The Bolivar Gold Medal was a cigar that I’ve been keeping in my humidor for quite a while. It was gifted to me by a friend in Jackson, MS and I was trying to save it for a special occasion. No particular reason why, but I decided to just go ahead and break it out and smoke it. So I go sit out in my man cave on a hot, humid night and I lit it up. I don’t smoke too many Cuban cigars as my supply is limited, but lately I have been because……why wait? I do like to age my cigars, Cubans especially since they develop so well over time, but I figured 6 years is long enough. You CAN age them too long. The Gold Medal was chosen as the sacrificial cigar this night.
Pre-light
The cigar is wrapped in a gold foil paper wrapper which has protected the wrapper for any damage. It has a sort of rustic looking wrapper that bumpy and quite mottled. I cut the cap off, which was pretty well applied, and took a draw. The draw was pretty hard. I can barely get much air through the cigar. Only having one of these, thought, I pushed on. The only flavors I’m getting is a light tobacco and wood flavor off the draw.
First Half
I can barely get any smoke through the cigar. Struggle as I might, I do get a little smoke through. I get a nice mild spice and woody notes. It actually much milder than I expected as Bolivar as usually one of the more potent lines in Cuba. Still, nothing to impressive yet.
Last Half
As the cigar burned down, the draw only got worse which was quite disappointing considering this was the only one I had. The flavors did change a bit. The cigar developed a nice sweetness that I wasn’t expecting. Also, accompanying the sweetness, was a nuttiness that remind me of almonds. Pretty good combo, but one I wish wasn’t disrupted by the horrible draw. No telling what flavors and richness I’m missing because the draw is so bad.
Overall Impressions
I’m very disappointed. I had high hopes for this cigar, but like most Cubans these days, its a gamble on if you will get a smokeable cigar. With Cubans, when they are on, they are spectacular. When they are off, they complete unsmokeable. This one was borderline. If I had more, I would have definitely pitched it and got another. As this was my only one, I just soldier through it. The flavor I did get were promising, but they could never fully develop. I should have also smoked this cigar when it was younger, but hindsight is 20/20. Still, I would like to try it again. One day.
I just don’t find cubans to be all the rage, I have had some great ones, but overall between the high cost of finding them and never knowing what you get I stick to Ones that I can pick up at my local shop?
I had the same thing happen with a pair of Bolivar Royal Coronas. I aged them for +-5 years and broke them out for my old man’s retirement party. Both were plugged and mind tarred up pretty bad. Shitty.
I’ve had the same bad draw situations more than pleasant experiences. And with so many great cigars nowadays why go through the hassle of the “forbidden” ones. I find it funny we you talk to that guy that only smokes Cubans and he is to stubborn to try anything else. If only they knew what they are missing out.on.
Yea, I’ve run into a few people like that myself and I could never understand their stance. There are SO many good cigars outside of Cuba, that you are completely missing out if you only smoke Cubans. Mostly I find its an ego thing, but for some its just they only like that flavor profile and stick to it. For me, its like food. I love steak, but not everyday or every meal. Sometimes I’d rather have lobster or BBQ!
First off, no you CANNOT age them too long. I’ve smoked cigars from the 70’s that were sooo good, you’d cream your jeans and never buy an NC again. Secondly, I’m not an NC hater. I have quite a few, but I can guarantee all the comments you guys have made about Cubans is BS. If the embargo was lifted, you’d be buying up all the stock faster than a fat kid on a Smartie!
You know why you’d be buying it up? One reason is cause the cost of a lot of the NC’s has gone crazy. $170.00 for a box of AB Prensado (20 count box), $179.00 for a box of Partagas 4’s (25 count box) Hey! 5 extra sticks, so you can give a few tight ones out to your cigar review buddies who should think before they open their yaps about aging cigars too long.
Keep your CC’s at a much lower RH than you NC’s. That might help. Closer to 60.
Yeah, someone pissed in my Cornflakes this morning – Have a nice day.
This is a funny post. Also, as time goes on, I find myself agreeing with everything you say more and more
Atmy favorite website, they just offered Bolivar Belicosos Finos for $210 for a box of 25. Despite the risk of have a few with significant draw problems, I would make that purchase any day of the week over AB Prensado and the like.
Pass the cornflakes!