2010 Bolivar Royal Corona Review (BRW)

[maverickdrinker]

 

 

The wrapper has a deep chestnut hue with reddish streaks. The construction is excellent. Firm throughout the cigar with a slight give when squeezed. Based on the shape, this came from a 25 count dress box as you can see it has been slightly box pressed. The triple cap looks good, the foot is packed and the bunching looks excellent. Aromas of honey, barnyard, earth and dark chocolate emanate from the wrapper.

 

 

First Third

Very heavy flavour profile to start. Earth, leather, black pepper and light oak are the predominant flavours upon the first few draws. Medium to full bodied in strength. Glad I ate before this as there is a muscularity to this flavour profile. Rich and robust with no harshness.

 

The retrohale is powerful. Muscular layers of earth, leather, black pepper and light oak move brashly through the nasal passages. Will have to smoke this slowly to respect the flavour profile.

 

The after finish is equally powerful. Lush layers of black pepper, leather, earth and light oak do a stomp routine on the palate. The medium to full bodied strength level amplifies this core grouping and then eventually gives way to roasted nuts with touches of chalk, gravel and sour dough bread. Rich and heavy on the palate. No sweetness to speak of. Will need to smoke this slowly to let the palate recover between draws on this one.

 

 

Second Third

The retrohale is relentless. Strong layers of black pepper, earth, leather and light oak move aggressively through the nasal passages. Leaves an impression, that’s for sure.

 

The after finish is a barrage of black pepper, earth, leather and light oak at the forefront. The medium to full strength level allows them to dominate the palate. The roasted nuts, chalk, gravel and sour dough notes make an appearance at the very end. This is going to be tough to finish as this is an assault on the senses. Not shy at all. Big, brash and bold...

 

 

Final Third

The retrohale continues to flex its muscles as it moves through the nasal passages. Black pepper, light oak, earth and leather are taking no prisoners.

 

The after finish reminds me of the phrase: ‘no pain, no gain.’ Black pepper, light oak, leather and earth dominate the palate and give way to roasted nuts, chalk and gravel. The sour dough is replaced with touches of expresso, deepening the flavour profile. The full bodied strength level extends the duration on the palate. Very impressed at the lack of harshness. Full, unabated flavours that seem to last forever. Wow...

 

 

Final Impressions

This is old school Bolivar as I know it. A shock and awe kind of cigar. Powerful, rich and decadent. Something to enjoy after a steak and with a scotch. The steak to prepare your body and the scotch to balance out this muscular flavour profile. Lots of runway to easily age for a long time.

 

The good news is that there was no harshness or tannins throughout this whole time. Just pure flavour power and strength. Not much complexity. More of a display on how power and the right flavour composition can still be enjoyable if you take your time. Holds your attention and forces you to smoke slowly to respect the strength and give your palate time to recover. I may need a nap after this... 86 points

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MMarbs]

Thank you for the review!

It does sound like an old-school Bolivar blend. Your description of the stick's flavor profile pretty much aligns with my memory of the Royal Coronas I smoked 5-10 yrs ago. The blend for the Boli RC seems to be much less strong, but flavor profile - at least to my palate - is more sweeter. I've had a few from a recent box (April 2019) and I've found a sweet chocolate taste to be prominent among the flavors.