The Bolivar brand of cigars is one of the most famous brands of Cuban cigars, first introduced in 1901 by Jose F. Rocha but wasn’t actually registered in Havana until 1921. The name comes from the famous South-American revolutionary, Simon Bolivar, who liberated countries such as Venezuela, Columbia, Peru and Bolivia. After Rocha’s death, the company was taken over by Cifuentes y Cia and production was moved to the Partagas Factory in Havana.
Bolivar cigars have the reputation of being stronger and more full-bodied with a perfect construction and consistency; therefore tend to be preferred by the more experienced smoker. Bolivar were producing a range of hand-made and machine-made cigars using Vuelta Abajo tobacco up until Altadis bought a controlling share in Habanos SA when all but the cigarillo sized chicos were cut from the machine-made line. This was due to the idea that Cuban cigar brands should either make hand-made OR machine-made cigars rather than both.
Today, the Bolivar brand continues to produce a large range of hand-rolled cigars including 2012 UK regional edition the Bolivar Británicas.