In the rarefied air of Cuban cigar collecting, few subjects ignite as much passion as the discontinued vitolas of Havana's golden age. The Bolívar Cabinet Selection No.1 stands as a compelling relic from an era when Cuban cigar making was undergoing profound transformation. This short-lived cigar, produced for barely two decades, captures a moment in time when craftsmanship and tradition reigned supreme, offering modern enthusiasts a tantalizing glimpse into what once was.
The Revolutionary Spirit Behind the Brand
Before delving into the specifics of this departed vitola, one must understand the weight of the name it bore. The Bolívar brand has long been associated with unapologetic intensity and robust character, qualities that mirror its namesake. Simón Bolívar, the legendary South American liberator who freed vast territories from Spanish colonial rule, left behind a legacy of boldness and defiance. The cigar brand established in his honor has consistently delivered blends that echo this revolutionary spirit—powerful, complex, and utterly uncompromising.
The Cabinet Selection No.1 entered the market during a particularly vibrant period for Cuban tobacco. Arriving on shelves sometime before 1960, this cigar emerged during what many consider the pinnacle of Cuban cigar production. The pre- and post-revolutionary transition period saw remarkable blends reach consumers, and this particular Marevas-format offering was no exception. For roughly fifteen to twenty years, the Cabinet Selection No.1 found its way into the humidors of discerning smokers before being retired in the mid-1970s, a relatively brief run that has only enhanced its mystique among collectors.
Dimensions and Specifications
The Cabinet Selection No.1 was crafted to the Marevas specifications, a factory designation that denotes a specific size profile cherished by cigar aficionados. Understanding these measurements provides insight into the smoking experience this vitola once offered:
- Length: 129 millimeters (approximately 5⅛ inches)
- Ring Gauge: 42, placing it firmly in the corona family
- Official Weight: 8.46 grams
- Construction: Entirely handmade
- Band: Standard band A designation
This corona-sized format has historically earned praise for delivering a balanced smoking experience. The dimensions allow for a moderate duration—typically forty-five minutes to an hour—while providing sufficient canvas for a blend's complexity to unfold. Unlike today's trend toward massive ring gauges, the Marevas format represents a more traditional approach to cigar making, where concentration of flavor takes precedence over sheer volume.
Presentation and Packaging
The Cabinet Selection No.1 arrived in slide lid boxes containing twenty-five cigars, a packaging choice that speaks to the era's emphasis on elegance and practicality. These boxes, often referred to as SLBs (slide lid boxes), served dual purposes: they presented the cigars beautifully while simultaneously creating an ideal environment for aging. The sliding lid design allowed for some air exchange, enabling cigars to mature gracefully over years or even decades.
Each cigar bore the Standard band A, the classic Bolívar livery that has remained largely unchanged through the decades. This band, with its portrait of the great liberator and ornate typography, identified the cigar immediately as a product of one of Cuba's most prestigious houses. The handmade construction ensured that every Cabinet Selection No.1 carried the human touch—a roller's expertise translated into tobacco form.
A Discontinued Treasure
The discontinuation of the Cabinet Selection No.1 in the mid-1970s marked the end of a chapter for Bolívar enthusiasts. While the brand has continued to flourish with other celebrated vitolas—the Royal Corona, Belicosos Finos, and Petit Coronas among them—the Cabinet Selection No.1 remains a point of fascination for cigar historians and serious collectors. Its relatively brief production window means that surviving examples are exceedingly rare, and when they do surface, they command significant attention.
What makes this vitola particularly intriguing is its position within the broader narrative of Cuban cigar evolution. The mid-1970s saw numerous cigars retired as production streamlined and market demands shifted. The Cabinet Selection No.1, with its Marevas dimensions, fell victim to these changes, yet its memory persists as a testament to a different era—one where the pace was slower, the blends were bolder, and the craftsmanship was paramount.
For those fortunate enough to encounter a well-preserved Cabinet Selection No.1 today, the experience offers more than mere flavor; it provides a direct connection to Cuban cigar history at its most transformative moment. Though production ceased decades ago, the legacy of this remarkable vitola endures, reminding us that some of the finest creations often have the briefest time in the sun.
