AshMap
Overview
There is a particular breed of smoker who finds the modern cigar landscape too polite. They miss the era when Havana didn't whisper—it demanded. The Bolivar Tubos No. 2 is a relic of that louder, more assertive school, a cigar that arrives in its aluminum sheath like a manifesto. It is not the most famous Lonsdale in the Cuban portfolio—that honor often goes to the more delicate Por Larrañaga—but this is the one that bites back. It is the thinking smoker's Bolivar, trading the blunt force of the Belicoso Fino for a longer, more articulate argument that unfolds over two hours of concentrated attention. The tube is not packaging; it is a promise of preservation, a micro-environment that keeps the Colorado-hued wrapper supple and the oils bright until the moment you twist it open.
From the first cold draw, the intent is clear. The lips meet a peppery snap, a prelude to the dark espresso and raw cocoa powder that coat the tongue before the flame even touches the foot. Once lit, the opening salvo is dense and unapologetic: a wave of charred oak and dry earth that speaks to the Vuelta Abajo soil with a minerality that is almost ferrous. There is a cedar thread that runs through the smoke, a structural element that keeps the power from becoming monolithic. The retrohale is a sharp, white pepper assault that clears the sinuses and announces that this is not a cigar for the faint of heart. It is a first third that establishes a thesis with the bluntness of a hammer, yet leaves enough nuance in the smoke to suggest a more complex argument is coming.
As the ash holds firm and the burn line marches past the halfway point, the cigar begins its transformation. The pepper, while still present, retreats to the background, allowing a rich dark chocolate to emerge, followed by the unmistakable funk of cured leather and a strange, compelling iron-like note that tastes like licking a well-worn coin. This is where the blend's architecture becomes apparent—the ligero providing the spine, the seco the melody, and the volado the rhythm. A sweetness begins to creep in around the edges, not cloying but profound: dried fig and molasses that cling to the palate, creating a counterpoint to the savory, earthy base. The complexity here is not a matter of fleeting hints but of stacked, interlocking flavors that demand you slow down and parse each one.
The final third is a masterclass in controlled descent. Rather than losing focus or turning harsh, the cigar deepens its resolve. The syrupy tobacco sweetness becomes thicker, almost resinous, and is met by a return of bitter espresso and the dry, oaky char from the opening. A note of dark cherry preserves—a Bolivar signature when aged well—lingers on the finish alongside cedar resin. The strength builds steadily toward the nub, a full-bodied crescendo that rewards patience. If you push it too fast, it will punish you with heat, but smoked unhurriedly, it ends with a satisfying, contemplative silence. This is a cigar that does not simply end; it concludes, leaving a long, peppery-sweet memory that begs for a slow sip of something aged.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban-seed Vuelta Abajo, Cuba — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo ligero, seco, and volado — long-aged Havana leaf |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann factory (La Corona) |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.5 x 42 |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $30–$40 per cigar (subject to regional import pricing and duty) |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Benefits significantly from 3–5 years of additional cellaring; factory leaf typically aged 2–3 years before rolling |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with dark roasted coffee, raw cocoa powder, and a peppery snap on the lips. Once lit, the first third delivers a dense wave of dark espresso, charred oak, and a base note of dry earth — quintessentially Bolivar in its assertiveness. There is a pleasant cedar note threading through, with a retro-hale producing sharp white pepper.
Second Third
The middle third is where this cigar earns its reputation — the pepper tempers slightly and makes room for rich dark chocolate, cured leather, and a mineral, almost iron-like note. Sweetness begins to emerge: dried fig, molasses, and a whisper of aged tobacco funk that marks well-constructed Havana leaf. Complexity stacks considerably here.
Final Third
The final third deepens rather than loses control — thick, syrupy tobacco sweetness mingles with bitter espresso and a return of dry earth and oak char. A lingering note of dark cherry preserves and cedar resin marks the finish. Strength builds toward the nub but never becomes harsh if the cigar is smoked unhurriedly.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is typically excellent — the draw is slightly firm, as is characteristic of hand-rolled Cuban cigars, delivering focused, condensed smoke. The burn can meander occasionally on specimens that have not been properly humidified, but corrects with patience; ash is firm and grey-white, holding 1–1.5 inches with ease.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum (Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Zacapa 23) — the rum's caramel and vanilla soften Bolivar's aggression beautifully; alternatively, a peated Scotch single malt such as Lagavulin 16 doubles down on the smoke and earthy intensity for those who want full force.
Wine
A structured Ribera del Duero Tempranillo (Vega Sicilia Único or Pesquera Reserva) — the wine's dark fruit, leather, and dusty tannins are natural counterparts to Bolivar's full-bodied profile.
