Here's one for all you folks out there who don't think there are enough mediocre non-cuban versions of cuban cigars. Bolivar has been revamped, label and all, to appeal to the powerhouse smokers. The wrapper is Honduran San Augustin Ligero probably from the same farm as the Partagas spanish rosado leaf. The binder is medio tiempo, the same as on the partagas black. The filler is dominican and nicaraguan. This should be quite a different cigar than the honduran bolivar fuerte, which is ironically the best non-cuban boli.

Appearance and construction 11/15
I don't think I have seen too many cigars rolled with ligero. The leaf is thick, dark, coarse, and oily with minimal veins and a nice tooth. Its kinda brittle and appears to be trying to flee in certain spots. It must know its about to be burned. The roll is even with an average fill. The appearance reminds me a bit of the spanish rosado, you know, rough, primitive, and sloppy. The band is completely redesigned too. Its a bit more flamboyant than the old boli labels although now devoid of simon's mug. Trying to find something nice to say about this all I can think of is, at least they didn't subscribe to the fuente notion that the more gold filigree you can pack in a band the better. Those of you who have seen the casa fuente bands will know what I'm saying. This one is nice but not particularly eye-catching. The boxes are burgundy now but still pretty similar to the cuban version. If prelight aroma and draw are any indicator this is going to be a strong stick. It has a sharp youthful aroma. The cap clipped rather clumsily due to its incredible thickness. I'm kinda put off already and I haven't even put flame to the foot yet.

Flavor 3/25

Well its not good. The flavor hits you from the first draw. There is nothing subtle about it but I guess that is the point. The flavor is very sweet and maduro-ey but the finish tastes grassy and vegetal with the occasional hint of mud. With regard to the finish it is spot on the spanish rosado. The core flavors are a bit different but the young grassy muddy quality verifies in my mind that this is indeed the same tobacco from san agustin. There is little depth or complexity. The finish is static. Overall its very one dimensional and boring. There is no earth, no spice, no cream, no espresso. There isn't even a cocoa. All I taste is sweet sugar(maybe a bit like carob) and a grassy finish. This cigar makes me want to gargle with listerine. This cigar is sorely lacking in a bitter or earthy component to balance the flavor out. Even a bit of spice would be nice.

Smoking characteristics 23/25
Smoked pretty well. The burn was a hair off. The smoke volume was ample. The strength is nothing close to powerhouse.

Overall 16/33
I usually don't condemn a cigar the first go-round but I just don't see any potential here. The flavor is just waaay off balance toward the sweet end. If the flavors were muted it would be one thing. I understand that flavors can and do develop over time. But in this case they are here in quantity, just horrendously bad. I may revisit this in 6 months, as usual, to see how its coming along. For now IMO this cigar is crap. After smoking it I quickly realized that they changed the band so simon bolivar doesn't come back from the dead and sue them for using his likeness on such a turd. This one gets my vote for dog rocket of the year.

But far be it from me to discourage you, after all, cigar smoking is about Personal Preference as someone recently pointed out. So go right ahead and try it for yourself. I would love to hear what others think of it. Meanwhile, I will be busy trying to put the experience behind me.

nice to know. ill probably end up trying it out myself, just to see what i think, but you are usually right on the money with your reviews, except for your CAO Opinions (joking bud)

I've been waiting to burn the one I got from my local. I think tomorrow night I'll give this a try. I guess I'll have to have something else ready.

I tried one of these about a week or so ago, and you're pretty well on the money PMP.....and delivered in you own inimitable style.

I couldn't believe this was a "Premium" cigar (let alone a Bolivar). I've smoked better FDO Maduros for 1/4 the price.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rbihari,

holy crap! a 3 for flavor?? damn, pmp, i'm scared to smoke the one i picked up...

Do it spizzy. Spark it up. Or better yet, run in through a paper shredder and toss it in a blast furnace. Thanks for the props fellas. All I can think about as I reread this review this morning is, What did I expect a 'powerhouse' from the makers of Macanoodles to taste like?

I purchased two toros, dont know who I'll drop the other one on.

What do you expect from the makers of the Explosive, Powerful Diable that aint $hit.

PMP, I swear to God that the wrapper was coated with wax or something. When ever I drawed on it and got a bit of saliva on the cigar it would bead up and it was just too freaking shiny. That cigars wrapper just wasnt right and it wasnt the blow you away powerhouse they claim it to be.

Those Diablos are effin nasty. That's why they were a part of my Halloween Trick or Treat.

wow i've heard some good things about these from some other guy's...i've got a couple waiting to be sparked, and now i feel bad about sending Rhino one in the last Rat's trade...but i'll smoke mine and hope for the best, i hope you just got a bad stick....

There is definately a waxy feeling to this wrapper but I wouldn't say that mine is falling apart. The clip on it was very smooth. The flavor description is right on. Pmp was yours waxy feeling.

Not exactly waxy. It was very unnatural though. Felt kinda plastic-like. I think stogie was using the waxy descriptor to describe the way water beads up and rolls off it like a freshly waxed car.

I think there's no telling what Stogie waxes!

Killer review PMP. I was really looking forward to trying these, but I should have known it was going to suck as bad or worse than those Partagas Spanish Rosados (my vote for worst stick of the year 2004). Thanks for subjecting your palate to the noxious experience on behalf of your brethren.

I picked up a couple of these two weeks ago at the local B&M and lit one up yesterday at work.

PMP is right on the money, this cigar is crap. I'd rather have a Punch Gran Puro any day for flavor. If it ain't a Cuban Bolivar, it ain't a Bolivar...I'm sorry

Mike

Thanks fellas. Glad to see I'm not alone Blue.

That's too bad. I had been interested in giving this cigar a try. I might go pick one up just to see for myself.

Pmp, thanks for the detailed, honest review. No wonder they were giving them away in the nationwide promotion. And to think I felt left out of that one since I didn't find a B&M close to me.

I liked the old Bolivar Fuerte which I guess they're calling Cofradia now. Can get those even cheaper now that they're closeouts?

Cuban Bolivars ain't that much money. They are strong just like Simon.