Are Bolivars losing their punch?

[mcdee]

Okay I have a Boli CG, Box Code - PUR MAR 16, might have to take the flame to this in the name of science.

They are fantastic smokes. I think the BBF is a pretty strong, full bodied smoke, but still well balanced.

[mcdee]

Which Padron would you recommend to get the typical flavours of the brand? Would this be the same one to experience a really full/strong one?

Try a Padron 2000, or any of the thousand range. Then there's the 1964, 1926 and family reserve range as well. One of the strongest cigars I've ever had was a Padron 1926. Can't remember which one but it was DC size and blew my head off! It was almost too much.

[Tomm783]

Try a Padron 2000, or any of the thousand range. Then there's the 1964, 1926 and family reserve range as well. One of the strongest cigars I've ever had was a Padron 1926. Can't remember which one but it was DC size and blew my head off! It was almost too much.

McDee is right, the 1926?s are strong. I?ve got some 1926 No.6 Maduro?s which are a robusto size so I can?t imagine smoking a DC, I think I?d be dead [emoji23].
[MENTION=13447116]grumpybaldy[/MENTION] I?ll bring one to the herf for you to try.


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[JoeyGunz]

They are fantastic smokes. I think the BBF is a pretty strong, full bodied smoke, but still well balanced.

I have '07 & '16 BBF's could do a vertical tasting... just all means sod all now though doesn't it, only way to make a true comparison would have been to read tasting notes for each year of production and compare that way.

[TheMonk]

You?ve picked up on something I was curious about when I was reviewing the Corona Gigantes while on holiday, which was from 1998. I was curious if they would now be milder (albeit discontinued) now. Perhaps the Boli experts can shed some light...
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I believe the BCG has always been milder then most Bolis, which IMO is actually a good thing, given its size. BFFs for me are still quite strong, and can be very harsh when fresh (up to 2-3 years).

[zencohiba]

Having smoked a lots of ncs i can honestly say ive never had a cuban i would consider anything more than medium. Bolivars in my experience have a little strength but never anything overpowering. Cuba just doesnt blend that way.

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I have to agree wholeheartedly. I can't say if it's because Cuban cigars are milder now or if it's because the non Cubans have raised the bar when it comes to the strength of cigars. I remember when I started to smoke cigars in the mid 90's. I would look forward to the punch and flavour of a Cohiba robusto. Today if I want a full bodied cigar after a meal I wouldn't even think of reaching for a Cuban. I appreciate it may be because my palate has changed over the years but I think it's because of Cuban manufacturing. They can only grow X amount of tobacco. Only a small percentage of that would be ligero leaf which is the the strongest tasting. So if you produce enough for 50,000 boxes of cigars but can fill orders for 100,000 boxes.... what would you do? Half the amount of leaf in each cigar? I think you have to keep in mind also that that Cuban cigar production is basically a state run single entity despite all the different brands. In a dirt poor country like Cuba they want to maximise their sales and income from abroad possibly at the expense of some quality. Or it's because I've just become a cynical old bastard as the years have gone by.....

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[dmacleod28]

When I started smoking cigars I stayed away from Bolivars for a while because they had a reputation for being strong and suited only to the experienced smoker. Now they same to be changing course. Recently I smoked a Libertador that if I had been blind tasting I would have said was an Upmann or a Hoyo. I had a similar experience with a Geniales too. Just this week [MENTION=1090]RobustoClubHavana[/MENTION] smoked the Lusiador; the new Portuguese regional, and he said it was delicious but mild. Discuss ...

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I find the Bolivars gigantes I have are a nice medium strength smoke compared to most other Bolivars I have tried in past

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[grumpybaldy]

Try a Padron 2000, or any of the thousand range. Then there's the 1964, 1926 and family reserve range as well. One of the strongest cigars I've ever had was a Padron 1926. Can't remember which one but it was DC size and blew my head off! It was almost too much.

Thanks

[grumpybaldy]

McDee is right, the 1926?s are strong. I?ve got some 1926 No.6 Maduro?s which are a robusto size so I can?t imagine smoking a DC, I think I?d be dead [emoji23].
@grumpybaldy I?ll bring one to the herf for you to try.


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Excellent! Thanks! I'll bring a sun lounger just in case...

[dmacleod28]

I 2nd the padron 2000 great smoke

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[Alexw33]

Well that Bolivar Tubos No1 I’ve just finished certainly wasn’t what I’d consider strong, it was only
11 months old so should have been full of power but I can’t honestly say I notice any difference between that or any other Cuban cigar I’ve smoked. Very nice though, good earthy flavours, leather, floral and foresty (is that a word?) with a nice amount of spice and touch of fruit.

[big bopper]

Tend to find the smaller ring guages have more punch than the larger ones.

[mcdee]

The Bolivar no.3 tubos certainly packs a punch for such a small cigar.

[Wigan]

I too have steered away for sometime. but have found aged bolis not to have the reputed thump. i have some PC's to try from a recent split with [MENTION=13417760]Wigan[/MENTION] so will sample them in due course and share a view...

No you don't. Royal Corona I think.

[Emaresee]

No you don't. Royal Corona I think.

knew i'd got it wrong!!!