Bolivar Coronas Junior ETP DIC 16 (BWRC)

[MigsG]

I discovered Bolivar at the beginning of my CC smoking hobby, some 4 years ago.  I was in Mexico on vacation and excited to try CCs for the first time.  The cigar/wine shop had only four boxes of cigars at that time, so I picked one cigar from each box.  The very first cigar I had was a dark small cigar in a red tube, a Tubos #2.  I rushed back to the hotel and lit up the little Bolivar.  Very aromatic and flavorful, and overpowering. My tongue was enveloped in black coffee and leather and spice and earthy flavors.  It was all too much for me.  I ended it halfway and thought to myself, that was so strong, that sucked.  LOL.  ? Now I look back and think, that was a really delicious cigar! 

On to this nice looking Coronas Junior I had yesterday.  To my eyes, a good looking wrapper. This has been sitting in my tupperdor since July, 2018. I was giddy with excitement to taste and see how 7 months resting would do to this cigar.  The last one I had was a week after I got the box.  In case you're wondering, I have been traveling abroad and just got back.  Or else I would have smoked through that box in 2 months! 

Beautiful start, thick fragrant smoke.  This cigar comes on strong, full flavors immediately hitting my palate.  To me, I taste a very black coffee sweetened by honey (or is that molasses?) - as well as leather and tobacco. I smoke it slowly, but it is quite difficult to do, these flavors are addicting.

After a third of the way, the cigar starts to lose the black coffee intensity, and I'm detecting maybe a transition to a very dark bitter chocolate. Some of the honey/molasses finish seems to be wearing off. I actually puff a little deeper trying to get the intensity from the first third.

The final third seems muted to me - I want to go back to the first third.  I'm still very happy with this cigar though, and I smoke it slower, about a puff every 45 seconds, to keep it from going bitter quickly.  All in all, it was probably a 30 minute smoke for me, as I don't nub it, because I don't want to end on a bitter spicy note.

I wonder if aging it didn't improve it, but rather muted its intensity? If that's the case, I'm smoking these ROTT!

From a box I purchased last July 2018, with a box code ETP DIC 16.   Does that mean the vendor I purchased from isn't selling as many of these so I can buy at least 2 year old boxes?  I gotta buy more! 

I'd rate this an 88 out of 100 using cigar afficionado's ratings scale. Which is very good, in my book.

 

 

[Akela3rd]

Good, interesting review.
My review for this comp was for a BCJ with a date of ETP MAY 16. I rated it as the best cigar I've had in weeks, fully intense from start to finish with licorice as a dominant theme.
Dunno. Give em six more months and see what happens? If that six months is the charm you're in for a treat.

Sent from my ActionMan walkie-talkie

[MigsG]

1 hour ago, Akela3rd said:

Good, interesting review.
My review for this comp was for a BCJ with a date of ETP MAY 16. I rated it as the best cigar I've had in weeks, fully intense from start to finish with licorice as a dominant theme.
Dunno. Give em six more months and see what happens? If that six months is the charm you're in for a treat.

Sent from my ActionMan walkie-talkie
 

Thanks, Akela3rd!  My first ever review so I appreciate the comments and tips.

I'll check out your review. That's fantastic that yours was full on to the end. I may have to also buy some licorice just so I know exactly what it tastes like. Grew up in Manila and I don't recall ever having the chance to eat licorice, maybe we just didn't have it available to us over there.

I'll do that, maybe have one every month or so, see how it progresses/changes. I don't have that much self control, but I have other boxes of cigars ( El Principe, RASCC, Monte Open Junior, Monte 4, Super Partagas, HUHC, Reyes) I can enjoy as bi-weekly smokes in the meantime. Also keeping them between 62-63 RH which seems to be the sweet spot with my other cigars. Gracias!