking this cigar right now. I’d rather spend my money on others. That being said I would give this cigar an overall score of 80-82. The fact that it was under filled, went out a couple times in the last third, along with the overall flat flavor profile is what just did me in. I still smoked this cigar to the nub but really missed out on the complex flavors and cream that I so enjoyed from the partagas short review. Not to mention I just really don’t enjoy a loose draw and under filled cigar. I would overall be willing to buy this cigar again, but only if I saw it for a good deal on a 24:24 and ONLY with the Prez’s recommendation. Most likely, I will try and revisit this cigar with a five pack before considering a box purchase.

Total time spent smoking, 1 hr. 14 min.

Cheers,

Seth

[Optic101]

Nice review and picture Seth,

Just finished a BPC which was also underfilled.

Had a dark oily wrapper and it was progressing to become stronger towards the end.

Even so the construction was not as it should be the cigar was nice and enjoyable.

Not a morning smoke on empty stomach for me.

[CoCigarSmoker]

I actually found this smoke to be quite easy on an empty stomach. I was hoping for more strength and body...I at least expected a little nicotine buzz. I've heard bolivar is normally a very full bodied Marca.

Enjoyable cigar but definitely not the quality Id prefer.

Seth

[JohnS]

Thanks again for the review Seth. I can see the wrapper looks slightly dull. Was the cigar a touch dry and/or did it burn hot at all through the thirds or remain cool like a good Cuban should?

I agree, Bolivar Petit Coronas are supposed to be more full-bodied. At least it seemed you got some good ash out of this one, judging by the images. It's a pity it didn't have more flavour!

[CoCigarSmoker]

RH In my humi is between 61-64%. Normally I try to keep steady but in the winter months the ambient RH in my home dips to 15-19% which drags my humi down a smidge. Eventually I'll put the money in for an avollo accumoniter active system but that will wait until I get a much bigger cabinet. Right now I just use 2lbs of 65% heartfelt beads.

As far as burn temperature I feel that the cigar burned cool and steady just didn't have a ton of flavor.

Seth

[PuroDan]

Bolivar Petit Corona

Construction

By the looks of this cigar there isn’t any sheen on the wrapper. The wrapper looks to be just in the middle of Claro and Colorado Claro in color. The body of the cigar is just slightly soft to the touch and the cigar definitely feels under filled. The triple cap is on securely and the foot of the cigar while intact does look to be under filled. I think the biggest take away from this particular cigar was that when just slightly pressing from the foot towards the cap it was IMMEDIATELY noticeable that this cigar was under filled.

Pre-light

I should have started with a punch but I chose to just use a straight cut instead. The cigar’s draw confirms the under filled fears I had prior to the first cold draw. During cold draw I can detect notes of spice, earth, a subdued currant/fruitiness, and toasted tobacco.

First Third

This cigar opens like what I would imagine from a spicy NC. You still know it’s a Habano, but there is definitely louds of spice, leather, and earth. The draw continues to be much looser than I enjoy, but as a silver lining this cigar is producing louds of thick smoke. I can tell that this particular cigar is young and I would believe that it would benefit from some age, but I don’t mind the cigar in its current form. This cigar continues to have lots of spice and that pepper content that one remembers from smoking NC’s. Once I set the cigar down I can start to get just a little bit of that barnyard taste on my tongue, but not in the same amount that we all have come to love and expect from most of the Cubans we smoke. I smoked this cigar about ½” into the first third before I had to concede and drink some coffee. I literally just rolled out of bed this morning and went straight to the humidor. So, with that being said, the remainder of this review will include the Bolivar Petit Corona and a small cup of cheap Starbucks coffee with a little cream. As we near the end of the first third I had a wonderful draw full of barnyard goodness and hay. This flavor profile was still accompanied by a good amount of spiciness and pepper though. Thus far the burn has been very even and no corrections were necessary.

Second Third

Breaking into the second third of this stick shows a noticeable reduction in the strength, spice, and pepper. Still this should not be confused with discernable notes of cream. However, the cigar is quite enjoyable in its own right. Barnyard, hay, and earth are more forward on the tongue as we continue through the second third and as of now, this third is definitely better than the first. That being said, I will say this cigar is most likely right in between medium and full in body. I haven’t reached any sort of a nicotine buzz yet, even with smoking this right out of bed and on an empty stomach. The cigar needed one more correction about ¾ of the way through the second third. The flavor profile of this cigar isn’t anything crazy to write about, but it is an enjoyable cigar nonetheless. I wouldn’t mind having some of these on hand, but I would probably not buy blind and would prefer buying them at the recommendation of the Prez only after getting his seal of approval. I’m certain with age this cigar would have more to offer, but thus far I’m left with a “flat” sort of feeling on this stick.

Final Third

This cigar has smoothed out and I would say although very spicy and peppery it is only medium in body. The cigar continues to be enjoyable, but I would not say it is one of the better ones that I have smoked. Notes of pepper, barnyard/hay, spice, leather, and earth continue to roll around the palate as this cigar comes closer to an end. This cigar has smoked relatively quick compared to other PC’s that I have smoked. I will say I really enjoy the volume and thickness of the smoke that this little stick produces. As I stick to my wine comparisons with regard to viscosity, the amount, thickness, and overall description of the smoke would most closely compare to the viscosity of a good Cabernet Sauvignon or big bold tannic red wine.

