When was the Bolívar Petit Coronas Especiales discontinued?

The Bolívar Petit Coronas Especiales was officially discontinued in 2012. Previously a staple in the brand's regular production lineup, this machine-made vitola measured 129mm in length with a 42 ring gauge. Despite its long history as an accessible entry point to the Bolívar brand, Habanos S.A. removed it from catalogs during one of their production rationalizations. Today, finding an authentic box requires navigating the secondary market, as it is no longer available through standard retail distribution channels.

What does the Bolívar Petit Coronas Especiales taste like?

This cigar delivers the classic Bolívar profile of earthiness and spice, but with a unique twist due to its machine-made construction and shorter format. Smokers can expect prominent notes of cedar, leather, and a distinct peppery finish on the palate. While it lacks the complexity of hand-rolled counterparts like the Royal Coronas, it provides a consistent, robust flavor experience. The blend is medium to full-bodied, staying true to the brand's reputation for strength, making it a suitable option for a quick, intense smoke.

Is the Bolívar Petit Coronas Especiales worth the money?

As a discontinued machine-made cigar, its value proposition has changed significantly from its retail days. Originally, it served as an affordable, short smoke lasting 30 to 40 minutes. Currently, prices on the secondary market reflect its collectible status rather than its smoking utility. For collectors seeking a piece of Bolívar history, it remains a worthy acquisition. However, for a daily smoker seeking value, other current production hand-rolled options in the Bolívar line, such as the Belicosos Finos, offer superior construction and complexity for the price.

Bolívar Petit Coronas Especiales

First rolled as a machine-made vitola, the Bolívar Petit Coronas Especiales served in the brand's regular production lineup for several decades before its eventual discontinuation. This cigar offers collectors and enthusiasts a glimpse into an earlier era of Cuban cigar manufacturing, when machine-made cigars played a more prominent role in brand portfolios.

Historical Background

The Petit Coronas Especiales entered the market prior to 1960, making it one of the older releases in the Bolívar catalog. The cigar remained in production through the early decades following the Cuban Revolution, eventually being phased out during the 1980s. Its lengthy production run speaks to its acceptance among smokers of the era, even as the industry gradually shifted toward greater emphasis on handmade cigars.

Bolivar Petit Coronas Especiales — Cuban cigar

Specifications

Factory Name	Eminentes (old designation)
Ring Gauge	44
Length	132 mm (5¼ inches)
Official Weight	8.74 grams
Construction	Machine-made
Band	Standard band A
Packaging	Dress box of 25 cigars, each in cellophane
Production Status	Discontinued
Production Period	Pre-1960 through 1980s

Construction and Presentation

As a machine-made cigar, the Petit Coronas Especiales was produced using automated equipment rather than hand-rolling techniques. This method of construction was common for certain price points and market segments during the mid-20th century, allowing manufacturers to maintain consistency while meeting demand for more accessible offerings.

The cigar featured Bolívar's standard band A design and was presented in dress boxes containing 25 cigars. Each individual cigar was wrapped in cellophane, providing protection and preserving freshness—a packaging approach that reflected the practical considerations of the era.

Collectibility Today

Given its discontinuation in the 1980s and its pre-1960 introduction, the Bolívar Petit Coronas Especiales has become a sought-after item among collectors of vintage Cuban cigars. Surviving boxes and individual cigars occasionally appear at auction, though their machine-made nature places them in a different collecting category than their handmade counterparts. For students of Cuban cigar history, this vitola represents an important artifact from a transitional period in the industry's evolution.