Description
Why the Gold Medal Never Got the Hype It Deserves
I’ll be honest: the Bolivar Gold Medal is one of those cigars that never quite got its moment in the spotlight. And I genuinely don’t understand why. Thing is, while everyone’s chasing after the latest limited releases and scrambling through every IPCPR announcement, this classic vitola sits quietly in humidors, delivering one of the most satisfying smoking experiences in the entire Bolivar lineup. I picked up my first Gold Medal at an LCDH in St. Kitts back in – was it 2007? Maybe 2008. Doesn’t really matter. What matters is that first retrohale completely changed how I thought about what a Cuban petit corona could be.
The Gold Medal doesn’t scream for attention like some cigars do. It’s not showing up on every release list or getting breathless reviews in the forums. But here’s what it does do: it delivers that unmistakable Bolivar power in a format that actually gives you time to appreciate the complexity without blocking out your entire afternoon. If you’re reading this, you probably already know that Bolivar isn’t messing around when it comes to strength and flavor. This vitola just packages all that intensity in a way that makes sense.
The Bolivar DNA Runs Deep
Bolivar’s been around since 1902, and they’ve never been about subtlety. This is the brand you reach for when you want full-bodied Cuban tobacco that reminds you why Vuelta Abajo leaf is legendary in the first place. Simon Bolivar – the South American liberator they named the brand after – was all about bold action and no compromise. Same energy with these cigars, no joke.
The Gold Medal specifically occupies this interesting middle ground in the portfolio. You’ve got cigar smokers who worship the Royal Corona. Fair enough – that’s a fantastic smoke. But the Gold Medal? It’s got a similar ring gauge with just enough extra length to let the flavors really develop through all three thirds. The wrapper on these comes from the finest Vuelta Abajo tobacco, and when you’re holding one fresh from a properly maintained humidor, you can feel the quality. That slight oiliness to the leaf. The even give when you press gently along the body.
This isn’t a beginner’s cigar – let me be clear about that. If you’re still working your way through Connecticut shade wrappers, bookmark this for later. The Gold Medal is for when you’ve smoked enough Cubans to appreciate what full flavor actually means without the rough edges. It’s for that aficionado who’s checked off the usual suspects from Cuba and wants something that delivers power with actual finesse.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Gold Medal |
| Length | 6.5 inches / 165 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 42 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Blend |
| Strength | Full |
| Smoking Time | 75-90 minutes |
What Happens When You Actually Light One Up
The cold draw already tells you this is going to be serious business. There’s this concentrated earthiness – not dirty, just deep and fundamental – mixed with something darker. Almost like cocoa nibs before they’re sweetened. Maybe a hint of black coffee grounds. You’re getting a preview of the ride ahead.
First third comes at you with leather and earth up front. That’s classic Bolivar territory right there. But wait about ten minutes in – there’s this wood note that develops. It’s not generic cedar like you see mentioned in every cigar review ever written. It’s more like the smell of a Cuban furniture workshop I wandered into near Pinar del Río one afternoon. Aged hardwood mixed with tobacco barns nearby. The strength is present from the start, but it builds gradually rather than punching you in the face. The construction on a well-kept Gold Medal is typically excellent – even burn line, firm white ash that holds for a good inch before dropping.
Second third is where things get interesting. The leather note that started out dominant starts sharing space with these darker flavors. There’s espresso showing up. Some black pepper on the retrohale that wasn’t really there before. And – this is going to sound weird, but stick with me – there’s almost a mineral quality. Like wet stones after rain. Sounds strange, tastes incredible. The smoke output is generous without being overwhelming. You’re getting full, chewy mouthfuls of flavor that coat your palate. This middle section is where I usually pause and just appreciate what Habanos S.A. does when they get it right.
Final third: this is where lighter cigars often fall apart or get bitter. Not the Gold Medal. The strength definitely ramps up – you’re solidly in full-bodied territory now – but it stays balanced. The earth and leather come back stronger. There’s some dark chocolate bitterness, but it’s pleasant. Like 85% cacao, not burnt coffee. The retrohale in this section can be intense, I’m not going to lie. But if you can handle it, you’re getting waves of spice and tobacco essence that remind you exactly why Cuban cigars built their reputation. I usually smoke these down to the nub because the flavor stays interesting right to the end. The last inch is all about concentrated tobacco intensity without harsh edges, assuming you haven’t been puffing like a freight train and overheating it.
