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Part two of a Bolivar Coronas Extra comparison review between 2007 & 1970's BCX. Part one available here:
So here is the second instalment if the Bolly now and then review. Thanks to Simon B for making the 70's version available to me and to Simon at MySmokingShop for the great service and condition of the 2007 cigar.
Bolivar Corona Extra 1970's
Ring gauge: 44
Length: 5.6 inches
Body advertised as: Full
As with the 2097 cigar this cigar is an attractive shape and size with a high standard of build quality. The wrapper is medium in colour but unlike the newer version it is barely toothy at all. The veining is fine and smooth.
The smell is rich and sweet again but sweeter by half again with an almost minty herbal note (looking back this was present with the last one). The cap is well constructed and I chose to punch cut it again for the sake of consistency.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801103.117967.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801119.224086.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801128.413333.jpg
The cold draw is free but with back pressure. Just perfect for my liking. This vitola is a wonderful cigar size for me, very nice build.
Ok once more into the breach...
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801142.635911.jpg
Lighting is clean and trouble free, jet flame this time but the result is the same. Consistently good build and burn so far. Not bad for the 30-40 years age difference. Initial tastes are of hay and a nutty flavour. While I found the tastes consistent with sweet things like nuts in caramel I also can't say that the smoke is sweet. Retrohale is smooth and gives something spicy to a bump to the existing flavours of nuts, this compliments the other flavours well in the way that a pinch of mace gives something extra to a sticky toffee pud.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801189.092268.jpg
As with the above picture this is a cigar of light and shade. I set it down to stop myself from spoiling the experience, in doing so I lose the firs cm of ash.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801206.201159.jpg
After a rest our little 1970's brunette is tastier than ever. She's spicing up with pepper and taking on a depth of flavour which is definitely leaning towards leather. The smoke is thick and fulfilling but blueish as with its younger sibling. The profile with the 2007 cigar was herbal and light, while this one does have some grassy/hay it is definitely more of a robust cigar. The best way I can describe it is to say that much of the characteristics of the young model are here but rather than being defined individually they are married into one balanced smoke.
A little sweet coffee now to help with the nicotine hit which is quite strong. In fact I have found many of the older cigars I've smoked have a strong nicotine hit which I would have though would be the opposite.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801230.029974.jpg
This cigar cannot be accused of being boring, every time I put it down it comes back with a change. I had a cup of tea and it seems to bring the herbal quality out which was so prevalent with the younger cigar. The combination of fresh grassy herbs and dark peppery spice is married within a leather casing. Altogether these profiles amount to a cigar which would suit a sweet, but not too sweet, spirit such as a pure highland single malt or a not too sweet cognac such as Hine.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418729863.703964.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418732310.984785.jpg
This has been an extremely enjoyable cigar, the photos ended with the above but the cigar was a true pleasure right up to two inches where I sadly said goodbye to be left with a strong Nicotine hit and a feeling of having had a truly special experience. This cigar was my chosen birthday treat and did not fail to fulfil on its promise of being something very special. I shouldn't think I will get another opportunity to smoke one of these but if that occasion does arise I know that it will be a special moment indeed.
The scores:
Build /15
The build quality on this cigar is beyond fall, the shape construction draw and appearance are all great. I can't deduct points here 15/15
Flavour Profile /25
The flavours that came from the cigar were varied and well balanced, if I were to take points away it would be because I enjoy some of the meatier flavours that cigars can give and find pepper to be overpowering at times. In this case the pepper was within the limits of my enjoyment and was well balanced. 22/25
Smoking Characteristics /25
Smoking this cigar didn't offer up any burn issues. The cigar burned slowly but wasn't tight or too loose. The smoke itself was think and tasty with plenty of changes and interest. 22/25
Overall Experience /35
Overall I found this cigar delivered on its promise of rounded aged flavours. In an ideal world I would have like a tad less pepper and a touch more richness however it was lovely in ways that I simply haven't experienced before. I'm giving a high score based on the sense of occasion that this cigar gave me. 31/35
Total score: 90/100
So here is the second instalment if the Bolly now and then review. Thanks to Simon B for making the 70's version available to me and to Simon at MySmokingShop for the great service and condition of the 2007 cigar.
