Bolivar Gold Medal

Description

How often do you find a cigar that wraps half its body in gold foil and actually has the muscle to back up the flashy presentation? The Bolivar Gold Medal is a cigar that demands your attention before you even cut the cap, gleaming in the box with a presentation that feels like a throwback to a different era of Havana. This isn’t the skinny Cervantes format you might remember from decades past; this is the revitalized Partagas 15 vitola, bringing a thicker ring gauge to the table while trying to capture that legendary full-bodied intensity the brand is famous for.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: lighting this stick takes a moment due to the density of the tobacco, but once it catches, you get an immediate blast of damp earth and black pepper. The draw on this 48 ring gauge is usually spot-on, offering just enough resistance to keep the burn cool. Early on, the smoke is thick and chewy, coating the palate with a sensation that feels like raw hazelnuts and heavy soil. There is a sharp, fruity tang in the background, reminding you of dried figs or perhaps the skin of a dark plum, which helps cut through the darker, grittier earth tones that dominate the opening puffs.

Mid-Section: As you smoke down toward the gold foil, the profile shifts from sharp fruitiness to a deeper, roasted character. The earthiness remains constant, but now it is joined by strong notes of espresso beans and worn leather. The strength starts to creep up on you here, moving distinctly into the medium-full territory. You might pick up a savory, mineral quality on the lips, almost like sea salt, which balances out the heavy roasted flavors. The ash tends to hold on well, dark grey and solid, proving the construction quality coming out of the Partagas factory is high.

Final Third: When you finally peel back that gold foil to tackle the last section, the Bolivar really shows its teeth. The flavors condense into a potent mix of charred wood, peat, and pure tobacco muscle. Any earlier sweetness fades away, replaced by an intense, spicy finish that tingles on the tongue. It gets hot and heavy near the nub, delivering a nicotine kick that will sit you down if you aren’t prepared for it. This is a robust finish that doesn’t apologize for its power, leaving a long, savory aftertaste that sticks around for an hour after you are done.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind Bolivar

Named after Simon Bolivar, the revolutionary who liberated much of South America from Spanish rule, this brand has been a staple of power since 1902. It is fitting that a brand named after such a powerful historical figure produces some of the strongest cigars to come out of Cuba. While the original Gold Medal was a skinnier Lonsdale style that vanished in 2011, this new iteration arrived as a La Casa del Habano exclusive, beefing up the size to meet modern preferences while keeping the iconic foil packaging that makes it instantly recognizable in any humidor.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Ron Zacapa 23 – The deep molasses sweetness and viscosity of this Guatemalan rum provide a necessary cushion against the gritty earthiness of the cigar.
• Whiskey: Highland Park 18 – The subtle heathery peat and honey in the scotch link up perfectly with the leather and charred wood notes in the final third of the smoke.
• Coffee: Vietnamese ca phe – The intense strength of the robusta beans and the sweetness of the condensed milk stand up to the cigar’s power without getting washed out.

Ideal For

This is strictly for the experienced smoker who enjoys a heavy, substantial profile. It is the perfect choice for late in the evening after a rich steak dinner, when your palate is ready for something with serious weight. Beginners might find the nicotine punch and dark flavors a bit overwhelming, so save this for when you want to sit down, disconnect, and tackle a serious tobacco experience.