If you’ve tried a variety of cigars and are looking for something, that’s strong and bold, with distinct notes that will satisfy your palate, Bolivar cigars are just what you need to try. They pair best with a strong shot of coffee or a glass of whiskey, and they make for great evening cigars. In this article, you’ll see how they compare with a few other brands.
Bolivar cigars are carefully rolled cylinders of tobacco that are packed and rolled into skins of tobacco leaves. They differ from other commonly used cigar brands in that they are stronger and authentically Cuban in composition.
Bolivar cigars have certain consistent specifications like the usage of premium quality, vintage tobacco, and the practice of making each cigar from start to finish using superior quality techniques designed to offer each cigar the bold flavors that it is famous for. These cigars come in a variety of blends and flavors. They come in various shapes and sizes like corona, torpedo, cofradia, and double corona, among others.
Single cylinders of Bolivar cigars are generally priced below $8. They also come in packs or boxes of around 10 to 20 cigars each. You can get a good deal by opting for these packs or boxes because it has the overall effect of reducing the price of an individual unit. These smokes can be purchased from a number online retailers that stock the different variants of Bolivar cigars.
We picked the following similar products available on the market to see how Bolivar cigars compare.
Named after the South American revolutionary, Simon Bolivar, the earliest Bolivar cigars date back to 1901. Since then, these cigars, which are identified by their trademark boldness and smoothness, have been a favorite among people who prefer premium quality cigars that do not hold back when it comes to body and strength.
Bolivar refers to the names of two premium brands of cigars. One of these is produced in the island of Cuba by Habanos SA, which is a tobacco company owned by the state of Cuba. The other manufacturer is the General Cigar Company, which produces Bolivar cigars in the Dominican Republic. These cigars are manufactured using Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco. The General Cigar Company is now a subsidiary of the Scandinavian Tobacco Group.
The price of Bolivar cigars can range from around $5 to around $8 depending on various factors like the kind of wrapper used to contain the tobacco, the strength of the cigar, the length and width of each unit, and the flavor. Bolivar cigars that come in packs of several units are more expensive than single Bolivar cigars. However, buying them in bulk has the advantage of reducing the unit price of single Bolivar cigars.
Depending on the brand of Bolivar cigars, whether from Cuba or the Dominican Republic, the taste can vary. Some of the tastes that users of Bolivar cigars commonly experience are spicy, bitter, woody, leathery, or even earthy. Some rare variants of Bolivar cigars also include sweeter or vegetal notes in the undertones of their regular flavors. The most commonly experienced sensations when smoking Bolivar cigars are a strong burn followed by a vague bitterness.
Bolivar cigars are the perfect examples of premium quality smokes that have been around for over a century. The seams in the wrapper are tight and neat, and the pack feels firm and durable. The construction is so good that these cigars can last in very good shape for as long as 18 to 24 months. All of these factors come together to make Bolivar cigars one of the best of their kind when it comes to quality.
Typically, Cuban Bolivar cigars are dense and extremely full-bodied. They are among the strongest cigars produced around the world. Its powerful blend is best enjoyed by veterans. The Dominican version, when it was first manufactured, was much milder and medium-bodied when compared with the original Cuban brand of Bolivar cigars. However, after a reformulation in 2005, the Dominican Bolivar’s blend was adjusted to be more full-bodied.
- Fuller body that gives a stronger flavor than most other brands
- Premium quality cigars that come with a durable construction
- Available in several flavors and tastes
- May not be suitable for beginners and for people who prefer a lighter flavor
- Creamy smoke in certain varieties may not be preferred by everyone
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Crafted by Litto Gomez, the La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull is an intriguing cigar with no Cuban heritage or passed-down traditions. Unlike Bolivar cigars, the Andalusian Bulls came out very recently, during the summer of 2016 to be precise. What makes the cigar unique is the fact that the mold for it was procured from Belgium, which lends it its distinct shape. Despite being a recent creation, the cigar was awarded the ‘No. 1 cigar of 2016’ by Cigar Aficionados.
La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull is manufactured by Tabacalera La Flor S.A., which is based out of the Dominican Republic. The manufacturing company, as well as the brand of cigar, is owned by the master-blender Litto Gomez, who incidentally is also the mastermind behind the cigar. These cigars use strong Dominican tobacco such as the Criollo ’98 and the Pelo d’Oro in their construction.
Unlike Bolivar Cigars, the price of La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull cigars is pretty expensive at around $15 a piece. La Flor Dominicana is widely known for its limited production of cigars, making the Andalusian Bull comparatively harder to get. These cigars come either in packs of 5 or 10.
Right from the time you light it up, the Andalusian Bull cigars introduce multiple flavors. The cigars exude savory notes of hickory, leather, and a tinge of milk chocolate. As you gradually progress through the cigar, you can experience hints of sweet spices such as saffron and cumin with the slight tanginess of citrus.
These cigars, with their impressive appearance and their old-school shape, clearly show that they’ve been crafted meticulously. Due to their distinct torpedo shape, the foot of the cigars is their thickest parts. The usage of Corojo-seed Ecuador Habano wrappers make the quality and finesse of the Andalusian Bull cigars top-notch.
La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull cigars are quite different from Bolivar cigars, owing to the difference in their bodies. The Andalusian Bull is sometimes misrepresented as a full-bodied cigar, while it actually hovers around a light to medium-body. The blend is both bold and refined, making it a versatile cigar that can be equally appreciated by experts and beginners alike.
