Bolivar Pettit Corona

What Everyone Gets Wrong About Bolivar Petit Coronas

Here’s what drives me absolutely nuts about most reviews of Bolivar Petit Coronas – everyone talks about them like they’re some kind of training wheels cigar. “Oh, it’s a good starter Cuban,” they’ll say. Or my personal favorite: “Perfect for beginners who want to try a real Cuban without getting overwhelmed.”

Bull. Complete bull.

I’ve been smoking cigars for over two decades now, and let me tell you something – bolivar petit coronas will knock you flat on your ass if you’re not ready for them. I’ve seen grown men (including myself, embarrassingly enough, back in 2003) turn green after half a stick. These little beauties pack more punch per inch than cigars twice their size, and frankly, that’s exactly why I love them.

The Bolivar brand has always been the rebel child of the Cuban family. While Cohiba gets all the fancy dress-up treatment and Montecristo plays it safe for the country club crowd, Bolivar just shows up ready to throw punches. The petit corona format? That’s where this attitude really shines.

First Light: What You’re Really Getting Into

I remember my first proper Bolivar petit corona – not that disaster from ’03 when I was still smoking Macanudos and thought I was hot shit. This was probably 2007, sitting on my buddy Martinez’s porch in Miami. He’d brought back a box from his cousin in Toronto (don’t ask me about the logistics, but Canadian shops used to be gold mines for Cubans).

The construction on these is… well, it’s typically Cuban. Which means sometimes you get a gem, sometimes you get a cigar that burns like a drunk tourist stumbling down Duval Street. But when they’re good? Christ, they’re good.

The wrapper’s usually this gorgeous, oily colorado maduro that feels substantial despite the petit corona size. I’ve noticed the 2015-2019 boxes tend to have better consistency than the earlier 2010s, though that might just be my imagination. The pre-light draw gives you hints of what’s coming – leather, maybe some cocoa, and this underlying earthiness that screams “Cuba” before you even light up.

The Smoke: A 40-Minute Roller Coaster

Now, most reviewers break cigars down into thirds like they’re dissecting a frog in biology class. That’s not how I smoke, and it’s definitely not how bolivar petit coronas reveal themselves. These cigars are more like… imagine a good whiskey that changes every time you swirl it.

The first few puffs? Boom. You’re hit with this wave of pepper and spice that makes your sinuses clear up real quick. I’m talking about proper pepper here – not the mild tingle you get from Connecticut shade nonsense. This is black pepper that means business, backed up by what tastes like cinnamon bark and maybe some nutmeg.

But here’s where it gets interesting (and where those “beginner cigar” people are dead wrong). About ten minutes in, when most mild cigars are settling into their boring groove, the Bolivar starts shifting gears. The pepper doesn’t disappear – it just steps back to let other flavors muscle their way forward. I get coffee notes, but not your fancy Starbucks foam art coffee. More like that Cuban coffee my neighbor Hector makes in his beat-up stovetop espresso maker – thick, bitter, and strong enough to wake the dead.

The middle portion is where these cigars earn their reputation. There’s this mineral quality that comes through – tastes like you’re licking rocks, which sounds awful but somehow works perfectly. Mixed with tobacco that’s clearly been aged properly (assuming you didn’t get a fresh box – more on that later), plus hints of dark chocolate and maybe some cedar.

The final third? This is make-or-break time. A good Bolivar petit corona will finish with this incredible complexity – all those earlier flavors dancing together with some new players like leather and earth joining the party. A bad one will either go bitter as hell or just peter out into nothing. That’s the gamble with Cubans, isn’t it?

What I Actually Pair These With (And What Works)

Forget what the magazines tell you about pairing cigars with $200 bottles of rum or whatever. I’ve tried bolivar petit coronas with everything from gas station coffee to 30-year-old scotch, and here’s what actually works:

Coffee – But not just any coffee. I’m talking about proper Cuban coffee, or at least something dark and strong. Café Bustelo works if you make it strong enough. The bitterness plays off that mineral quality in the cigar beautifully.

Beer – This might sound weird, but hear me out. A good porter or stout works incredibly well. I’ve had great experiences with Founders Porter and even Guinness (though that’s probably heresy to some people). The creamy texture softens those sharp pepper notes while the roasted flavors complement the tobacco.

Rum – Obviously. But skip the expensive stuff for these. A good mixing rum like Flor de Caña 7 or even Bacardi 8 works perfectly. You want something with enough character to stand up to the cigar without overwhelming it.

