I have often heard that the Cuban Rollers create their magic with the larger ring vitolas however my experience tells me that the smaller rings are usually the flavor powerhouses. Bolivar and Partagas are my fav CC lines and although I go bonkers for the robustos in both lines, I feel the lonsdales give the more prototypical flavor that each brand is known for.
I got my hands on a box of Bolivar Inmensas March 07. When I lifted the lid of the box it was like walking through the door of Willie Wonka's Factory ... the not so subtle chocolate aromas made the hairs on my neck stand at attention. I couldn't stop opening the box and taking a HUGE whiff. My wife kept looking at me like i was crazy.
In an incredible display of discipline, I put the little lovelies asleep for 6 month and tried the first of the batch last night. After looking around I choose the darkest of the bottom layer and made a surgical percision cut. Even after 6 months, the overwhelming chocolate themes still remained. The pre light draw what a bit tight. I toasted the lady and took my first draw. I only way I can describe it is that somebody loaded a musket with cashews, dark cocoa, pepper, sumatra coffee and nutmeg , placed the barrel in my mouth and blasted that poupouri of flavors into my mouth. INCREDIBLE .
Now, the patience factor kicks in. I duly waited 60 seconds between puffs. My concern of a tight draw was unwarranted. She smoked like a dream. The first third of the Boli was kinda similar to the first puff. As she burned towards the middle the sweetness factor began to fade and the pepper and dark coffee tones began to dominate. Being a bit of a sneaky little beast, the Inmensa slowly began to change themes as I approached the final third. The chocolate and nutmeg started to creep back into the picture but the cashew flavors so dominate upon lighting were nowhere to be found. I must have got a little excited because tar started to accumulate... at about the 3" mark I put her down , all the fault of my carelessness ( eagarness).
What a great smoke. I think 3-4 years in solitary confinement will turn these Bolivars into classics. There is nothing revolutionary here ... just 100% pure Bolivar flavor. As much as I love the Royal Coronas and the Corona Gigantes, I'd have to cast my vote to the Inmensa for the Boli Hall of fame.
I got my hands on a box of Bolivar Inmensas March 07. When I lifted the lid of the box it was like walking through the door of Willie Wonka's Factory ... the not so subtle chocolate aromas made the hairs on my neck stand at attention. I couldn't stop opening the box and taking a HUGE whiff. My wife kept looking at me like i was crazy.
In an incredible display of discipline, I put the little lovelies asleep for 6 month and tried the first of the batch last night. After looking around I choose the darkest of the bottom layer and made a surgical percision cut. Even after 6 months, the overwhelming chocolate themes still remained. The pre light draw what a bit tight. I toasted the lady and took my first draw. I only way I can describe it is that somebody loaded a musket with cashews, dark cocoa, pepper, sumatra coffee and nutmeg , placed the barrel in my mouth and blasted that poupouri of flavors into my mouth. INCREDIBLE .
Now, the patience factor kicks in. I duly waited 60 seconds between puffs. My concern of a tight draw was unwarranted. She smoked like a dream. The first third of the Boli was kinda similar to the first puff. As she burned towards the middle the sweetness factor began to fade and the pepper and dark coffee tones began to dominate. Being a bit of a sneaky little beast, the Inmensa slowly began to change themes as I approached the final third. The chocolate and nutmeg started to creep back into the picture but the cashew flavors so dominate upon lighting were nowhere to be found. I must have got a little excited because tar started to accumulate... at about the 3" mark I put her down , all the fault of my carelessness ( eagarness).
What a great smoke. I think 3-4 years in solitary confinement will turn these Bolivars into classics. There is nothing revolutionary here ... just 100% pure Bolivar flavor. As much as I love the Royal Coronas and the Corona Gigantes, I'd have to cast my vote to the Inmensa for the Boli Hall of fame.
