PCA 2023: Bolivar

The return of Forged Cigar Company brought back many iconic brands to the 2023 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. One of those brands that is making a return is Bolivar. While Bolivar has been an iconic brand out of Cuba, when it comes to the U.S. market, it’s been a little hit or miss. Many will remember the attempt to “modernize” Bolivar back in 2015 under Foundry Cigars. It’s been eight years since we’ve seen Bolivar being showcased at the PCA Trade Show. That has changed in 2023 as Bolivar is back at PCA, and it’s a part of Forged Cigar Company’s portfolio of brands.

A couple of years ago, Forged quietly brought back the Bolivar Cofradia. This year, Forged has released the Bolivar Gran Republic. The blend consists of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Brazilian Arapiraca binder and fillers from Colombia, Brazil, and Nicaragua. Simon Bolivar (the namesake of the brand), who has been called the “George Washington of South America,” led the liberation efforts for two of the countries that have tobacco included in the blend: Ecuador and Colombia. The cigar comes in three sizes presented in 20-count boxes: Robusto (4 1/2 x 50, SRP $7.99/cigar), Toro (6 x 54, SRP $8.29/cigar), and Gigante (6 x 60, SRP $8.49/cigar. Production comes from the HATSA factory in Honduras.