Video review HERE.
(Description provided by STG)
STG’s Justin Andrews and Robert Caldwell have collaborated to create Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found, a limited edition collection created in Caldwell’s tradition of bringing “forgotten tobacco” from Central America’s best cigar factories to cigar lovers in the US.
In 2021, Robert Caldwell and Justin Andrews traveled to Honduras, where they were given full-fettered access to the vast tobacco library of the legendary HATSA factory in Danlí. They centered on a reserve of burlap-wrapped bales containing 5-8 year old Ecuadoran Sumatra and Connecticut Broadleaf. These tobaccos would ultimately form the building blocks of Bolivar Cofradia, two limited edition blends crafted at HATSA.
Given the rarity of the tobaccos used in the blends, Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found will be released in a limited run of five packs.
Justin Andrews said, “Bolivar Cofradia made waves when we re-launched the brand in 2020. It’s fitting that we’re now partnering with Robert Caldwell, given that he’s made a lot of noise in the premium cigar category with his Lost & Found line. This collaboration gave us the opportunity to work with the hidden gems waiting to be discovered in our tobacco library, and we’ve definitely done them justice.”
Robert Caldwell noted, “Lost & Found started when a Central American factory gave me a rare blend to sell in the US, and today with the release of this capsule collection from Bolivar Cofradia, it feels like Lost & Found has come full circle. I would have never imagined standing among a sea of bales at HATSA, knowing that any tobacco we wanted to blend with was available to Justin and me. This collection represents the power of a strong collaboration.”
Handcrafted at HATSA, Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found comes in two varieties, Natural and Oscuro.
Called EMS, the natural blend features 5-8 year-aged Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, with a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Dominican, Nicaraguan and Honduran filler. This is a mild to medium bodied smoke with subtle notes of pepper balanced by earth and sweetness. An approachable and symmetrical smoke, EMS delivers a smoking experience best compared to that of a vintage cigar.
Artwork on the five packs depicts a modern day and a historical figure riding a chopper, nodding to both the collaboration and the age of the tobaccos. As to which character represents Justin and which one represents Robert, there’s no right answer.
Available vitolas:
Robusto EMS (5” x 54) – SRP per cigar $6.99 REVIEWED TODAY
Toro EMS (6” x 54) – SPR per cigar $7.49
The cigar looks nice and has an good feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a nice peach/apricot, tangy orange citrus, brown sugar, cinnamon, creamy nutmeg, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. A pretty good start.
At the first third (31 minutes) I had most of the same flavors; citrus which is sweet and tangy, peach/apricot, brown sugar, light cinnamon, citrus peel, creamy nutmeg, and black coffee. The finish is apricot, citrus peel, nutmeg, and pretty good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. The cigar is very tasty at this point. I rated the first third 92.
Moving through the second third (58 minutes) the cigar made a jump in sweetness. The citrus, apricot/peach, and brown sugar made a nice increase. The citrus peel dropped off helping the sweeter notes move up. The cigar is a low grade medium to full. The finish is peach, nutmeg, and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar made a nice move up. I rated the second third 94.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 17 minutes. The cigar reverted back to the way it was in the first third. The citrus peel came back and it's noticeable. The lead flavor on the front end is now peach. The cigar is a low grade medium to full bodied. The finish is peach, nutmeg, and very good lingering black pepper. I found this to be a good cigar and it's priced right. I rated the final third 92. I would suggest giving these a try. You can purchase these cigars HERE.
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