Bolivar Coronas Extra TEB JUN 08 (BWRC)

[Fugu]

Here we go, another one of the 'dreaded' incentive review-marathons .... But with a big thanks to Rob for initiating this one. While Bolívar is not exactly a forgotten marca, it's a marca looked upon with mixed emotions, as has been stated before. An either love or hate relationship for many. The result being that we saw the loss of a great many classic Bolívar vitolas over the years, recently finding a sad culmination in the cutting of the Gigantes. May this review series aid in promoting the marca and in particular in praising its remaining regular production range! Still great cigars! Boli for me has always been emblematic 'Cuban'. Always reliable, always top quality tobacco (with the making not always on par with that), and - quite literally - a down-to-earth appeal. Even if it may at times be coming across a bit bucolic and a bit too explicitly dead-on.

Bolívar as a marca just got me thinking the other day, when Rob posted one of his infamous box-of-the day threads (mouthwatering indeed), including a pic of the new PCC Boli Silver Jubilee. A majority of the respondents were expressing great excitement about it. And quite understandably so (you bloody suckers... .) > HSA and its distributors seem doing something incredibly right there, kudos to them! Really can't fault them..... Now, I most certainly don't want to be a party pooper here, but it made me wonder, quite honestly - how far have we come, and come so quick?! Times when cigars like this...

...had been the norm, not the 'special', some ten years back. Regular production at six, seven bucks a piece, and no one really cared for..... for Bolívar anyway..... Now we have to divert money on special editions and surcharging for cigars that once came as a staple. That being said, when have we last seen Bolìvar special-production in a "normal" ring-gauge range of under 48? 2010 had seen the "slender" tumbado-headed Corona Gorda from Spain, while the one and only true skinny, the Delicados-shaped Especiales No. 2 of Germany is now reaching a full decade back.

 

Well, let's stop whining (bear with me) and better dive into the review of what has been a former staple of so many Boli smokers, the Coronas Extra:

For this review I pulled out a stick from a ten year old dress box. What to say about this cigar that hasn't been said before? Great, unique format, perfect feel in hand, a cigar of high quality and consistent production. Had once been considered as being one of the strongest Cuban offerings, and while the blend had been tamed down a bit, for my feeling it still had retained its core characterisitcs until its sad ending. A true loss to the marca.

Draw of this specimen, the first from the lower layer, is a bit more on the open side, more than I would prefer. The cold draw giving you that typical taste of old linden wood. Lights easily, and off we go...

First few puffs and you are immediately greeted with great Boli flavours. A leatheriness and distinct notes of walnut over a strong roasted tobacco core. Starting straight out medium-bodied. Displaying less of the damp-forest floor you would normally associate with Bolivar, and which you get in particular in the Inmensas and also in the Tubo-range. This is just a delight right from the start.

 

As we move on, toastiness retreating a bit and espresso notes tune in, interwoven with hints of dark chocolate. Leather and nuts still there. At the transition between first and second third the cigar is at medium-full to full already. An exemplary sample of a great 'BCE'.

About mid cigar a distinctive aroma of Danish salt licorice pops up. Very nicely pairing with a hint of molasses sweetness kicking in. Though not at all a sweet blend, there are even faint toffee notes, like caramel minus the creamy-sweetness. Contrasting surprisingly well with even a bit of chalky-minerally dryness on the palate. Great and unique flavour experience. Despite its slight underfill, the cigar is very forgiving with regard to the cadence of drawing. Great burn! When you feel like you want to savour still another puff - no problem. Make a pause for 3 minutes and it's also no issue - the cigar is back right there with the second draw.

Towards the end of the second third, the cigar even ramps up further in its complexity. Now with a distinctive nappa-leather component over a nutty (almonds, walnut), damp earth (now it's there) basis on a canvas of basically 'darker'-notes. I am enjoying this immensely right now. At this calm late winter's night, with the occasional high-pitched calls of remote flocks of white-fronted geese, sounding in through the tilted window. Birds on their nightly return-migration to their arctic breeding grounds, utilizing an amzing and still not fully understood combo of magnetic and astronavigation.

Last third of this fabulous stick adding a Latakia smokiness, which makes for still another interesting twist to this great-burning cigar. Though I am not a big fan of English blends, this is in full harmony with the cigar's profile. Still getting some molasses and toffee notes, leather, nuts, a Guinness liquorice if you look for it and a faint earthiness. Cigar still ramping up in intensity, depth and concentration. But all this time remaining a very hamonious smoke, which I am enjoying until the moment comes to lay it down. Smoking time a satisfying 85 min.

 

This was another fine example of the great Coronas Extra. A cigar with its very own character. No frutiness, no floral-hints, no herbal spiciness to find in this cigar. And I think it is quite comprehensible that this is not to everybody's liking, as this cigar likewise doesn't intend to be everybody's darling. A cigar that is so definite, making a statement. 94-95 points, only owing to the more open than perfect draw.

Thanks for reading, the Goo

[Derboesekoenig]

Great review. Unfortunately, I wish I hadn't read it. I only have one box of BCE and have been trying to avoid even looking at it...I may need to try one and see where mine currently are in terms of flavor.

[Raskol]

Great review. Not much luck previously with BCE. After reading this, will give it another go...Thank you!!

[Fugu]

21 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Great review. Unfortunately, I wish I hadn't read it. I only have one box of BCE and have been trying to avoid even looking at it...I may need to try one and see where mine currently are in terms of flavor.

Lol, sorry for posting that! . Now, it can be hard, true, but certainly do it. Your box will have at least a decent few years on it already. So, not much to lose really (apart from a virgin box...). But there also is no rush with these, as they usually got the legs for the long run.

20 hours ago, Raskol said:

Great review. Not much luck previously with BCE. After reading this, will give it another go...Thank you!!

Sorry to hear that. In terms of taste or poor quality? I did rarely come across a bad BCE. As you say, perhaps give it another try. But I think you'd be in good company if their profile just may not be to your liking.

[RDB]

Super review, thank you. That’s a lovely wooden ashtray too.

[Raskol]

2 hours ago, Fugu said:

Lol, sorry for posting that! . Now, it can be hard, true, but certainly do it. Your box will have at least a decent few years on it already. So, not much to lose really (apart from a virgin box...). But there also is no rush with these, as they usually got the legs for the long run.

Sorry to hear that. In terms of taste or poor quality? I did rarely come across a bad BCE. As you say, perhaps give it another try. But I think you'd be in good company if their profile just may not be to your liking.

I believe it's not to my liking. But I will not give up.... Thanks for reminding to try them again with the great review. 

[Derboesekoenig]

2 hours ago, Fugu said:

Lol, sorry for posting that! . Now, it can be hard, true, but certainly do it. Your box will have at least a decent few years on it already. So, not much to lose really (apart from a virgin box...). But there also is no rush with these, as they usually got the legs for the long run.

I believe mine are about to turn 20 this summer.