Cuban cigars, although not for everyone, have long been seen as symbols of wealth and power, with prominent men in history like Winston Churchill and Alfred Hitchcock often seen in gentlemen’s clubs with one in their hand and a luxurious glass of whiskey in the other. Traditionally, cigars – Cubans, in particular – were luxury items that were bought and consumed only on special occasions, as importing them from Cuba came with a hefty price tag.
Although often still associated with rich aristocrats, politicians and wealthy businessmen, today, they’re more accessible than ever, which is great news if you enjoy indulging every once in a while.
One of the best places to get them? Swiss Cuban Cigars – which sells the best Cuban cigars available online, and prides itself on its experienced customer service team, who ensure that all its cigars are bona fide Cuban cigars, sold in their original sealed boxes. Easy and secure payments, premium cigars and the finest Cuban cigars online make Swiss Cuban Cigars one of the most popular sellers out there – and considering that fake Cuban cigars are a big problem in the sector, buying from a trusted seller like this is paramount to ensure you’re getting the very best for your money.
Given Swiss Cuban’s expertise in the field, we couldn’t think of anyone better to give us the lowdown on what to look for when it comes to seeking out the very finest cigars money can buy – and to give us a little bit of insider insight into prestigious luxury Cuban cigar brand, Bolivar.
Buying Cuban cigars online and avoiding fake cigars
Buying Cuban cigars is often about the range of brands on offer, with the discerning customer looking for plenty of choice and the chance to lay their hands on the types they know and love, as well as trying out new ones. Swiss Cuban Cigars boasts the largest selection available online and is a trusted seller for consumers who want the option of secure purchasing, relevant expertise, the sale to go smoothly and a no counterfeit guarantee. So, if you’re looking for the very finest without the headache, then it’s a no-brainer.
Look for great service and quality products
Cigar aficionados may smoke solely for pleasure of the taste, or they may have a strong interest in the exact provenance of every brand. This is where Swiss Cuban Cigars comes into its own, because as well as selling quality Cuban cigars in their own boxes and packaging, its team of customer service experts have a personal interest in its products – which means they know their products well and are perfectly placed to advise customers on what to buy, too.
This means that, unlike other websites, there is plenty of information on the brands themselves, as well as the price, shipping info and an excellent deal, which are all available on the online shop.
Swiss Cuban Cigars – reviewing the finest brands
Although it’s fair to say that other vendors may offer similar services to Swiss Cuban Cigars, no other luxury cigar retailer offers such a broad range of high-quality products, along with such fast delivery. So, if you want more from your Cuban cigar vendor than just the bare minimum, then it’s the only place to shop for yours.
Bolivar – a premium brand of Cuban cigars
One of the brands Swiss Cuban Cigars is proudest to stock is Bolivar – a world-famous name that is instantly recognisable amongst Cuban cigar enthusiasts and that has proved to be difficult to rival despite many efforts from competitors over the years. One of the biggest brands from Cuba, Bolivar cigars are extremely full-bodied and, traditionally, have always been one of the strongest of the Havana cigars, using a blend of tobacco leaves picked from the very top of the plant (known as ‘ligero’).
The Bolivar brand appears to have been founded at the very beginning of the 20th century – somewhere around 1901 or 1902 – by Jose F Rocha. It’s possible that the brand itself began life in Great Britain, although this isn’t confirmed, and Bolivar was registered as a brand name in Cuba (in Havana) in 1921, when it was owned by Rocha’s company – JF Rocha y Cia.
Full flavoured cigars, regardless of size
In the 1920s and 1930s, Bolivar became famous for making the smallest cigar in the world – the Delgado. The company became so well known for the Delgado that a tiny version was replicated for the Royal family’s children’s dollhouse at Windsor. The Delgado itself had a 20 ring gauge and was just under 54 mm long.
When Rocha died in 1954, the company was bought by Cifuentes y Cia. Production also moved to the Partagas factory based in Havana, which is now called the Francisco Perez German factory.
As one of the strongest cigars available, the Bolivar is often praised on review websites for its full flavour, but there are many varieties to choose from, depending on your personal taste.
Full range of Bolivars
Since the 1950s, there have been various additions to and omissions from the range, as well as special runs created especially for specific clients. For example, in 2004 a few thousand boxes of Bolivar Gold Medals were produced specifically for a German shop called Wolters.
This release kick started an interest in the previously discontinued size in Cervantes format, which came wrapped in gold foil in boxes of ten, and was very popular. The Gold medal was briefly reintroduced between 2007 and 2011, although it was once again discontinued later on.
The Bolivar range
The complete line of Bolivar cigars that are commercially available is vast. Here are some of the most popular, starting with the cigars that are handmade.
- Belicoso Fino moño (Campana).
- Bolivar Tubo bareto No. 1 (Corona).
- Bolivar Tubo No. 2 (Mareva).
- Bolivar Tubo No. 3 (Placera)
- Corona Gigante (Julieta No .2)
- Corona Junior (Minuto).
