Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found Oscuro Robusto – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

This past February, STG and Forged Cigar Company announced a collaboration for the Bolivar brand. The new line, dubbed Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found, is the result of the work of STG’s Justin Andrews and Caldwell Cigars and Lost & Found, Robert Caldwell. This cigar was not a cigar that had already been rolled that was lost and found like most other Lost & Found projects, but it keeps with the tradition because the tobacco had been “forgotten.”

Caldwell and Andrews took a trip to Honduras in 2021. There, they had full access to the large reserve of tobacco in the HATSA factory in Danlí. One of the items they discovered was a reserve of burlap-wrapped bales containing 5-8 year old Ecuadoran Sumatra and Connecticut Broadleaf. These tobaccos are the basis for the Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found. It comes in two different blends both made at HATSA. Since the tobacco is limited, Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found is only sold in a limited run of five packs.

The Oscuro version is made with a 5-8-year-aged Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, an Ecuadoran Sumatra binder and Dominican, Nicaraguan and Honduran filler. Both blends come in the same two sizes and prices: Robusto 5” x 54 MSRP per cigar $6.99, and Toro 6” x 54 MSPR per cigar $7.49. The Artwork on the soft pack shows a modern day and a historical figure riding a chopper, an homage to both the collaboration and the age of the tobaccos. As to which character represents Justin and which one represents Robert, the company says they are leaving that a mystery.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua
Factory: STG Danlí
Blender: Justin Andrews, Robert Caldwell
Number of reviewers: 5 – Chris M. (Chris) Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard) Angel M. (Angel) Jai P. (Jai) Randy B. (randobush)
Price: $6.99
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: February 2022
Contributed by: Forged Cigar Company

Initial Impressions – Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found Oscuro Robusto

Appearance: 87

“Dark brown, slightly mottled wrapper. A fairly rustic looking roll, with some lumps, lifted seams, and a sloppy cap.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 89

“Not a powerful aroma detected, but there is earth, leather, & hay detectable with a quick sniff of the foot.” –Randy B. (randobush)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Out the gate, delicious! Nice creamy oily mouth feels, picking up vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa flavors mixed with sweet tobacco, very rich flavors. The flavors remain pretty consistent throughout the first third, which is perfect considering I’m enjoying every flavor. So far feels like a medium-bodied cigar. Razor-sharp burn throughout the first third with a tight solid Ash.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“The first thing I notice is the smooth and creamy retrohale! A lot going on here the first few draws. Cinnamon, caramel, baking spice, salted butter, and a tiny hint of white pepper on the finish. The finish is medium, and last between draws, but it takes two draws to get the desired mouthful of smoke. Not a bad draw at all, it just is what it is. Razor-sharp burn 1” in, with superfine white ash.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“There’s an added creaminess to the baking spice in the second third that leaves me with a very satisfied palate, like comfort food, smooth and relaxing. There’s bitter chocolate, cayenne, hints still of caramel, and salt. The finish is still medium, but a bit of strength coming through now. The burn is still sharp, and no flaws in performance. Ash holding 3” in.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“The hay gave way to a more grassy flavor as the spice began to settle down.” –Jai P. (Jai)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Oak carries a bit less bite with the cream mostly attached to it. Walnut has shifted to more of a dry peanut. Cedar at a moderate level, with citrus just above the background. The spice remains minimal but has adopted more of a vegetal hot pepper quality to it. A bit of cinnamon nearing the nub.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Subtle changes in the final third, with a nice cedar zing to the retrohale now, but it’s welcome and tolerable. Black coffee, salty & savory butter, cayenne, and baking spice with a bit of cinnamon are what I’m tasting at the end.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Overall Impressions – Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found Oscuro Robusto

Draw: 91

“Took two easy puffs to get the desired mouth smoke, but this did not take away from the smoking experience.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Burn: 97

“Excellent burn, razor-sharp never needing touch-ups. The ash held on tightly all the way through the second third at which time I tapped it off it did not fall off.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Construction: 94

“The cap came off, but the cigar held together to the very end.” –Jai P. (Jai)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 90

“Though this cigar stumbled for me a bit in the second third, the first and final held their own. More body than strength, fairly transitional and complex. Not generally my go-to flavor profile, but definitely one I could see myself revisiting occasionally.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Flavors were ok, the construction was average. Not a bad experience.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)

“This was a very very enjoyable cigar, there were no extreme flavor transitions in fact the flavors seem to mildly transition at the appropriate times staying pretty consistent throughout the whole smoking experience. All the flavors highlighted in the cigar being cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, leather, and sweet aged tobacco were perfectly balanced for me and came and went at the appropriate times. The draw and construction of the cigar were impeccable making for an overall excellent cigar and a great smoking experience. This is definitely a cigar I would smoke again and recommend to anyone who enjoys cigars. As for pairings, I think the cigar would be excellent with a mocha style coffee or an oatmeal stout.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“Great construction with a wonderful burn. A mild cigar with subtle spice and notes of grass and hay. A simple smoke, yet enjoyable down to the fingers.” –Jai P. (Jai)

“Really a well-performing, flavorful cigar. It was tasty, with an assortment of flavors transitioning, that held my attention for the whole smoke. I’d smoke it again.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 64

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Bolivar Cofradia Lost & Found Oscuro Robusto – Blind Cigar Review