Ending Notes

I did this review at the request of some fellow BOTL’s as a standalone review but also to use as a comparison to my previous Partagas Short review. I find this cigar to be far less desirable with my palate than my feelings about my Partagas Short that I reviewed a month or so back. As a matter of fact, I just sent an email in hopes of scoring one of the 50 cabs of partagas shorts from the recent 48:48. I don’t know if I feel the same after smoking this cigar right now. I’d rather spend my money on others. That being said I would give this cigar an overall score of 80-82. The fact that it was under filled, went out a couple times in the last third, along with the overall flat flavor profile is what just did me in. I still smoked this cigar to the nub but really missed out on the complex flavors and cream that I so enjoyed from the partagas short review. Not to mention I just really don’t enjoy a loose draw and under filled cigar. I would overall be willing to buy this cigar again, but only if I saw it for a good deal on a 24:24 and ONLY with the Prez’s recommendation. Most likely, I will try and revisit this cigar with a five pack before considering a box purchase.

Total time spent smoking, 1 hr. 14 min.

Cheers,

Seth

What was the box date?

[PuroDan]

Nice review

[CoCigarSmoker]

All of the recent cigars were bought as singles and I don't have box codes. I have been ordering from FOH exclusively since I joined and all future reviews will include box codes if they are known.

Sorry guys : /

Seth

[jholen]

Thanks for the review!

So you're not going forward with the Partagas short cab? What about this smoke made you reconsider (if I'm reading it correctly)?

[CoCigarSmoker]

Oh wow. After rereading this I can see the confusion. What I meant was I bought the party short 50 cab but I don't want to buy that quantity of this cigar until I have a chance to reevaluate with a five pack or so first...

Sorry about that guys,

Seth

[Rye]

Great review!

It seems like you were missing a key leaf for the profile of that cigar. Even young, I find these one of the richest and most flavourful of all regular production.

Better luck with the next one!

[jholen]

Oh wow. After rereading this I can see the confusion. What I meant was I bought the party short 50 cab but I don't want to buy that quantity of this cigar until I have a chance to reevaluate with a five pack or so first...

Sorry about that guys,

Seth

Gotcha! I got a fiver of shorts coming in, and have two or three of these guys so looking forward to smoking both to see which I prefer. Also have JL and RASCC so maybe a little four way head-to-head reviewing is at hand!

[CoCigarSmoker]

Gotcha! I got a fiver of shorts coming in, and have two or three of these guys so looking forward to smoking both to see which I prefer. Also have JL and RASCC so maybe a little four way head-to-head reviewing is at hand!

Nice, that would be great if you could set up that head to head review!! I have on RASCC I think and I'm planning on doing that review in the next week or so. I'll link that one back to the original party short review as well.

Seth

[Quint]

Thanks for the review my experience with BPCs have been very favorable and possibly a little more full body than what you describe. But I haven't smoke any recent production.

[brownpeter335]

It's an excellent review! This cigar is great for a smoke is not too difficult, time-consuming, but satisfying.

[Quint]

This used to be one of my favourites. Last box I bought were all extremely under filled. I won't be buying any more.

This is very concerning, what was the box code on your box? I was thinking of picking up a couple of boxes but now a bit hesitant.

[bradbrennan]

The box was MUR FEB13.

Was a shame because I love the flavour profile of these...when properly filled. I'm sure it was probably just a one off but when something like that happens I have a hard time biting again.

Had a box of Espys that were mainly plugs a while back and have yet to bite on those since. Which is a damn shame because they are my favourite large cigar and I would love to get some that I know would be smokeable.

I can deal with a small percentage of construction issues within any box but it really pisses me off when a whole box is fubar.

Life is too short to hate on em for long my future son in-law bought a box of Punch Punch about a year ago and found many plugged...I picked up a box recently on Rob's sale and they are fabulous!!

[Quint]

The box was MUR FEB13.

Was a shame because I love the flavour profile of these...when properly filled. I'm sure it was probably just a one off but when something like that happens I have a hard time biting again.

Had a box of Espys that were mainly plugs a while back and have yet to bite on those since. Which is a damn shame because they are my favourite large cigar and I would love to get some that I know would be smokeable.

I can deal with a small percentage of construction issues within any box but it really pisses me off when a whole box is fubar.

Couldn't agree more. Hate to spend the money on bad product and like you say once bitten it's very difficult to pull that trigger again. Same can be said for the vendor even though mostly likely out of their control unless it's grey market and buying up the crap.

[SEOguy10]

This used to be one of my favourites. Last box I bought were all extremely under filled. I won't be buying any more.

Same thing happened to me.....either under filled or plugged but the flavor was not the same. I am hesitant to buy more. It's a shame because I have a soft spot for this stick, it was my first cuban and one of my favorites

[rmill3r]

Just want to say that I have the same Bugatti lighter and I find that it often won't light even if the reservoir is filled to the brim with butane. I click and click the button but it just hisses. So I often have to change the dial on the bottom of the reservoir from either the high end to the low end (or vice versa) and then usually after a bit it will "catch on" and light again.

Do you have problems like that at all with it?

[CoCigarSmoker]

Just want to say that I have the same Bugatti lighter and I find that it often won't light even if the reservoir is filled to the brim with butane. I click and click the button but it just hisses. So I often have to change the dial on the bottom of the reservoir from either the high end to the low end (or vice versa) and then usually after a bit it will "catch on" and light again.

Do you have problems like that at all with it?

I can't say I've ever had those problems with my lighter. Gotta say for a cheap freebie it's been an amazing lighter!

Cheers,

Seth

[CoCigarSmoker]

Ramon Allones Small Club Corona comparison as requested

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=122496&hl=

Cheers,

Seth