- Petit Corona (Mareva).
- Royal Corona (Robusto).
- Petit Belicoso (2009 limited release, Petit Belicoso).
Special edition regional releases include:
- Colosal (Germany 2006).
- Libertador (France 2006, 2007).
- Simon (Canada 2007, 2009).
- Double Corona (Middle East 2007).
- Short Bolívar (Asia Pacific 2008).
- Armonia (China 2008).
- Petit Libertador (France 2008).
- Legendario (Switzerland 2008).
- Fabulosos (Benelux 2009).
- 5at Avenida (Germany 2009).
- Especiales No. 2 (Germany 2009).
- Greco (Grecia y Chipre 2009).
- B-2 (Canada 2010).
Habanos Collection releases:
- Gold Medal (Cervantes).
- Libertadores (Sublimes).
- Gran Belicoso (2010, Rodolfo).
- Gran Belicoso (2011, Rodolfo).
A true Latin American hero
How the Bolivar brand get its name? According to the official story, Jose F Rocha decided to name the cigar brand after a famous Latin American hero – General Simon Bolivar. Bolivar was instrumental in leading the revolution that went on to liberate Latin America from Spain.
Legend has it that Bolivar’s particular brand of bravery was vital to this liberation from Spain – around two centuries after it was invaded. His bravery led to him being called El Liberador, and perhaps it was his power and strength that inspired the flavour of the brand named after him.
Here’s a bit more about Bolivar, the man who shows how the past can heavily influence a Habanos cigar name.
Bolivar is named for a revolutionary
Bolivar’s full name was Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar Palacios Ponte y Blanco. Born in Venezuela before later moving to Spain for his studies, it was at this time in his life that he travelled extensively around Europe and began to follow the ideas of the Enlightenment.
It is said that these ideas inspired him to return to South America in order to oust the colonial invaders. In the first decade or two of the 19th century, Bolivar was extremely important in establishing the sovereignty of Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Venezuela.
For all of these reasons, it feels like Bolivar is an extremely apt name for a cigar that’s renowned for its depth of flavour and popularity with consumers.
Ideal for a wedding gift or to smoke with friends, the Bolivar range always tends to sell very well.
Made in Cuba
Today, the Bolivar range continues to be made at the Partagas factory in Cuba. And, as a popular brand amongst Cuban cigar enthusiasts it’s unfortunately one that is commonly the subject of counterfeiting, too.
For every real Cuban sold, there are many fakes on the market. Buying from a site like Swiss Cuban Cigars comes with an in-built guarantee against fakes, with the company ensuring it is very clear about the high quality and authenticity of the cigars it sells.
If you’re a newcomer to Cuban cigars, it’s always advisable to buy only from a trusted site. Every box should be fully authentic, and it’s all too easy to get caught out by a fake, particularly if you omit to check out the website itself.
What to look for when buying Cubans
To avoid being duped by counterfeit cigars, look closely at the boxes, both inside and out. You should expect to see the correct dimensions and a pleasing symmetry to the cigars. They should all be properly aligned, all of a similar colour and size and show that they’re original.
The next thing to consider is packaging. Boxes should show the Habanos SA logo clearly in the top right hand corner and should also show a guarantee on the left hand side.
Finally, a great way to tell is the way your box of cigars smokes. True Cuban cigars will burn with a fine, grey ash and should end up looking a bit like salt and pepper, which is positive proof that they’re the real deal.
Check for positive reviews
Whether you’re buying cigars to store in your humidor for a rainy day, as a present for your friends or just because you like smoking them, ensure you buy from a site that guarantees you won’t be palmed off with a fake.
Swiss Cuban Cigars incorporate customer reviews on its site, as well as descriptions of Bolivars and the other brands and varieties it carries.
Remember that any company can say it is selling authentic Cuban cigars, but a closer look at the site or the odd review may show different. Reviews should be obviously independent and authentic in order to lend credibility to the seller.
Check the company before you buy
Prices are usually a good indicator, too. If you are looking at a quality brand and the price seems very low, then you should do some more checking. Shipping costs aside, the core price of the product should reflect its quality. For example, a recent review for the Bolivar Coronas Gigantes 2017 on the SCC site reads as follows:
“Excellent smokes, intense, and rich. Burns well, and easy draws. Beautiful sticks, smooth wrapper and well constructed. Fantastic aroma, and every stick can last for at least 1 and a half hour to fully enjoy the puffing sensation. Never stopped smoking them day after day. Great service, and well informed delivery.”
This is the kind of review that consumers should be looking for if they’re buying a box of Bolivars for the first time.
Bolivars – the last word
There’s nothing quite like opening a fresh box of your favourite cigars, cracking the cellophane and relaxing as you smoke one.
Bolivars, owing to their rich flavour, are not an entry level cigar but ideal for aficionados who are looking for a robust, deep and rewarding smoking experience. After all, Simon Bolivar died in 1830 a hero and as the ‘Liberator of America’, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that the cigar brand named for him is also known for being strong and powerful.
