About the Bolivar Royal Corona
The Bolivar Royal Corona is the flagship robusto of one of Cuba’s most uncompromising marcas. Founded in 1901 and named after the South American liberator Simon Bolivar, the brand has long stood for power, depth, and an unapologetically full character. This particular vitola earned its place in cigar history when Cigar Aficionado named it the Number 1 Cigar of the Year in 2006 with a 94 rating, a distinction that turned an already respected robusto into a benchmark for the format. Presented here in aluminium tubos and packed in a box of ten, each stick is sealed to protect its oils and aromatics until the moment you light up.
Flavor profile by thirds
The opening third settles in with warm cedar, roasted coffee, and a peppery bite, framed by the earthy barnyard twang that defines classic Bolivar. As the cigar reaches the middle, it grows rounder and more generous, layering dark chocolate and cocoa over leather and a whisper of dried fruit. The final third concentrates everything into a dense, brooding finish, with charred wood, espresso, and black pepper carrying a slightly salty, umami note toward the nub. Full in strength yet rarely aggressive, it rewards patient, deliberate smoking from light to last inch.
Pairings
- An aged Cuban rum, whose caramel and oak echo the cigar’s cocoa and cedar.
- A double espresso or strong black coffee to amplify the roasted, mocha-leaning core.
- A peaty single malt Scotch, which stands up to the pepper and charred-wood intensity.
Aging and storage
Bolivar is built to age, and the Royal Corona is no exception. Kept at roughly 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and around 18 degrees Celsius, the blend mellows over a few years, trading some of its youthful pepper for deeper sweetness and a smoother, more integrated body. The tubos give a measure of protection on their own, but a seasoned humidor remains the best home for long term rest. Rotate your boxes occasionally and resist the urge to smoke them all young, since this cigar genuinely improves with time.
Who it is for
This is a robusto for the seasoned palate. Smokers who enjoy bold, full bodied Habanos with real complexity will find plenty to explore, while newcomers to strong Cuban tobacco may prefer to approach it after a meal rather than on an empty stomach. If you appreciate earthy, chocolate driven profiles with a confident peppery backbone, the Royal Corona belongs in your rotation.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is the Bolivar Royal Corona?
It is a full strength cigar, among the more powerful Habanos, though its intensity builds gradually rather than overwhelming from the first puff.
What size is the Royal Corona?
It is a Robusto, measuring 4.9 inches (124 mm) with a 50 ring gauge, giving a smoking time of roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
Are these cigars in tubos?
Yes. This presentation comes as individual aluminium tubos in a box of ten, which helps preserve freshness and makes them easy to carry.
Explore more
Browse all Bolivar cigars, or try the Bolivar Coronas Gigantes and Bolivar Belicosos Finos Cabinet Box. Store yours in a seasoned humidor and see our guide on how long cigars last. Learn more from Wikipedia, the official Habanos S.A. site.
