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Stogie Reviews: Bolivar Toro

22 May 2008

“Bold yet noble” says General Cigar, maker of the non-Cuban version of Bolivar. Well, it’s definitely bold.

This particular blend is composed of a San Andreas ligero wrapper from Honduras, a Havano medio tiempo binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Unlike the more familiar Cofradia line from Honduras, this Bolivar is Dominican-made and was just released in 2005.

The six inch by 52 ring gauge Toro is lumpy, relatively dry, and moderately veiny. A quick inspection reveals a few soft spots, the pre-light draw is on the tight side, and the wrapper leaves some sweet tingle on the lips. And for the cost? It’s very reasonable: JR sells boxes of 25 for under $80 and five-packs for $18.

That price is supposed to get you a fuller experience than Cofradia, a line that’s no slouch in the flavor department itself. It does. Unsurprisingly, especially given the type of wrapper leaf, it starts with a big salty taste. The dominant flavor from there on out is of cedar and roasted coffee beans, and the finish is dry.

That’s why I recommend you keep a cool drink close by to even things out (let me suggest dark rum and Diet Coke with lime). Trust me. The sweetness of a molasses-based alcoholic drink will help counter the cigar’s overwhelming, mouth-coating taste – especially as a black pepper bitterness increases in the final third.

A remarkable feature of the Bolivar Toro is how much smoke it produces, even when left resting in the ashtray. The other physical properties are less than astonishing. The burn requires occasional maintenance to stay even, and the ash is slightly flaky and unstable.

Still, for the bargain price, this isn’t a bad two-hour cigar, particularly if you’re into full-bodied sticks with bite. While many will find the dense volume of smoke and the salty aftertaste to be off-putting, I think this makes a pretty decent golf course companion (if you have a drink on hand). That’s why I give the Bolivar Toro three out of five stogies.

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

Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One Response to “Stogie Reviews: Bolivar Toro”

  1. Roxanne Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 1:49 pm #

    Never had this new line of Bolivars, but I was curious. I liked the Cofradias a lot. Sounds like this one isn't up my alley, though.