Bolívar Libertador LCDH 2014: Power and Prestige Forged in a Legendary Format

Konstantin Denishev
Jul 23
8 min read

Updated: Nov 22

The Bolívar Libertador La Casa del Habano: A Bold Declaration

The Bolívar Libertador La Casa del Habano, first released in 2013 and widely distributed in 2014, is more than just a cigar; it's a declaration. Originally crafted exclusively for La Casa del Habano (LCDH) franchises around the world, this bold and majestic smoke represents the perfect confluence of Cuban strength, refined elegance, and historical reverence. Towering in stature and equally grand in profile, the Libertador quickly earned its place in the upper echelons of modern Cuban releases.

This was no ordinary LCDH release. The 2014 first edition of the Bolívar Libertador brought back the beloved Sublimes vitola, famously used in standout cigars like the Cohiba Sublimes EL 2004, La Gloria Cubana Inmensos LCDH, and Montecristo Sublimes EL 2008, and dressed it in the unmistakable bravado of the Bolívar marca. For aficionados who crave depth, intensity, and a sense of grandeur, the Libertador offered exactly that and more.

The Bolivar Libertador: A Tale of Two Releases

The Bolívar Libertador carries a reputation built on precision, rarity, and layered identity. It stands today as a recognised La Casa del Habano exclusive, yet its story began in a very different place.

The first Bolívar Libertador appeared in 2006 as a French Regional Edition. It used the commanding Sublimes format, a 54 ring gauge and 164 mm length. Production was split across two runs in that first year, 1200 boxes of 25 and 3000 boxes of 10. Demand grew fast. France secured a second release in 2007 with 2400 boxes of 25 and 4000 boxes of 10, followed by a final expression in 2008 known as the Petit Libertador, produced in 3000 boxes of 25 and 2800 boxes of 10. These numbers cemented the cigar as one of the most collected and discussed entries in the Regional Edition programme.

As interest increased, the French distributor pushed for a broader expression of the marca. This resulted in Habanos approving a transition from regional release to global boutique exclusive. The reborn Bolívar Libertador emerged as a La Casa del Habano edition in 2013, with distribution to LCDH shops worldwide beginning in 2014. A detail that collectors value is that some of the very first boxes carry 2013 box codes, even though the recognised market release is set as 2014.

The modern LCDH Libertador uses the same Sublimes vitola and remains rolled totalmente a mano with long filler from Vuelta Abajo. Its profile presents greater polish and structure compared to its early French counterparts, reflecting the LCDH positioning and elevated production standards associated with the line.

Both versions share the same name and shape, but they represent different moments in Habanos history. The early regional runs were limited French exclusives with strict box counts. The later LCDH edition became a global ambassador for the Bolívar brand, shaped by the strong demand that began in France.

Each expression carries the Libertador character. It is bold, resonant, and built to honour the legacy of Simón Bolívar, a figure defined by determination and vision.

The Bolívar Libertador is far more than just a striking name. It is a cigar steeped in layered history and nuanced identity. Though it now proudly occupies a place on the shelves of La Casa del Habano boutiques, its origins trace back to an entirely different beginning.

A Special Role in the LCDH Line-Up

Being a La Casa del Habano exclusive means more than limited distribution. These cigars are intended to represent the best of the best, crafted with hand-selected leaves, produced in restricted quantities, and available only through authorized LCDH retailers. That makes the Bolívar Libertador (2014) not just a cigar, but a destination one that aficionados would travel miles for.

In fact, I made my way personally to Milan, Italy to collect my boxes. There, tucked inside the elegant LCDH humidor of Via della Spiga, I first laid eyes on the deep red varnished boxes, branded with both the Bolívar band and the distinctive LCDH secondary band. The moment was electric, like discovering treasure that had waited patiently to find its rightful keeper.

That’s what the Libertador does. It connects geography, history, and luxury in a way few cigars ever manage.

Vitola Details

Factory Name: Sublimes
Commercial Name: Libertador
Dimensions: Ring gauge 54 × Length 164 mm (6.5 inches)
Construction: Totalmente a mano, tripa larga (handmade, long filler)
Wrapper: Cuban, dark colorado with a rich oil sheen
Binder & Filler: Cuban, from Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Río)
Strength: Full-bodied
Packaging: 25-count varnished boxes, LCDH banded

This vitola is not for the casual smoker. With its generous ring gauge and extended length, it offers a drawn-out, luxurious smoke that evolves in stages. The Sublimes format, thick and meaty, was chosen not just for its visual impact but for its ability to showcase bold blends with balance and nuance.

First Impressions

Even before lighting, the Bolívar Libertador makes an impression. The wrapper is dark, gleaming, and slightly toothy, beautifully applied with minimal veins and a clean triple cap. The aroma at cold is potent: barnyard, cocoa powder, fermented earth, and a hint of sweet raisin. The cold draw reveals an early presence of leather, salted peanuts, and fresh ground black pepper, foreshadowing what’s to come.

Upon ignition, the cigar immediately asserts its strength. The smoke is thick, oily, and textured. Flavours of black coffee, dark wood, and mineral-rich soil dominate early, with a retrohale that bites, delivering white pepper, cumin, and charred almond. It’s bold, yes, but not reckless. This is measured power, the kind you savour slowly, and with respect.

