Bolivar Royal Corona (Tubos)(10)

Why Bolivar Royal Corona Became My Go-To Recommendation for Serious Smokers

I’ll be straight with you – when someone asks me for a Cuban recommendation that’ll separate the wheat from the chaff, I hand them a Bolivar Royal Corona. Not because I’m trying to be a gatekeeper or anything, but because this stick tells you real quick if you’re ready for what Cuba’s really about. Been smoking these beauties for probably fifteen years now, and they’ve never once let me down when I needed to impress someone who thought they knew cigars.

The corona royal format is something special, you know? It’s not trying to be the biggest thing in your humidor, but it’s got enough real estate to let the blend really sing. At 5⅝ × 42, it’s what I call the Goldilocks size – just right for when you want something substantial but don’t have three hours to kill.

First Light and Initial Impressions

Right off the bat, these Bolivars come in tubes, which honestly I’m split on. Sure, they’re convenient as hell – I’ve carried them in jacket pockets, backpacks, you name it. But part of me misses that ritual of sliding the band off a naked cigar. Whatever. The tube keeps ’em perfect, and that’s what matters.

The wrapper on these is typically gorgeous Cuban leaf – not always flawless (this isn’t Cohiba money we’re talking about), but it’s got character. Rich brown, usually with a bit of tooth to it. The construction’s been remarkably consistent in my experience, though I did get a batch about three years ago that was rolled a touch loose. Happens to the best of ’em.

Cold draw gives you hints of what’s coming – earth, a little barnyard funk (in the best way), maybe some cocoa if you’re lucky. But honestly? The cold draw on Bolivars never tells the whole story. These cigars come alive with fire.

The Flavor Journey – No Nonsense

Here’s where I probably differ from a lot of reviewers – I don’t buy into this whole “first third, second third, final third” thing. Cigars don’t read tasting note cards, you know? They do what they do, and you roll with it.

That said, the Royal Corona typically starts medium-plus and builds from there. First few puffs, you’re getting that classic Bolivar earth and leather. Not delicate, not apologetic. This is Cuban tobacco doing what it does best – being bold without being harsh.

About an inch in, things get interesting. There’s this coffee note that starts creeping in, not your fancy single-origin stuff, but good honest espresso. Dark and slightly bitter in the best way. Sometimes I get hints of dark chocolate, but it’s not consistent batch to batch. (And honestly, if you’re smoking cigars for consistent chocolate notes every time, maybe try actual chocolate?)

The middle stretch is where these really shine. The corona royal size gives the blend room to breathe, and you start getting these waves of complexity. Spice comes and goes – not the pepper bomb some people expect from Bolivar, but more like good paprika or even cinnamon some days. There’s always this underlying earthiness that keeps everything grounded.

Final few inches? That’s when you know if you’ve got a good one. The best Royal Coronas finish strong without getting harsh, ramping up the intensity while staying smooth. I’ve smoked these down to nubs that burned my fingers because I couldn’t put them down.

What I Pair These With (And Why It Matters)

Pairing’s personal, but I’ve had enough of these to know what works. My go-to is a good aged rum – specifically, I keep a bottle of El Dorado 15 around just for Bolivars. The caramel and spice notes play beautifully with the tobacco earthiness. Had one of the best smoking sessions of my life pairing these two on a buddy’s deck in Colorado – something about the altitude made everything taste more intense.

If you’re a whiskey person, go peated Scotch. I know, I know – not everyone’s cup of tea. But there’s something about Laphroaig or Ardbeg with a Royal Corona that just works. The smoke plays against smoke, if that makes sense.

Coffee? Absolutely. But make it strong and black. I’ve paired these with everything from Cuban espresso to cold brew, and they handle it all. Just don’t go adding cream and sugar – you’ll muddy up what the cigar’s trying to tell you.

Beer’s trickier. Light lagers get overwhelmed, IPAs fight too much. Your best bet is something malty – a good porter or brown ale. Founders Porter has never steered me wrong with these.

