Cuban Cigar Reviews

Country of origin: Cuba

Dimensions:  5 ½ inches by 52 – ring gauge

Date smoked: Saturday 08/23/08

Time:  6:30 PM – 7:38PM

Location:  Afternoon at my smoking patio.    

Accompanying drinks:  Filtered water, carbonated water, Zaya Rum

Color of wrapper:  Darker than most Bolivars that I have smoked. Deep chestnut with hues of umber and abundant glistening oils which reflected glittering specks of bronze in the late afternoon sun. 

Construction:  Firm, yet not overly firm. The triple cap was neatly brought to a fine point.  Several petite veins ran the length adding texture and contrast to the swarthy wrapper.  Steeped in oil this well aged cigar was ripe.             

Pre-light Aroma:  Floral with hints of leather

Cut:  Using a Xikar X3 a precision cut was made

Pre-Light Draw:  Earth and spice were predominant with a bittersweet taste left lingering.

Combustion:  Torch lighter.

Post Light Aroma:  Floral and hints of earth. 

Initial Draw:  Just slightly resistive with enough pressure to produce a fine draw.  The initial draw was that of jasmine combined with peat with a lingering and unpleasant bitter finish.  My censorious nature was peaked finding fault with the initial unpleasantness of the finish. Still a first impression, however first impressions are difficult be undone. 

First third:  Typical of Bolivar profile heavy earth, piquant spiciness, and rich tobacco married with jasmine lingered on the palate. Voluminous plumes of smoke poured forth filling the cloudless, breezeless sky.  The bouquet was delightfully floral and nimbly contrasted the deluge of earth and spice.  The burn was crooked rejecting all attempts to be corrected and the bitterness experienced from the initial draw refused subside the entire first third.

Second third:  Coming into the second third the unpleasant bitterness completely disappeared.  The opening intensity mellowed gracefully to a mild leathery earth with overtones of coffee and a pinch of cayenne.  In the twilight of the second third and approaching the final third the intensity of the opening returned.  The volume of smoke remained unchanged, as well as the stubborn burn.

Final third:  The final third married the intensity of the opening with the gracefulness of the second.  Rich and heavy toasted tobacco and coffee stained leather dominated the palate while a welcome return of jasmine and lighter floral notes tickled the nose.  The smoke did become noticeably thinner but the burn eventually submitted.  There was light grey ash with cavernous black gorges.

Synopsis:  Bolivars are a cigar unto themselves.  Perfect when earth, leather, and rich tobacco married with mild floral tones are on your menu.  Overlooking the uncharacteristic bitterness presented in the first third of this smoke the profile fit the Bolivar template splendidly.  The molasses sweetness of the Zaya 12 year old Guatemalan rum brought balance to the spiciness of the smoke.  Bolivars are splendid when fresh and divine with 5 years or longer of age.  Approachable to the trained and untrained palate alike.      

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