What doesn’t work? Wine. I’ve tried, multiple times, with different bolivar petit coronas and various wines. It’s just… no. The cigar’s too aggressive, the wine ends up tasting flat and metallic. Save your wine for milder cigars.

Who Should Smoke These (And Who Definitely Shouldn’t)

This is gonna ruffle some feathers, but I don’t care. Bolivar petit coronas are not beginner cigars. I don’t care what that guy at your local shop told you, or what you read on some forum. If you’re still working your way through Ashton Classics or Romeo y Julieta Reserves, these will probably kick your ass.

Who should smoke them? People who appreciate intensity over refinement. If you’re the type who drinks whiskey neat, prefers dark chocolate over milk chocolate, and actually enjoys the burn of proper hot sauce – these might be your jam. They’re also perfect for experienced smokers who want something substantial but don’t have time for a two-hour commitment.

I particularly recommend them for:

• Guys who love Nicaraguan powerhouses but want to explore Cuban territory
• Anyone who finds most petit coronas boring and flavorless
• Experienced smokers looking for a solid everyday Cuban that won’t break the bank
• People who enjoy cigars with their morning coffee (controversial, I know)

Who should skip them? Anyone still getting nicotine rushes from medium-bodied cigars. Anyone who prioritizes “smoothness” above all else. And definitely anyone who thinks Macanudo Café represents the pinnacle of cigar making (yes, I’ve met these people).

The Quirks, Storage Tips, and Insider Stuff

After twenty years of smoking these, I’ve learned a few things that might save you some disappointment:

Fresh boxes are usually harsh as hell. I know, I know – we all want to tear into a new box immediately. But bolivar petit coronas need time. Six months minimum, a year is better. I’ve got a box from 2018 that I’m still working through, and they’re finally hitting their stride.

The burn can be wonky. More than other Cubans, I’ve noticed these have construction issues. Keep your lighter handy for touch-ups. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s something to expect.

Storage matters more than usual. These seem particularly sensitive to humidity fluctuations. I keep mine at 65% RH, maybe 66% tops. Any higher and they get plugged, any lower and they burn too fast and hot.

Box dates matter. I’ve had consistently better experiences with boxes from 2015 onward. The 2012-2014 period was pretty rough across most Cuban brands, and Bolivar was no exception.

Here’s something most people don’t know: these cigars smoke completely differently in different weather. High humidity days? They’re mellow and smooth (relatively speaking). Dry winter days? They’ll knock you sideways. I’ve started paying attention to barometric pressure before lighting up – sounds crazy, but it makes a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions (The Real Ones)

Are these actually stronger than other petit coronas?

Hell yes. I’ve smoked petit coronas from most major Cuban brands, and Bolivar consistently packs more punch. It’s not just the nicotine (though there’s plenty of that) – it’s the overall intensity of flavor.

How do they compare to larger Bolivar cigars?

They’re more concentrated, obviously, but they actually showcase the Bolivar character better than some of the longer formats. The Royal Corona is smoother but can get boring. The Churchill is impressive but sometimes feels diluted. The petit corona format forces everything into sharp focus.

Why are they so inconsistent?

Same reason all Cubans are inconsistent – hand-rolled production, varying tobacco crops, different rollers having different techniques. It’s part of the charm, though it can be frustrating when you’re paying premium prices.

Can I smoke these every day?

Depends on your tolerance and schedule. They’re strong enough that I wouldn’t recommend them as your only cigar, but I know guys who smoke one every morning with coffee. I usually limit myself to 2-3 per week, mixed in with milder options.

Are the tubed versions different?

Not significantly, though I’ve noticed the tubed ones sometimes have slightly better construction. Might just be that they get extra attention during quality control. The tubes are handy for travel, but they don’t really affect aging much.

Bottom Line: Are They Worth Your Money?

Look, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you bolivar petit coronas are perfect cigars. They’re not. They can be harsh when young, inconsistent from stick to stick, and they’ll absolutely ruin your day if you’re not prepared for their intensity.

But when everything lines up – when you get a well-aged stick with good construction, paired with the right drink on the right day – these little bastards are magical. They deliver more flavor and complexity in 40 minutes than most cigars manage in two hours. And for the price point (at least compared to other Cubans), they’re honestly a pretty good value.

Would I recommend them? If you’re experienced enough to handle them, absolutely. They’ve been a regular part of my rotation for over fifteen years, and I’ve got no plans to stop smoking them.

Just… maybe don’t start with them after a heavy meal. Trust me on that one.