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian or Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee — bright acidity and dark berry notes create a nuanced dialogue with the cigar's espresso and dried fruit character.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a dedicated humidor, not a drawer, and who has already walked the path from mild to medium and found themselves bored. They are the type who, on a Sunday afternoon when the house is quiet and the phone is on silent, will pour a glass of Havana Club 15 Año and sit on the porch with the intention of not moving for two hours. They already appreciate the finesse of a Cohiba Siglo IV but secretly crave the aggression of a Ramon Allones. They are not looking for a casual smoke; they are looking for a conversation with the leaf. This cigar will give them that—a demanding, rewarding dialogue that requires their full attention, offering a spectrum of flavors that shifts with every inch, and leaving them with the satisfied feeling of having earned the complexity they found.
Bottom Line
The Bolivar Tubos No. 2 is a definitive expression of classic Havana power, refined by a longer format that allows its aggression to evolve into profound complexity. It is a must-have for the purist who understands that a Lonsdale ring gauge is not a compromise, but a precision instrument. Buy it, age it, and respect it—it will reward you with one of the most articulate full-bodied experiences in the Cuban canon.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Bolivar cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bolivar Tubos No. 2 a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Full (4/5) in strength. Physically, this manifests as a noticeable nicotine presence that builds steadily from the first third to the nub, producing a warming sensation and a slight buzz for most smokers. It is not a nicotine bomb, but it demands respect and should be smoked on a full stomach to avoid lightheadedness.
What does Bolivar Tubos No. 2 taste like?
The flavor profile is a progression: it opens with dark roasted coffee, charred oak, dry earth, and white pepper on the retrohale. The middle third introduces dark chocolate, cured leather, a mineral iron note, and a sweetness of dried fig and molasses. The final third deepens into syrupy tobacco sweetness, bitter espresso, dark cherry preserves, and cedar resin.
How long does Bolivar Tubos No. 2 take to smoke?
Given its Lonsdale vitola and 6.5 x 42 dimensions, you should allocate between 1.5 to 2 hours for a full, unhurried session. The narrow ring gauge means it burns slower than a robusto, and the dense filler requires a deliberate, measured puffing cadence to avoid overheating.
What is the best pairing for Bolivar Tubos No. 2?
An aged Cuban rum like Havana Club 15 Año is the ideal companion. The rum's caramel and vanilla sweetness acts as a counterbalance to the cigar's aggressive pepper and earthy intensity, softening the edges and allowing the dried fruit notes to shine. For a non-alcoholic option, a bright Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee creates a dialogue between its dark berry acidity and the cigar's espresso and cocoa notes.
Is Bolivar Tubos No. 2 good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. Its Full strength rating can overwhelm a palate not yet accustomed to high nicotine levels, and its $30–$40 per cigar price point makes it a costly lesson. A novice should start with milder Cuban options like a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 or a Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill before attempting this assertive Lonsdale.
Where can I buy Bolivar Tubos No. 2?
As a premium, hand-rolled Cuban cigar, it is available through official Habanos S.A. distributors in countries where Cuban cigars are legally sold. This includes La Casa del Habano franchises, authorized specialist retailers in markets like the UK, Spain, Switzerland, and Hong Kong, or reputable online vendors that ship from these jurisdictions. Avoid unauthorized sources to guarantee authenticity.
What is the price of Bolivar Tubos No. 2?
The price is typically in the $30–$40 range per cigar, though this is subject to significant regional import pricing and duty taxes. In high-tax markets like the UK or Australia, you may pay considerably more, while in duty-free or lower-tax regions like Andorra or Lebanon, it may be closer to the lower end of that spectrum.
Is Bolivar Tubos No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. The data indicates it benefits significantly from 3–5 years of additional cellaring, on top of the 2–3 years the factory leaf already has. With age, the aggressive pepper and raw power mellow, allowing the dried fruit, leather, and mineral notes to integrate into a more seamless, complex profile that some aficionados compare to a well-aged Cohiba Siglo VI.
What wrapper does Bolivar Tubos No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban-seed Vuelta Abajo wrapper from Cuba, specifically in a Colorado shade. This wrapper is rich amber-brown with a subtle oily sheen and fine tooth. It contributes the initial peppery snap, the charred oak notes, and the underlying earthy minerality that defines the cigar's assertive character.
Where is Bolivar Tubos No. 2 made?
It is made in Havana, Cuba, at the H. Upmann factory, which is also known as La Corona. It is a hand-rolled tripa larga (long filler) cigar, meaning the filler leaves are laid longitudinally by skilled torcedores, a process that allows for the complex flavor development and the slightly firm draw characteristic of premium Cuban construction.