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivar Gold Medal | Full | 75-90 minutes | Evening smoke when you want power with complexity |
| Bolivar Royal Corona | Full | 50-65 minutes | Shorter sessions needing full flavor |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Medium-Full | 50-70 minutes | Classic Cuban experience with less length |
What You’re Drinking With This
Coffee’s the obvious pairing, and honestly, it works beautifully. I’m talking strong espresso or a Cuban coffee if you can get your hands on good beans. The bitterness cuts through the cigar’s earthiness in a way that highlights both. But my favorite pairing? Aged rum. Specifically something like Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. The sweetness from the rum provides this counterpoint to the cigar’s intensity without fighting it. You get these moments where the leather and wood from the Gold Medal meet the vanilla and caramel notes in the rum, and everything just clicks.
Whisky people will tell you to reach for an Islay scotch, and yeah, a peaty Laphroaig or Ardbeg can work if you want to double down on intensity. Personally, I think that’s overkill. You’re smoking a flavor bomb already – why overwhelm your palate? A smooth bourbon like Blanton’s or even a cognac gives you enough backbone without competing for attention.
Occasion-wise? This is an evening cigar, full stop. After dinner when you’ve got nowhere to be and nothing pressing on your mind. Maybe during a poker game that’s winding down. Or sitting on a patio when the sun’s finally gone down and the temperature’s dropped. It’s not a golf course cigar or something you light up during lunch. The Gold Medal demands your attention and rewards you for giving it.
How does the Bolivar Gold Medal compare to other vitolas in the Bolivar line?
The Gold Medal sits in the middle ground between the shorter Royal Corona and longer formats like the Inmensas. It gives you that classic Bolivar power but with more time to appreciate how the flavors develop across the three thirds. If you like the brand’s intensity but want something that lasts beyond an hour, this is your vitola. I’d say it’s actually more complex than some of the shorter formats because the longer length lets the tobacco blend really express itself.
What’s the ideal aging time for a Gold Medal?
They’re smokeable relatively young – within a year of release – but honestly, they’re better with at least three to five years on them. I’ve got some from 2015 that are smoking absolutely beautifully right now. The rough edges smooth out, and you get more of those subtle wood and chocolate notes coming forward. That said, I’ve also smoked them fresh and enjoyed them. It depends on whether you prefer raw power or refined complexity. Both have their place.
Is the Gold Medal too strong for someone relatively new to Cuban cigars?
I’m probably biased here, but I’d say yes, it’s probably too much if you’re just starting your Cuban journey. Work your way up through some medium-bodied options first – maybe a Montecristo No. 4 or a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2. Get comfortable with that Cuban flavor profile and strength level. Then come back to the Gold Medal when you’re ready for full-bodied intensity. You’ll appreciate it more with some experience under your belt.
How should I store these to maintain optimal condition?
Standard Cuban cigar storage applies – keep them at 65-68% humidity and around 65-68°F if you can. The Gold Medal’s ring gauge isn’t too thick, so they’re not as finicky as some larger formats, but you still want consistent conditions. I keep mine in a separate section of my humidor away from non-Cubans because I’m paranoid about cross-contamination of flavors. Probably unnecessary, but that’s just me. Let them rest for at least a month after you get them before smoking if they’ve been shipped.
Why don’t I see the Gold Medal mentioned in more reviews and forums?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I think it’s partly because it’s not a flashy limited release or LCDH exclusive. It’s just a regular production vitola that doesn’t get the hype. The cigar community has this tendency to chase whatever’s new or rare, and the Gold Medal is neither. It’s been around forever and it’s available if you know where to look. But that doesn’t make it any less excellent – just overlooked. Sometimes the best cigars are the ones not generating buzz on every release list.
What’s the best time of day to smoke a Gold Medal?
Evening, no question. This isn’t a morning cigar unless you want nicotine overload before lunch. I usually reach for mine after dinner, typically around 8 or 9 PM when I’ve got a clear 90 minutes with no interruptions. The strength and smoking time make it an end-of-day smoke when you can really settle in and focus on what you’re tasting. Weekend afternoons can work too if you’ve had a substantial meal first.
Are there any specific LCDH releases or special editions of the Gold Medal?
Not that I’m aware of, and honestly, I don’t think this vitola needs it. The regular production version is already excellent. I know LCDHs like the one in St. Kitts carry them regularly, and sometimes you’ll see them pop up at Casa del Habano locations in Cuba itself. But there hasn’t been a special Gold Medal edition that I’ve come across. The standard release does the job just fine without needing limited edition treatment.
Final Take on the Gold Medal
This is one of those cigars that rewards you for giving it a chance. It’s not going to show up on every IPCPR release list or generate thousands of reviews online. But if you’re serious about Cuban cigars and you want something that delivers authentic Bolivar character with enough length to really appreciate the complexity, the Gold Medal needs to be in your rotation. I keep a box aging in my humidor at all times because I know when I reach for one, I’m getting a consistently excellent smoke that punches well above its profile in the community.
Stop chasing the hype. Smoke what’s actually great. The Bolivar Gold Medal is calling – time to answer.