- Smokes well and takes a long time to finish
- Cigar draw is smooth and burns evenly
- Perfect cigar for occasional smokers and beginners
- Availability is pretty limited, making these cigars very hard to get a hold of
- May not be favored by people who prefer a harsh and robust flavor
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The Partagas Serie E No. 2 was released at the XIII Habanos Festival in Cuba, which took place in the month of February 2011. The Cuban origin of the cigar is evident in the fact that it uses wrappers, binders, and fillers, all from the Cuban region. The tobacco filler is completely sourced from the Vuelta Abajo region in Cuba. The Serie E No. 2, with its 54-ring gauge, is the thickest Partagas from the stable of Habanos till date.
The Partagas Serie E No. 2 is manufactured in Cuba by Habanos SA, the state-owned tobacco company. The cigar is manufactured only in the Robusto Extra size and is presented in two different Semi Boite Nature (SBN) boxes: a box of 5 and a box of 25.
The Partagas Serie E No. 2 might seem expensive when compared to the Bolivar cigars, but they justify their price of around $15 a piece, going by the size and heft. You can get a better deal by opting for a box of 5 or a box of 25 cigars as it reduces the price of an individual unit.
The Serie E No. 2 can be easily recognized by its rich and intense flavor. The foot of the cigar has a complex combination of wood, leather, and earthy tones giving it a sort of a barnyard theme. The middle third of the cigar introduces a blend of sweetness, nuttiness, and a creamy texture. The final third is where the cigar shines as it exudes sweetness comparable to honey with a hint of spice balancing it out.
Although the cigar is hefty, it doesn’t feel that way when you hold it up. The wrapping is tight and even, and there are no hard or soft spots. The seam is noticeable throughout the cigar, but aside from that, the construction is impeccable.
While Bolivar cigars are entirely bold and strong, the Serie E No. 2 is medium to full-bodied, with a strong but a less overwhelming draw. The strength is consistent with no sharp highs or lows.
- Simple, yet flawless construction
- An exciting flavor profile that offers something for everyone
- Cigar lasts long with a burn time of around 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Can be more expensive than other similar makes
- Might need some touch-ups to the burn line
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Another gem from the master cigar maker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, the E.P. Carrillo Seleccion Oscuro Piramides Royal takes the best from different regions and blends it together to produce a stunning character. By creatively blending a wrapper from Mexico, a binder from Ecuador, and a tobacco filler from Nicaragua, Carrillo managed to create a dark yet non-imposing cigar.
The E.P. Carrillo Seleccion Oscuro Piramides Royal is manufactured by Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. owned by Mr. Carrillo himself. The manufacturing facility is based out of the Dominican Republic and produces the cigars in a 52-gauge torpedo-shape.
The price of these cigars can range from around $8 to $9 a piece. However, buying them in bulk such as a box of 24 has the advantage of reducing the unit price of single E.P. Carrillo Seleccion Oscuro Piramides Royal cigars.
The entire cigar is full of undertones of dried fruit, chocolate, black pepper, and wood. The taste starts off on a medium note and slowly progresses to full strength by the time you reach the second third of the cigar. The flavors are lush, yet well balanced throughout, with no inconsistencies.
The quality is exactly what one would expect from the famed E.P. Carrillo’s portfolio of cigars. An expertly rolled cigar, it feels firm on the hand with the right amount of dryness to the dark wrapper. The draw is a little tight initially which slowly eases out as you progress along the cigar.
Similar to Serie E No. 2, the E.P. Carrillo Seleccion Oscuro Piramides Royal is medium to full-bodied with a balanced and adequate draw. The cigar starts off with a medium strength and moves on to medium to full strength in the second third.
- Perfectly blended cigar with smooth smoke
- Burns evenly and steadily without any need to touch up the burn line
- Unavailability of purely mild versions make it unsuitable for beginners
- Burns pretty quickly, lasting only for about 75 minutes
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E.P. Carrillo Seleccion Oscuro Piramides Royal |
full of undertones of dried fruit, chocolate, black pepper, and wood. |
An expertly rolled cigar, it feels firm on the hand with the right amount of dryness to the dark wrapper. |
E.P. Carrillo Seleccion Oscuro Piramides Royal cigars can range from around $8 to $9 a piece |
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La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull |
savory notes of hickory, leather, and a tinge of milk chocolate. |
Due to their distinct torpedo shape, the foot of the cigars is their thickest parts. The usage of Corojo-seed Ecuador Habano wrappers make the quality and finesse of the Andalusian Bull cigars top-notch. |
La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull cigars is pretty expensive at around $15 a piece |
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spicy, bitter, woody, leathery, or even earthy. |
The seams in the wrapper are tight and neat, and the pack feels firm and durable. The construction is so good that these cigars can last in very good shape for as long as 18 to 24 months. |
Bolivar cigars can range from around $5 to around $8 |
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combination of wood, leather, and earthy tones. introduces a blend of sweetness, nuttiness, and a creamy texture. exudes sweetness comparable to honey with a hint of spice balancing it out |
The wrapping is tight and even, and there are no hard or soft spots. The seam is noticeable throughout the cigar, but aside from that, the construction is impeccable. |
Bolivar cigars cost around $15 a piece |
In comparison with the brands considered above, it appears like Bolivar cigars warrant a rating of 4 stars on a scale of 5, with 5 being the highest. This is because they are full-bodied and strong and flaunt a construction that is superior to many other brands. Being the essence of the authentic Cuban cigar, Bolivar cigars are preferred by most seasoned cigar enthusiasts.