Bolivar Gold Metal
Cuban
Size: 42 x 6.5
Body: 3.5/5
Strength: 3.5/5
Finish: 4/5
Price: $20-$30 a stick
Age: 2004
(TYHB)

This cigar is a limited run of the original BMG which is touted by
some as the strongest of the Bolivar marque. MRN states it's the most
"Earthly" cigar he has ever tried. For me, Partagas wears the crown.

Appearance: Best presentation of any cigar I've seen, bar none.
Wrapper was rice paper thin and fragile which is unusual for a
Bolivar.
http://www.timlassiter.com/bgm.htm

I knew from the get-go that this cigar was going to have draw problems
as it was very heavy for a Lonsdale and a solid 2" down from the head
it was obviously over filled. Zero give in that area of the cigar.

Snipped this one and immediately split the wrapper about an inch down.
No surprise there. Repaired it with pectin and set fire to it.

About an inch into the cigar it burned a one inch track up the side of
the wrapper like a firecracker fuse, complete with sparkles. At this
point I'm wondering WTF..Can this get any worst? Anyway..I corrected
the burn and lost an inch of the cigar by doing so.

Finally after struggling with the tight draw and asking myself where
is the power that everyone is talking about I decided to cut a good
inch off the head. Apply pectin again, took a draw and Bam!!,
instance power hit. Full of delicious spice, long finish, and a
mouthful of earthiness. Now we are talking.

Conclusion: Other than the construction it was a fantastic cigar.
Not as strong as touted but then again I lost two inches of the smoke
to problems. No green taste at all. Smoked like an aged Bolivar to
the nub. At the nub there was no tar present or nic kick which is not
typical of Bolivar in my experience. Aged tobacco perhaps?.

Two ratings on this one.
Construction: O/5 - One of the worst I've seen.
Over all with omitting the construction issues: 4/5

Thanks for reading.
--
TimL

On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 21:37:38 GMT, TimL <[Email Removed]> wrote: