Bolívar 109 5th Avenida (ER Germany) (Prerelease)

The Bolívar 109 5th Avenida is yet another Edición Regional released this year. The specific size revives a format that has not been manufactured for over 35 years and represents the original format of the Partagás Lusitanias and the Ramon Allones Gigantes. According to Min Ron Nee, in his book Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars, cigars of the 109 shape were the predecessors of today’s Double Coronas.

What is special about these cigars is the unique parejos shape. Basically, it is cylindrical, i.e. the same ring gauge from head to foot, but its head is shaped conically, which makes it extremely difficult to roll.

The name 5th Avenida, which means literally fifth avenue, has a duel meaning: it is the Spanish name of the German Habanos importer 5th Avenue, and it commemorates the famous street in the Miramar area of Havana.

The Bolívar 5th Avenida will be sold in boxes of 20 and there will be a total of 3,000 boxes available. Each box will be individually numbered with a plaque affixed to the box and will have a second band Exclusively for Germany.

• Cigar Reviewed: Bolívar 109 5th Avenida (Edición Regional Alemania 2009)
• Country of Origin: Cuba
• Factory: Francisco Perez German
• Wrapper: Cuba
• Binder: Cuba
• Filler: Cuba
• Size: 7 1/4 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 50
• Vitola: 109
• Est. Price: $26 (Boxes of 20, $520)
• Number of Cigars Released: 3,000 Boxes of 20 Cigars (60,000 Total Cigars)
• Release Date: 2009

The wrapper on the cigar is a very nice light golden brown, albeit with very noticeable veins running up and down the length of it. The wrapper is flawless construction wise and smells faintly of cinnamon and tobacco. The cigar is very spongy when squeezed, almost to the point of distraction) yet still seems very dry.

After lighting, I was expecting a bit of a kick as most cigars these days give, but in the first few puffs all I got was a little spice and a very woody taste. As the stick progressed a bit, the spice increased Just a little bit. It seemed to me to have a very typical Cuban flavor and a very mild beginning.

The second third started out the same as the first. It was woodsy with a touch of spice and perhaps a bit of floral as well, but nothing to write home about. I got a bit of cedar as well, but again, almost nothing all that interesting.

The final third did not change at all, all the way down to the nub. More woody, more cedar and more mild spice. I am a bit surprised that a cigar’s profile could remain almost exactly the same during nearly seven and a half inches of smoking, but apparently it is possible. Having said that, it did not get bitter, even at the nub, although it did burn a bit hot in the last half inch.

Final Notes

• This cigar was reviewed blind.
• This was a very mild cigar, almost like smoking air. I bet you would get more enjoyment out of huffing wood primer.
• The draw was perfect all the way through and the burn sucked for about two inches, but then evened out to perfection for the rest of the stick.
• It was a fairly fast burning stick for its size and only took one hour and 21 minutes to finish.