Bolivar Gold Medal (2008 – La Casa Del Habano Re-Release)

If you are a big fan of Cuban cigars, past and present. You need no introduction to the Bolivar Gold Label, those who are luckily enough to own a box from 92 or earlier are sat on a “gold” mine. They are probably one of the most sort after Vitolas. These cigars where produced from before the Cuban Revolution until 1992. Rumours have been circulating ever since, that the gold foil was hard to find. Funny that my local craft store sells the stuff. In 2008 the “Le Casa Del Habano” chain (stores worldwide), had a number of these produced. Originally exclusively for there stores, so when on Monday I got a leaflet offering the general trade these cigar, I got excited! Being a collector aswell as smoker, I had to get 2 boxes (RRP £136.20 for 10). One for aging and the other for the shop/me!

As many of you know Friday is smoking time at mine. After a faff getting in the house, my lock broke on the front door. So after more faffing, getting a lock smith, getting my landlord to give the go ahead, I was finally in the house. So glad I had a book to read on the windy street. To cut a long story short, I got a good whack (electric shock) of my computer. Didn’t feel like the full power of UK mains, but close enough to make my arm do a funky dance. When people arrived a hour or two later, I was ready for the Gold Medal!

Rolled in : Cuba
Wrapper : Cuban
Binder : Cuban
Filler : Cuban
Size: 6 1/2 ″ x 42

The cigar look amazing, the gold foil covers the top half of the cigar. Complete with the bands stuck to the foil, the foil slid off easily and I was already band less (yes im a believer of smoking without the band on). The wrapper looked very toothy/veiny, but felt a smooth as any Connecticut shade wrapper. The cigar had strong earthy smell to it, I was glad for the 2 years of age too. The cut was easy, this did however reveal (what looked like) a tight roll. The pre-light draw was a little firm, but seemed smoke-able. Lighting was easy, a few turns above a cedar match. Normally im not a fan of the first few draws, they tend to be hot and little bitter. But not this time! Toasted Hay with a earthy side of the starting line. The earthiness continued to develop as the first third began. An aromatic rose from the dry, hay start and this trend continued. Sweet beanie flavours sat lurking with the smoke, popping up every now and them to remind you they are still there. The peppery-ness I was expecting began to show up too, not in the intial draw, but on the aftertaste and pepper it was. My only complaint with this cigar so far, was the ash. It seemed to fall without warning and with such small amounts. The smoke was slow, but this isn’t a bad thing, more smoke for me not the room

The middle run of this big 6 ½” monster, saw the cigar burn a wee bit faster. The cigar seemed to pick up a little too, so far the first third had been light-medium, now more POWER! One thing I really enjoyed about the middle run was the vast contrast in Intake and exhale of the smoke. On the draw; A little flat, light, with dry grassy/hay flavours mixed with leather and cream. However on the exhale, PEPPER, sweet cedar and beans(coffee, cocoa etc) with more body and very complex. Even though the cigar had become stronger, it still wasn’t a strong as I was expecting. The final third saw the power, this is what I remember a Bolivar to smoke like. Still very smooth but a complex, beans, cedar, cream, leather, earth & pepper. All mixed together giving me a very, very enjoyable time. By this point, the nicotine count had become critical (:p). I was sat there with a glass Benromach Traditional, head swimming with nicotine and a complex array of flavours dancing on my taste buds. I did let this cigar go a little earlier than I had planned, getting late, tired and up early to open shop. At points the complexity, seemed too much. So much going off, it became a little difficult picking out the flavours. Like trying to steal someone’s wallet in a mosh pit.

Now that’s what I call a great cigar, such a complex smoke with so many flavours. Not a bitter as I remember a Bolivar being, I was put off them 5-6 years when I was new to cigars and tried one too soon. But now, oh im going to be smoking some more. Got a 97 Belicosos Fino at home cant wait for that now! The slow burn made for a long and enjoyable smoke, the ash was a pain the “ash” (excuse the bad pun). I ended up covered in ash, along with the floor. The vast contrast in flavours both inhaling and exhaling was outstanding. I am sold on these, maybe I should get another box for myself. Now these cigars are out for general sales, I would grab them up while you can!

Ratings
Construction .. 8/10
Burn .. 7/10
Flavour (1/3) .. 8/10
Flavour (2/3) .. 8/10
Flavour (3/3) .. 9/10
Overall .. 8/10

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