Those that know Robert Caldwell, know about his Lost & Found projects. These usnique vintage cigars are what Caldwell has discovered during his travels through the world of cigars and are in short supply and tend to be sought after by enthusiasts. Robert donates proceeds from Lost & Found Projects to support specific charities as part of his GAF (Give a F@ck) Program and help raise money for inner-city education.
This year Justin Andrews of STG North America (Parent of General Cigars) and Robert Caldwell teamed up on two special blends for the Lost and Found. The project started when the two were on a trip to Danli, Honduras and came upon some bales of tobacco that had been aging for between 5 – 8 years. Caldwell knew right there he had something unique in front of him and the tow embarked on a creating a new Boliva Cofradia branded with Lost & Found.
In a press release earlier this year, 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.”
The word Cofradia translates to ‘a group or organization of Roman Catholic laymen in Mexico and Central America responsible for the material care of religious images, pilgrimages, and ceremonies’.
Of course the word can be used in various sentences and the meaning can be interpreted through its usage. So in the case of the cigar, one might consider this is the result of a pilgrimage down to Central America by Caldwell and Andrews that resulted in finding the leaf for this blend.
The project itself, resulted in two blends, a Connecticut broadleaf Oscuro (dark) and an EMS (English Market Standard) also known as a natural, lighter shade.
Today’s review focuses on the EMS which has a bold blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Binder – U.S.A. Connecticut broadleaf
- Filler – Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua
It is expressed in two vitolas and comes packaged in paper wrapped 5-packs:
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $6.99
- Toro (6 x 54) – MSRP $7.49
It should be noted that the Oscuro blend comes in the same vitolas, packages, and prices. These also, like all Lost & Found brands are a one time release.
For this review I sampled 3 of the Bolivar Cofradia by Lost & Found EMS Toros that I received from General Cigar Co, for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Bolivar Cofradia by Lost & Found EMS sports a marbled, medium to dark brown oily wrapper that has some noticeable veins running along the barrel. The cigar feels and looks solidly packed from head to foot. A simple cap finishes the construction.
Two bands adorn the cigar. Both use a gold, red, and white motif with the primary band boldly declaring the name “BOLIVAR COFRADIA EMS” in the center. I do like the look of the band, as it pops on the dark background of the wrapper. The secondary band is places just below the primary nd notes that this is the BOLIVAR X LOST & FOUND.
Running the cigar along the nose I picked up an enticing baking spice note along the barrel while the foot exudes notes of earth and pungent fermented leaf aromas.
I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draw puffs that offered notes of white peppery spice that found its way to the back of the throat along with a mild tanginess.
Using y double flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first complex puffs of smoke that included pepper, natural sweetness, cocoa, and nut. Wow, great start to the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Pleasant start as the palate is greeted with a touch of pepper and a balancing natural sweetness
- Subtle cocoa and nut notes quickly join the pleasurable profile
- White ash forms on thick char line that exhibits a slight jaggedness
- Tangy fruit notes enter the mix
- Butter cracker notes join the profile along with pleasant cedar nuances
- Rich dark chocolate notes begin to evolve
- Ash fell in a solid chunk revealing a well formed burn cone
- Dry cocoa powder notes wrap the early butter cracker in the second third
- Spice notes takes it down to the final
- Cigar started to burn hot to the touch in the final
- Medium – Plus in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 50 minutes
Final Analysis
I found the Bolivar Cofradia by Lost & Found EMS to be a very pleasant and flavorful experience. The profile was filled with both nuanced and rich notes that kept the palate interested from foot to nub. I most certainly enjoyed how the dark chocolate notes evolved moving into the second third along with the every present natural tobacco sweetness. This cigar is in fact, one of those cigars that I have put a couple away just because I will want to smoke it for that special moment. Buy multiple 5-packs if you can find them. I rate this a 92.
Point Deductions: (-2) Burns Hot in Final; (-1) Mild Jag in The Burn;
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy Multiple Five Packs
