Bolivar Super Coronas 2014
Some cigars are interesting because they are exceptional; others are interesting because of what they represent. The Bolivar Super Coronas 2014 falls into the latter category — a Prominente-format cigar (178mm by 47 ring gauge) that carries a vintage designation and invites the smoker to consider how a specific production year manifests in the glass. Cuban tobacco varies harvest to harvest, and vintage-dated cigars offer a window into that variation. The 2014 production run reflects the leaf harvested and cured in that year, rolled totalmente a mano into the brand's full-strength blend. For smokers who follow Cuban cigar vintages and want to understand how annual variation expresses itself in one of Cuba's most powerful marcas, this is a cigar to cellar, smoke, and compare.
Tasting Notes
The 2014 vintage opens with the earth-and-cedar foundation that is Bolivar's signature, but the pepper is slightly more restrained than in non-vintage production — a characteristic that may reflect the specific 2014 leaf selection. The first third is grounded and dry, with a leathery quality from the wrapper and a persistent woody backbone. The draw is open, as the Prominente format generally produces, and the smoke is cool and dense despite the blend's full strength.
The middle third develops the profile in a way that rewards the long format. Coffee notes build gradually, moving from a mild roasted character to a darker, espresso-like intensity. A dark chocolate quality surfaces alongside it, and the earth shifts from dry to richer, almost loamy. The 2014 leaf seems to produce a slightly more pronounced sweetness in this section than typical Bolivar Prominentes, though the brand's fundamental dryness keeps that sweetness in check.
The final third is full Bolivar. The pepper reasserts, the coffee turns bitter, and a charred-wood finish closes the smoke. The strength builds to a peak in the last inch and a half, producing a finish that is long, warm, and emphatic. The vintage designation does not soften the conclusion — this is still a full-strength cigar that finishes the way Bolivar intends.
Construction and Draw
The Prominente vitola at 178mm is a demanding roll, and vintage-dated production is typically entrusted to experienced torcedores. The construction quality is consistent with Bolivar's standards for the format: even packing along the full length, an open draw, and a wrapper in the colourado to colourado maduro range. The cap is triple-applied and takes a guillotine cut cleanly. Burn lines are generally straight, with the occasional minor correction typical of long Cuban cigars.
Pairing Suggestions
The Prominente format suits pairings that can sustain over 90 minutes. An aged rum — 15 years or more — carries through from the opening earth to the final espresso. A sherried single malt or an oloroso sherry complements the middle-third chocolate notes. Strong black coffee is the reliable non-alcoholic option and pairs especially well with the final third.
Value and Collectibility
Vintage-dated Cuban cigars carry inherent collectible interest. The 2014 production is a fixed quantity — no more will be made — and its character reflects the specific growing season. For collectors, the appeal is in comparative smoking: setting the 2014 alongside other Bolivar Prominentes from different years and tasting the difference that annual leaf variation makes. This is a cigar to buy in quantity if you have the humidor space, as its value as a comparative reference increases over time.
Brand Background
Established in 1902, Bolivar is named after Simón Bolívar, the liberator of South America. The brand is distributed worldwide by Habanos S.A., using leaf exclusively from the Vuelta Abajo region. All production is totalmente a mano. Full brand history on Wikipedia.
Storage
65–70% RH, 18–20°C. Vintage-dated cigars benefit from longer aging — the 2014 production is already a decade old and continues to develop. Store in the original box inside a seasoned humidor. The Prominente format's long body requires even humidity distribution; monitor with a calibrated hygrometer and avoid hot spots near humidification elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "2014" mean on a Cuban cigar?
The year refers to the production or vintage year — the year the cigar was rolled, using leaf from the corresponding harvest. Cuban tobacco varies year to year based on weather and growing conditions, so vintage-dated cigars reflect the specific character of that year's leaf.
How does a vintage Bolivar differ from standard production?
The blend formula is consistent with Bolivar's Prominente profile, but the specific leaf from the 2014 harvest may show subtle differences in sweetness, pepper intensity, or body compared to other years. These differences are generally modest but discernible to experienced smokers.
Is a 2014 vintage cigar still good to smoke now?
Yes. Cuban cigars aged for 8–10 years are often at a peak of complexity. The 2014 Bolivar Super Coronas has had sufficient time in cedar to develop integrated, mellowed flavours while retaining the full strength that defines the brand.
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