Who Should Smoke These (And Who Shouldn’t)

Let me be blunt here – if you’re new to cigars, start somewhere else. Not because I’m being elitist, but because you’ll waste a good stick and probably convince yourself you don’t like Cuban cigars. These aren’t beginner-friendly. They’re medium-full at minimum, sometimes pushing full depending on age and storage.

Perfect for: Experienced smokers who want classic Cuban character without breaking the bank. Anyone who appreciates earth and leather over floral notes. People who think most cigars are too mild these days.

Skip these if: You prefer Connecticut wrappers and mild flavors. You’re looking for something sweet and smooth. You only have 45 minutes – these deserve at least an hour and fifteen minutes of your time.

I’ve recommended these to probably two dozen people over the years. The ones who loved them were already smoking Padron 1964s, Liga Privadas, stuff with some backbone. The guy who complained it was “too earthy” was coming from Romeo y Julieta Reserva Reals. Know your audience, you know?

Storage Tips and Quirks You Should Know

Here’s something most reviews won’t tell you – these smoke better with some age on them. Not saying you need to cellar them for five years, but six months to a year makes a real difference. Fresh ones can be a bit sharp, almost green-tasting sometimes.

Storage-wise, keep ’em at 65% humidity if you can. I know everyone says 70%, but I’ve found Bolivars in general prefer it a touch drier. Maybe it’s just my climate (I’m in Texas, so it’s humid as hell half the year), but 65% keeps the burn even and prevents that soggy, over-humidified taste.

The tubes are great for transport but don’t store them in there long-term. Tube storage can make them taste flat after a while. Pop ’em out, let them breathe in your humidor.

One quirky thing – I’ve noticed these smoke differently depending on the season. Winter ones seem more intense, summer ones a bit mellower. Could be humidity, could be my imagination, but I’ve been tracking it for years and there’s definitely a pattern.

How They Stack Up Against the Competition

In the Cuban world, you’re looking at Partagas Serie D No. 4 as the main competitor in this price range and strength profile. Both are earthy, both are bold, both are classics. The Partagas is a bit more approachable, the Bolivar more complex (in my opinion). If I had to pick one for a desert island, I’d probably go Royal Corona, but it’s close.

Non-Cuban comparisons are tough because the terroir’s so different, but if you like these, try the Tatuaje Black Label Corona Gorda or anything from the Warped Don Reynaldo line. Different flavor profiles but similar strength and complexity levels.

Questions You’re Probably Wondering About

Are these worth the premium over other Bolivars? Depends on what you’re comparing to. Against Corona Extras? Maybe not – those are fantastic values. Against Corona Gigantes? Absolutely, the smaller ring gauge lets the wrapper contribute more to the flavor.

How do I know if I got a good box? Look for even color across the cigars, firm but not hard construction, and that classic Cuban barnyard smell when you open the box. If they smell grassy or musty, pass.

Should I buy the tubos or regular boxes? Tubos if you travel or want to give them as gifts. Regular boxes if you’re aging them or want to save a few bucks. The tobacco’s the same.

How long will these keep? Forever, if stored properly. I’ve got some from 2018 that are just hitting their stride now. Cubans are built for aging.

Bottom Line

The Bolivar Royal Corona is what Cuban cigars are supposed to be – bold, earthy, uncompromising, and absolutely worth your time if you’re ready for them. They’re not trying to be everything to everyone, and I respect that. In a world of focus-grouped, committee-designed cigars, these just do their thing and do it well.

At around $15-20 each (depending on your source and current market conditions), they’re not cheap, but they’re honest. You’re paying for quality Cuban tobacco, solid construction, and a flavor profile that’s been refined over decades. No gimmicks, no marketing nonsense, just a damn good smoke.

Would I buy these again? Already got a box aging in the humidor. That should tell you everything you need to know.