Description
When Power Meets Precision: The Bolivar Royal Corona Story
Look, I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’96, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Bolivar doesn’t do subtle. The Royal Corona, though? Here’s the thing – it’s where the marca’s legendary strength meets something approaching finesse. Not that it’s mild by any stretch – we’re still talking Bolivar here – but this vitola shows what happens when you take that powerful Vuelta Abajo tobacco and roll it into a format that actually lets you taste the complexity underneath all that punch.
In this deep dive, I’m going to walk you through everything that makes the Bolivar Royal Corona one of the most underrated smokes in the Habanos portfolio. We’ll talk about the flavor evolution from first light to final puff, how it stacks up against other powerhouse cigars, and – real talk – whether it deserves a spot in your humidor. I’m probably biased because I’ve got a soft spot for the Robusto format, but hear me out.
The Royal Corona: Bolivar’s Not-So-Secret Weapon
Bolivar as a brand has always been about one thing: strength. Founded way back in 1902 and named after the South American revolutionary Simón Bolívar, this marca built its reputation on full-bodied, no-apologies Cuban cigars that hit you like – well, like a revolution. Thing is, for decades Bolivar was almost too focused on power, sometimes at the expense of nuance.
The Royal Corona changed that conversation. Introduced as part of the standard lineup, this 124mm (4.9 inches) by 50 ring gauge Robusto brings all that signature Bolivar strength but packages it in a way that actually lets the tobacco speak. I’ll be honest with you: this isn’t a morning cigar unless you’ve got a serious tolerance. We’re talking full strength here, maybe edging into full-plus territory. But what separates it from something like a Partagás Serie P No. 2 or a Ramón Allones Specially Selected is the cedar backbone that runs through the entire smoke.
Who’s this for? Experienced smokers who appreciate power but aren’t chasing nicotine for its own sake. If you’re still working your way up from Connecticut shade wrappers, bookmark this one for later. But if you’ve put in your time with Habanos and you’re ready for something that demands your attention – and I know this sounds dramatic, but – this might be your new go-to.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Royal Corona (Robusto) |
| Length | 4.9 inches / 124mm |
| Ring Gauge | 50 |
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Ligero-forward blend |
| Strength | Full to Full-Plus |
| Smoking Time | 60-90 minutes |
The Smoke: What You’re Actually Getting Into
Okay, so let me walk you through what happens when you actually light one of these up. I’m pulling from a box I’ve been aging for about three years now – they were good fresh, but with some time on them? Different animal entirely.
The cold draw gives you this immediate cedar note – that Bolivar signature – along with some barnyard earthiness and a hint of dark chocolate. Not gonna lie, the first time I tried one of these, I thought the draw was a bit tight. Turns out that’s pretty typical for the vitola, and honestly, I’ve come to appreciate it. Makes you slow down.
First Third: The Introduction
Right off the bat, you get hit with earth and leather. The pepper comes through on the retrohale – and I mean really comes through. If you’re not used to retrohaling full-bodied Cubans, maybe work up to it with this one. But here’s what gets me: underneath that initial power, there’s this cedar note that’s almost sweet. It reminds me of walking into a properly maintained humidor, that exact aroma. The wrapper, which has this beautiful reddish-brown tone with some visible oils, burns evenly from the start. The ash is solid – light grey, holding for a good inch and a half before I even think about tapping it.
Second Third: Where It Gets Interesting
This is where the Royal Corona separates itself from the pack. The pepper mellows just enough that you start picking up coffee notes – espresso, specifically, not that watered-down American stuff. There’s some spicy kick that develops on the finish, almost like baking spices. Cinnamon? Maybe. I’m probably biased here, but I think this middle section is where proper aging really shows itself. A fresh Royal Corona can be almost one-dimensional in its power. But give it two, three, even five years? The filler tobaccos start playing together instead of competing.
The construction stays impressive – I’ve smoked maybe twenty of these over the years, and I’ve never had a serious burn issue. One time I had to touch up the wrapper, but I was smoking outside in wind, so that’s on me. The draw opens up slightly as the cigar heats up, which is perfect timing because you want more smoke volume as those flavors develop.
Final Third: The Crescendo
Here’s where Bolivar reminds you who you’re dealing with. The strength ramps up – no joke, if you’ve been smoking too fast, this final third will let you know about it. But it’s not just power for power’s sake. The coffee notes intensify, you get some dark cocoa, and that cedar backbone I mentioned earlier? Still there, holding everything together. The spicy elements come back stronger, pepper on the retrohale, and there’s this almost creamy texture to the smoke that I can’t quite explain but I know it when I taste it.