Bolivar Corona Extra 1970's
Ring gauge: 44
Length: 5.6 inches
Body advertised as: Full
As with the 2097 cigar this cigar is an attractive shape and size with a high standard of build quality. The wrapper is medium in colour but unlike the newer version it is barely toothy at all. The veining is fine and smooth.
The smell is rich and sweet again but sweeter by half again with an almost minty herbal note (looking back this was present with the last one). The cap is well constructed and I chose to punch cut it again for the sake of consistency.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801103.117967.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801119.224086.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801128.413333.jpg
The cold draw is free but with back pressure. Just perfect for my liking. This vitola is a wonderful cigar size for me, very nice build.
Ok once more into the breach...
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801142.635911.jpg
Lighting is clean and trouble free, jet flame this time but the result is the same. Consistently good build and burn so far. Not bad for the 30-40 years age difference. Initial tastes are of hay and a nutty flavour. While I found the tastes consistent with sweet things like nuts in caramel I also can't say that the smoke is sweet. Retrohale is smooth and gives something spicy to a bump to the existing flavours of nuts, this compliments the other flavours well in the way that a pinch of mace gives something extra to a sticky toffee pud.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801189.092268.jpg
As with the above picture this is a cigar of light and shade. I set it down to stop myself from spoiling the experience, in doing so I lose the firs cm of ash.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801206.201159.jpg
After a rest our little 1970's brunette is tastier than ever. She's spicing up with pepper and taking on a depth of flavour which is definitely leaning towards leather. The smoke is thick and fulfilling but blueish as with its younger sibling. The profile with the 2007 cigar was herbal and light, while this one does have some grassy/hay it is definitely more of a robust cigar. The best way I can describe it is to say that much of the characteristics of the young model are here but rather than being defined individually they are married into one balanced smoke.
A little sweet coffee now to help with the nicotine hit which is quite strong. In fact I have found many of the older cigars I've smoked have a strong nicotine hit which I would have though would be the opposite.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418801230.029974.jpg
This cigar cannot be accused of being boring, every time I put it down it comes back with a change. I had a cup of tea and it seems to bring the herbal quality out which was so prevalent with the younger cigar. The combination of fresh grassy herbs and dark peppery spice is married within a leather casing. Altogether these profiles amount to a cigar which would suit a sweet, but not too sweet, spirit such as a pure highland single malt or a not too sweet cognac such as Hine.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418729863.703964.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1418732310.984785.jpg
This has been an extremely enjoyable cigar, the photos ended with the above but the cigar was a true pleasure right up to two inches where I sadly said goodbye to be left with a strong Nicotine hit and a feeling of having had a truly special experience. This cigar was my chosen birthday treat and did not fail to fulfil on its promise of being something very special. I shouldn't think I will get another opportunity to smoke one of these but if that occasion does arise I know that it will be a special moment indeed.
The scores:
Build /15
The build quality on this cigar is beyond fall, the shape construction draw and appearance are all great. I can't deduct points here 15/15
Flavour Profile /25
The flavours that came from the cigar were varied and well balanced, if I were to take points away it would be because I enjoy some of the meatier flavours that cigars can give and find pepper to be overpowering at times. In this case the pepper was within the limits of my enjoyment and was well balanced. 22/25
Smoking Characteristics /25
Smoking this cigar didn't offer up any burn issues. The cigar burned slowly but wasn't tight or too loose. The smoke itself was think and tasty with plenty of changes and interest. 22/25
Overall Experience /35
Overall I found this cigar delivered on its promise of rounded aged flavours. In an ideal world I would have like a tad less pepper and a touch more richness however it was lovely in ways that I simply haven't experienced before. I'm giving a high score based on the sense of occasion that this cigar gave me. 31/35
Total score: 90/100
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