Welcome to the new Stogie Voice (formerly known as The Stogie Sampler). Thanks to everyone who chimed in various ways with various name suggestions for this new audio only feature.
Walt reviewed the Bolivar (Dominican) back in June and since I had one of these sitting in my humidor for the last three months, I thought I’d give it a shot and see what my taste buds make of it.
My opinion of the Bolivar (Dominican) wasn’t too far off of Walt’s. I was disappointed and actually grew pretty frustrated with this Bolivar requiring relight after relight. I’m sorry but when a cigar carrys the name Bolivar I expect something a bit more stable. I also found the bitter flavor profile offensive. I don’t know about you but I don’t like the taste of bitter coffee. Its like drinking the last cup of coffee that has been sitting on the office warmer for 6 hours. Add to that the dry, salty finish and I was just disappointed by the Bolivar (Dominican).
Maybe I went into the review with high expectations. The Connecticut Medio Tiempo binder is the same binder you will find on the Partagas Black and knowing how much I love the Partagas Black had me really excited about the Bolivar (Dominican). Well give me a Partagas Black any day over the Bolivar (Dominican). Maybe its unfair to compare these two cigars based soley on the two having the same binder and a similar filler but when one of the selling points used to market the Bolivar (Dominican) is to add a blurb about it sharing the same binder that you find on the Partagas Black, you’re just asking for it to be compared.
If I were you, I’d stay clear of the Bolivar (Dominican).
P.S. – I was able to figure out the “chipmunk” effect problem I was having with the mp3. So this is in mp3 format so everyone should have no problems listening. Also look for The Stogie Voice Podcast available soon on iTunes.
I completely agree with you on these. Though, I learned long ago you can’t judge a non-Cuban cigar by a name that also represents a Cuban cigar. (Can someone say Cohiba?)
I’m not sure that any amount of time in the humidor will help these things out.
I concur as well. These things are truly awful. And to think, JR’s Bolivar Fuerte, a fine cigar had to be renamed for this garbage.
Thanks for the heads up Jerry, that’s what I like about you guys, you tell it like it is. Now I know not to buy this cigar.
It might improve if you put it in that 601 box it’s sitting on.
I had one of these about a week ago. I liked it. I don’t remember any burn problems, and it had a flavor that I liked. I was going to go back to the B & M to get a couple more.
I like the Partagas Black. It has very interesting flavor, but it leaves me feeling immobilized, like there is a 30-foot boa constrictor wrapped around my chest.
I must say my experience with these is much different than yours. I bought 10 of the churchhills and put them in one of my Humis, except for one which I burned. The taste was great, sweet and a little chocolaty. Full of smoke, easy draw, slow burn. The burn was great, ash firm, no burn issues. I guess yall got some bad ones out of the same box. I will buy them anytime. They are a full bodied, and a great smoke, and will not hurt your bank account.
Smoking one now. Good draw. No re-light needed. Nice cigar. Would buy again. Salty and oily. Nice dry rosewood finish.
still smoking this thing. Still good! Gets sweet at the end like chocolate expresso.
I to enjoyed this stick. Wasnt the greatest but on a 1-10 I gave it a 6-7. It burned fine and I enjoyed it all the way through. I will try this one again. Smoke it 2 days after I bought it. The best cuban I ever smoke was a Bolivar, to this day I remember where I was and who I was with. I have one ageing for about 3 years and have looked at it several times to smoke. I am getting over a cold so I have held off. Thanks again for your reviews.
I completely disagree with this review. I “inherited” a humidor from a friend when he moved and it had several of these Dominican Bolvars, along with many others (around 30 cigars in total, of various varieties). Out of all the cigars in the humidor, the Bolivar was my absolute favorite. There has never been any burn problems of keeping it lit; no bitter taste at all. If I can’t get my hands on a Bolivar, I’ll grab a Nub Habano but otherwise,the Bolivar is my favorite smoke.