I typically smoke these down to about an inch remaining. Could you go further? Sure, but why push it? The last inch tends to get a bit hot and bitter – which, between you and me, is true of most full-bodied cigars at that point.
How Does It Stack Up? The Honest Comparison
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivar Royal Corona | Full to Full-Plus | 60-90 minutes | Experienced smokers wanting power with complexity; evening smoke |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Medium-Full to Full | 45-75 minutes | Slightly more approachable; better morning option |
| Ramón Allones Specially Selected | Full | 60-90 minutes | Similar strength but sweeter profile; more cocoa, less pepper |
Look, I genuinely love the Partagás Serie D No. 4 – it’s probably the most famous Cuban Robusto for good reason. But it’s a different beast. The Partagás has more of that earthy, woody character and it’s just slightly more forgiving if you’re not fully caffeinated yet. The Royal Corona demands your attention in a way the Partagás doesn’t quite match.
The Ramón Allones Specially Selected is probably the closest comparison in terms of overall impact and strength. Thing is, the RASS leans sweeter – more molasses and cocoa notes. The Bolivar is drier, more cedar and coffee forward. It’s like comparing bourbon to rye whiskey. Both are excellent, but they scratch different itches. Actually, scratch that – I take back the bourbon comparison. More like comparing a robust Cabernet to a full-bodied Syrah. You know what? The liquor comparison works better. Anyway, back to the cigar.
What to Drink With It (And When to Smoke It)
Here’s the thing about pairing drinks with full-bodied cigars: you need something that can stand up to the intensity without fighting with it. I’ve found the Royal Corona pairs exceptionally well with a good añejo rum – specifically something like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Ron Zacapa 23. The sweetness of aged rum complements that cedar character without overwhelming the tobacco.
Coffee works too – and I mean works really well. A proper Cuban espresso or a strong cold brew alongside this cigar? That’s an afternoon right there. The coffee notes in the cigar and the actual coffee create this echo effect that I’m probably overthinking, but it’s genuinely great.
For whiskey drinkers, skip the heavily peated Scotch – too much competition. Go for something like a sherried single malt or a high-proof bourbon. I had one of these with a pour of Aberlour A’bunadh and it was one of those moments where everything just clicked.
Timing-wise? This is an after-dinner cigar, full stop. I know some absolute madmen who reach for Bolivars in the morning, but I haven’t tried every vitola in the line, so grain of salt. For me, this is an evening smoke, ideally after a substantial meal. The weekend, good company or a good book, no rush. That’s the ideal setting.
The Aging Question: Is It Worth Waiting?
Okay, so should you age these or smoke them fresh? I’ll be blunt: age them if you can. I know that’s not what people want to hear when they just dropped money on a box, but the Royal Corona rewards patience in a way that some other cigars don’t.
Fresh – meaning less than a year from production date – they’re good. Full power, all the signature Bolivar strength you’d expect. But they can be a bit one-note. That cedar is there, the pepper is there, but everything else is kind of fighting for space.
Give them two to three years, though? The integration improves dramatically. The filler tobaccos settle down and start working together. Those coffee and cocoa notes I mentioned earlier become much more pronounced. The spicy elements stay but they’re not dominating the profile anymore. And somehow – and I genuinely don’t understand the chemistry behind this – the strength seems to consolidate rather than dissipate. It’s not milder after aging, it’s just more focused.
I’ve got a few from 2018 that I’m sitting on until 2025 or 2026. I think five to seven years is probably the sweet spot for this vitola. Beyond that? I haven’t gone there yet, but I’ve heard from guys at the cigar club that ten-year-old Royal Coronas are absolutely spectacular. That’s assuming you’ve got the storage conditions dialed in – steady 65-68% humidity, consistent temperature around 65-70°F.
Is the Bolivar Royal Corona too strong for someone transitioning from medium-bodied cigars?
Real talk: yes, probably. The Royal Corona is solidly full-bodied, pushing into full-plus territory. If you’re coming from medium-bodied cigars, I’d recommend working your way up through something like a Partagás Serie D No. 4 or a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 first. That said, if you’ve got experience with full-bodied non-Cubans and you smoke on a full stomach with a good drink, you might handle it fine. Just pace yourself and don’t smoke it too fast.
