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Stogie Reviews: Bolivar Cofradia No. 554

28 Mar 2007

Sometimes you just know a cigar is going to be full-bodied as soon as you remove the cellophane. Sometimes just peeling back the clear plastic reveals instant aromas which hint at the powerful smoke that’s to come.

Such was the case with this five inch by 54 ring gauge Bolivar Cofradia No. 554. Before lighting, the Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos yielded heavy aromas of spice and earth.

I hadn’t even struck a match and I could see why General Cigar calls Bolivar “a heroic tradition all its own,” a bold tribute to “the great liberator.” As it turns out, Simón Bolívar – the brand’s namesake – was the leader of various independence movements in South America during the early 19th century.

But enough history. The stogie sports a dark, rich-looking Ecuador Sumatran wrapper with a few protruding veins. While the end of the leaf began to unpeel after I clipped the head with my double guillotine cutter, I was able to correct that over time with some trusty saliva.

Once I finally lit the smoke, I immediately noticed full flavors that reminded me of rye toast and clove. Very pleasing. And despite the heavy taste, I didn’t find the cigar too harsh (like Puros Indios).

I would have enjoyed the smoke even further, however, if the earthy flavors were balanced by some sweet tastes. But balance just isn’t in this cigar’s nature.

Aside from the aforementioned small problem with the wrapper, I incurred no construction flaws. An even burn was easily attained and maintained, and the draw was clear. Each puff produced a lot of smoke.

Overall, this cigar performed quite well – especially considering its friendly price of about $4 per stick. If you’re looking for a bold smoke with heavy earth flavors, give the Bolivar Cofradia No. 554 a try. It earns a decent three and ½ out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

Patrick A

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4 Responses to “Stogie Reviews: Bolivar Cofradia No. 554”

  1. Mac and Nudo Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 11:51 am #

    I also had problems with the wrapper unpeeling after the cut on the Cofradia line. Maybe this cigar is better suited for a punch.

  2. Freud's Distant Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 2:45 am #

    I realize this comment is a little late (Hell, this review was written almost a year ago as of this posting), but after having similar experiences, I agree a punch is the way to go with this stick. Then again, I think these are a full-bodied cigar lover's dream, so it doesn't bother me at all. Saves wear and tear on my cutters. 🙂

    I ended up liking these so much that I've replaced all my Henry Clay Rothchildes with these beauties (the oscuro ones) for my morning powerhouse smoke. Caveat Emptor, though. If you're used to mild cigars (and there's nothing wrong with that, since even I like to kick back with a Fonseca 7-9-9 EMS on occasion), these WILL knock you on your ass, so to speak.

  3. Chuck Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 11:02 pm #

    Hi ,

    I sell wooden cigar boxes at flee markets, festivals, eBay etc. I am always looking for good sources to buy from which is why I am contacting you. I sell my boxes on average for $4 each which means I can’t really pay more than $2 (including shipping). Perhaps you would consider selling to me after your auctions end with no bidders. I am not interested in paper covered boxes but as long they don’t make up more than half of a lot, I’m okay with them. I would be happy to buy hundreds of them. Please consider doing business with me and let me know if you’re interested. To help you figure out your shipping costs, my zip code is 47874.

    Best regards,

    Chuck

    chuck1062@yahoo.com

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