Pre-light Experience

The Bolivar Gran Republica Robusto comes in cellophane and does not have a UPC sticker. The cigar is double banded with a primary Bolivar band and a secondary white on black Gran Republica band. I weighed the cigar at 12.1 grams and the humidity, as measured by a HumidiMeter Pro, was 73.2%. The only aromas from the wrapper included sweetness and faint wood. From the foot, all I could distinguish was faint hay.

First Third

The first third opens with sweet, creamy tobacco and a mild wood on the finish. A bread quality is defining the center of the retrohale. That profile remains consistent to the halfway point. By the halfway point, a vegetal note is coming through the finish at light to light plus strength levels. Light spices move into the retrohale and slowly move up in intensity.

Second Third

Creamy spices start the second third, with bread just under the surface. Spices and wood combine into the post draw to linger somewhat on the palate. Hay joins the end of the draw as the second third continues. The spices move up to medium strength at times through the bottom half of the third.

Final Third

Creamy hay greets me in the last third, with dry hay on the finish. Hay on the post draw moves up to medium strength as the last third progresses. The profile evolves to become largely wood and hay forward with some baking spices at light plus, providing an accent through the retrohale.

Burn

The burn was straight through the entire review.

Draw

The draw was somewhat into the resistant spectrum, roughly 2 to 2-1/2 notches.

Overall

The Bolivar Gran Republica Robusto was a pleasant cigar to review, with some complex combinations of flavors through the first third. The remainder of the cigar was still pleasant but a little simple overall in the flavor presentation. The burn was perfect while the draw was somewhat into the resistant spectrum. I don’t think there was enough flavor delivery here to make me seek this out again, however the price point is very attractive so I could see recommending this to cigar smokers in the below medium strength category. I also would smoke this cigar again if I had one. Total smoking time was 1 hour and 42 minutes.

John McTavish

SCORE

5.80

Cost/Point

$1.38

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Bolivar Gran Republica Robusto