How long should I age Bolivar Royal Coronas before smoking them?
Minimum? Let them rest in your humidor for at least three months after you receive them, just to recover from shipping. But ideally, I’d say two to three years is where these really start to shine. The flavor profile integrates, the harshness that can sometimes be present in young Bolivars mellows out, and the complexity increases significantly. I’ve got some from 2018 that I’m holding until they hit seven years, and I’ve heard that ten-year-old Royal Coronas are absolutely exceptional if stored properly.
What’s the best humidity level for storing Bolivar Royal Coronas?
I keep mine at 65% relative humidity, which is what I maintain for all my Cuban cigars. Some people go up to 68%, and that’s fine too. The key is consistency – fluctuations will damage your cigars more than being a few percentage points off your target. Temperature-wise, aim for 65-70°F. I know some aficionados who swear by lower humidity for aging Bolivars specifically, like 62-63%, claiming it concentrates the flavors. I haven’t experimented with that myself, but it’s worth considering if you’re planning long-term aging.
How does the Royal Corona compare to other Bolivar vitolas?
The Royal Corona sits in an interesting spot in the Bolivar lineup. It’s more approachable than the Belicosos Finos but more powerful than the Petit Coronas. The Robusto format – that 50 ring gauge – gives you a good balance of wrapper to filler ratio, which means you get that signature Bolivar strength without it overwhelming everything else. If you want something even bigger and longer-smoking, the Bolivar Corona Gigantes is there, but honestly, I think the Royal Corona is the sweet spot in the range. It’s got the perfect smoking time – an hour to 90 minutes – without demanding your entire evening.
What flavors should I expect from a Bolivar Royal Corona?
The dominant note throughout is cedar – that’s the Bolivar signature and it’s present from first light to final puff. You’ll get strong earth and leather in the first third, along with black pepper on the retrohale. The second third develops coffee notes, specifically espresso, with some spicy elements like cinnamon or baking spices. The final third intensifies with more coffee, dark cocoa, and a return of that pepper. If the cigar has some age on it, you’ll also pick up some subtle sweetness and cream texture that balances out the power. These aren’t delicate flavors – everything is bold and in-your-face, which is exactly what you should expect from Bolivar.
Are Bolivar Royal Coronas available as limited editions?
No, the Royal Corona is part of Bolivar’s regular production lineup, not a limited edition release. That’s actually good news because it means consistent availability and you’re not paying the premium that comes with limited edition Habanos. Bolivar has released several limited editions over the years – like the Bolivar Super Coronas and the Bolivar Soberano – but the Royal Corona has been a steady presence in the marca. This also means you can buy a box, try one, and if you love it, get more without worrying about it disappearing from the market.
What’s the typical smoking time for a Bolivar Royal Corona?
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your smoking pace. I’m a slower smoker – I like to really take my time with full-bodied cigars to avoid the nicotine hit – so I’m usually closer to the 90-minute mark. If you smoke faster, you might finish in an hour, but be careful. These are strong cigars and smoking them too quickly can make the experience harsher and might leave you feeling the strength more than you’d like. The length is just under 5 inches at 124mm, but that 50 ring gauge means there’s a lot of tobacco to work through. This is not a quick smoke during a lunch break – set aside a proper chunk of your evening for it.
Final Thoughts: Does It Deserve Space in Your Humidor?
So where does that leave us? The Bolivar Royal Corona is – and I know some aficionados will disagree with me here – one of the most underrated cigars in the current Habanos catalog. Yeah, it’s strong. Yeah, it demands respect and a full stomach. But if you’re at the point in your cigar journey where you can handle that strength, the Royal Corona offers something that’s increasingly hard to find: power with purpose.
That cedar backbone, the way the coffee and spicy notes develop through the smoke, the rock-solid construction – these aren’t accidents. This is what happens when you take ligero-forward Vuelta Abajo tobacco and roll it by people who’ve been doing this for generations. It’s not trying to be smooth or mild or approachable. It’s trying to be exactly what it is: a full-throttle Cuban cigar that still has something to say beyond just “look how strong I am.”
If you’re looking to add a powerhouse Robusto to your rotation, or if you want to understand what Bolivar brings to the table, grab a five-pack. Let them rest for a few months minimum. Smoke one, see what you think. Then hide the rest for a couple years and thank me later. Between you and me, I think you’re going to become a believer.
