Bolívar
Bolívar is a high-value Habanos house founded in 1902 in Cuba, producing full-strength cigars in traditional formats. The brand is known for a heavily concentrated blend that requires careful ageing, making it a staple for experienced smokers and collectors. Operating under Habanos S.A., Bolívar maintains a steady core range alongside highly sought-after limited and regional releases.
The history and profile of the house
The Bolívar house has built a formidable reputation for producing cigars with an uncommonly rich and heavy blend. Since its foundation in 1902, the brand has focused on full-strength tobaccos that require time and proper storage to mellow. The robust character of these cigars intentionally mirrors the powerful historical figure they are named after, the South American general Simón Bolívar.
For collectors, Bolívar represents exceptional ageing potential. The dense oils and strong ligero leaf used in the core range mean that young boxes can be overpowering. With five to ten years of rest in a controlled humidor, the blend settles, revealing nuanced earth, leather, and spice notes. Serious smokers often monitor box codes closely to track the evolution of specific vintages and factory codes.
Bolívar: Belicosos Finos
All cigars within the Bolívar portfolio are manufactured totally by hand using long filler tobaccos sourced from the premium Vuelta Abajo zone in Cuba. This adherence to traditional rolling methods ensures that the draw and construction can support the density of the blend, provided they are kept in optimal conditions.
Core range and famous vitolas
The Bolívar regular-production core range focuses on classic Cuban formats, presenting full-strength experiences across various sizes. The house is particularly known for its historic vitolas de galera that have been in continuous production since before 1960.
Among these, the Belicosos Finos is the standout. Rolled as a Campanas figurado, it offers a concentrated expression of the Bolívar blend and is widely considered a benchmark for Cuban pyramids. The tapering of the head focuses the heavy smoke onto the palate, intensifying the flavour profile.
The Royal Coronas, introduced around 1969 as a classic Robustos, provides a slightly shorter but equally intense smoke. It is known for its consistent draw and thick, voluminous smoke output.
For those seeking shorter durations, the Coronas Junior in the Minutos format, alongside the Petit Coronas and Bolívar Tubos No.2 in the Marevas format, deliver the signature strength in a more compact size. The Tubos No.2, being housed in aluminium tubes, ages differently to those in standard dress boxes, often retaining a fresher, more direct profile for longer. All of these remain staples for collectors acquiring English Market Selection (EMS) boxes for long-term cellaring.
Bolívar: Regentes
Limited, Regional and Reserva releases
Beyond the core portfolio, Bolívar is frequently chosen by Habanos S.A. for special commissions. The robust blend serves as an excellent foundation for limited runs, which often feature specially aged tobaccos or unique, resurrected formats.
The brand has seen numerous Regional Editions tailored for specific markets, such as the Tiempo RE France 2017. Limited Editions, including the Soberano Limited Edition 2018 and the Regentes Limited Edition 2021, are highly prized by collectors for their distinctive dark wrappers and altered blend proportions.
Furthermore, Bolívar has been honoured with a Reserva release: the Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016. This cigar utilises tobaccos aged for a minimum of three years before rolling, refining the powerful blend into a smoother, more complex profile. The New Gold Medal, a La Casa del Habano (LCDH) exclusive, is another notable release that revives a historical packaging style.
Collecting and verifying Bolívar
Acquiring Bolívar cigars requires attention to provenance and condition. Given their value and popularity among serious smokers, they are occasionally subject to counterfeiting. Buyers should familiarise themselves with how to spot fake Cuban cigars, paying close attention to the print quality of the distinctive portrait band and the precise dimensions of the cigar.
Condition is paramount for cigars of this strength, and provenance plays a major role. For the UK market, ensuring a box carries the English Market Selection (EMS) stamp guarantees that the cigars have passed stringent import quality control and have been stored correctly upon arrival.
When purchasing boxes for ageing, collectors prefer stock that has been kept at consistent temperature and humidity. Always verify the factory and date stamps on the base of the box, as specific years can yield subtle variations in the blend's performance.
Core range specifications
Belicosos Finos — Vitola de Galera: Campanas — Format: Figurado — Length: 140 mm (5.51") — Ring Gauge: 52 — Strength: Full — Introduced: Pre-1960
Bolívar Tubos No.2 — Vitola de Galera: Marevas — Format: Parejo — Length: 129 mm (5.08") — Ring Gauge: 42 — Strength: Full — Introduced: Pre-1960
Coronas Junior — Vitola de Galera: Minutos — Format: Parejo — Length: 110 mm (4.33") — Ring Gauge: 42 — Strength: Full — Introduced: Pre-1960
Petit Coronas — Vitola de Galera: Marevas — Format: Parejo — Length: 129 mm (5.08") — Ring Gauge: 42 — Strength: Full — Introduced: Pre-1960
Royal Coronas — Vitola de Galera: Robustos — Format: Parejo — Length: 124 mm (4.88") — Ring Gauge: 50 — Strength: Full — Introduced: c1969
At MokaCigar
Our humidor maintains a precise environment to ensure these full-bodied cigars begin their maturation perfectly. We carefully source and verify every box, confirming the authenticity and condition before they reach our clients. We currently hold stock of the Bolivar Regentes Limited Edition 2021, Bolivar Tiempo RE France 2017, Bolivar Belicosos Finos Reserva Cosecha 2016, Bolivar New Gold Medal LCDH, Bolivar Soberano Limited Edition 2018, as well as core range staples like the Bolivar Royal Coronas and Bolivar Belicosos Finos. To view our full holding, visit the Bolívar shop page.
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (18 releases, enquiries welcome): Bolivar 5th Avenida Regional Alemania 2009, Bolivar Belgravia UK Regional 2015, Bolivar Britanicas UK Regional 2011, Bolivar Corona Gigantes 2006 singles, Bolivar Coronas Junior, Bolivar Empreador RE Rusia (Russia) 2011, Bolivar Libertador ER Exclusivo Francia (France) Regional Edition, Bolivar Libertador LCDH, Bolivar Lonsdale 2001 - Singles, Bolivar Petit Belicoso Limited Edition 2009, Bolivar Petit Coronas, Bolivar Poderosos Regional Luxemurgo 2013, and more.