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Cigars/Bolivar

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Expert: - 10/30/2009


Question
Hi James, can you tell me what you thing of the Bolivar cigars? I know that the Belicos Fino is very good, rich smoke and full bodied but I can't find them in my local LCDH so please tell me something about other vitolas.

Thanks for your time

Answer
Hi Daniel,

Bolivar is an excellent cigar brand. It's a medium-to-full bodied cigar and the cigars age incredibly well.  As you mentioned, the Belicoso Finos is a fantastic cigar but I also recommend the Royal Coronas, Corona Gigante and Gold Medal.  If you can find the Bonitas and Immensa, I recommend you try them as well.  Both are discontinued now but you may still find them in stores.

If you want to age Bolivar cigars, choose ones that have a dark and oily wrapper leaf as they age and taste the best.  (Some of the best Cuban cigars that I have ever smoked are dark and oily Bolivar cigars.)

Hopes this helps!  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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