Flavour Profile

The Bolívar Libertador delivers a full-bodied, multidimensional journey—one that rewards time, patience, and a refined palate. Its profile evolves with slow-burning complexity, offering a tapestry of flavours that are bold, earthy, and laced with a surprising elegance.

First Third

The cigar opens with remarkable authority. Straight away, notes of earth, charcoal, and dark roasted espresso dominate the palate. There’s a striking presence of black pepper through the retrohale, but it’s quickly met with an undercurrent of molasses and cacao husk, softening the blow.

The texture of the smoke is dense and chewy, clinging to the palate. The wrapper’s oils are active now, layering the mouthfeel with a velvety touch. As the burn line progresses, the power remains steady, but a harmony begins to develop: a touch of salted liquorice, a whiff of sweet hay, and the slightest floral edge that flickers between draws.

A minerality reminiscent of wet slate appears mid-way through the first third, balancing the rich, savoury elements and giving the cigar its trademark Bolívar backbone.

Second Third

This is where the Libertador enters its stride. Flavours shift toward dark chocolate, leather armchair, and burnt toffee. The smoke sweetens ever so slightly, bringing with it echoes of dried dates, walnuts, and a subtle undertone of paprika. Complexity builds without jarring transitions—it’s a refined, deliberate unfolding of layers.

The strength increases, moving into unmistakable full-bodied territory, yet the cigar remains balanced. The retrohale at this point is a masterclass in depth: cedar, black pepper, black tea, and an unusual but welcome hint of balsamic vinegar, which adds a mouthwatering tang.

By the halfway point, the construction proves exemplary. The burn is sharp, the draw remains open and resistance-free, and the ash holds firm—sometimes well past the two-inch mark. There’s a tangible sense of control in every puff.

Final Third

In the final stretch, the Bolívar Libertador returns to its most primal notes: charred oak, raw cacao, and a deeply satisfying savoury kick. Flavours of dried beef, black truffle, and toasted clove emerge, lending an almost umami quality to the finish.

The cigar demands slower smoking now—not because it’s overpowering, but because there’s so much to appreciate in its final act. The nicotine level rises, creating a warming sensation behind the eyes, while the palate experiences lingering notes of anise, cedar resin, and a final flourish of molasses and black pepper.

The finish is long and layered, echoing well beyond the last puff. It’s bold, masculine, but never brutish—like a whispered war story from an old general: commanding, measured, and unforgettable.

Construction and Performance

When it comes to build quality, the Bolívar Libertador (2014) stands as a reference point for what a premium Cuban cigar should be. From the moment it’s removed from the box, everything about its presentation is flawless:

The wrapper: oily and dark with only the lightest of veins.
The seams: virtually invisible.
The triple cap: masterfully applied.
The weight: perfectly balanced, neither over-packed nor airy.

Each cigar feels consistent, and each one smokes like it was rolled with personal care. The draw is exceptional, producing billows of thick, creamy smoke without requiring correction. Burn lines are sharp and deliberate, needing minimal touch-ups (if any).

Ash builds firm and layered, a visual testament to the quality of the filler blend and the steady hand of the torcedor. Even at full combustion, the cigar never overheats or collapses structurally. It is as dependable as it is complex.

Ideal Pairings

The Bolívar Libertador is not an everyday cigar; it’s a ceremonial event, best honoured with equally grand and well-considered pairings. Its bold strength and layered complexity demand drinks that can match its depth and elevate its character.

Aged Armagnac (XO or Hors d’Âge): Rich, fruity, and dry, Armagnac offers complementary flavours of fig, vanilla, and oak, enhancing the Libertador’s cocoa and leather base.
Cuban Coffee (Espresso or Café Cubano): The sharp, sweet bitterness of a thick Cuban espresso intensifies the cigar’s roasted and earthy profile.
Peated Scotch (Islay): Think Lagavulin 16 or Ardbeg Uigeadail. The smoky, iodine-rich character adds an entirely new dimension to the savoury umami notes in the final third.
Spanish Sherry (Oloroso or Palo Cortado): Nutty, oxidised, and slightly sweet—perfect to mirror the cigar’s dried fruit and woody tones.
Italian Amaro: A good Amaro, such as Averna or Fernet Branca, balances herbal bitterness with sweet, spicy warmth that cleanses the palate between draws.
Dark Rum (Cuban or Caribbean, aged 15+ years): Full of molasses, baking spices, and toasted sugar, these rums pair beautifully with the Libertador’s molasses, anise, and truffle complexity.

The cigar deserves to be enjoyed in a setting that allows focus—preferably quiet, well-lit, and paired with something classical or ambient in the background. A library, a private terrace, a warm evening with nothing on the agenda but the next draw.

The Libertador Experience

Smoking the Bolívar Libertador is not just a luxury; it’s an immersion. This is a cigar that tells you a story from the first draw and deepens with every transition. It speaks of Cuba’s revolutionary spirit, the enduring legacy of Simón Bolívar, and the unmatched artistry of the torcedores who bring these legends to life, leaf by leaf.

There’s something profound about the way it evolves. It begins with bold statements—earth, espresso, power—and gradually reveals tenderness: sweetness, spice, subtle floral flourishes. And just when you think you understand it, the Libertador shifts again, closing the show with its most confident performance.

It’s the kind of cigar that can reset your palate, reignite your passion for Cuban vitolas, or even anchor a memory—a celebration, a solitary moment, a trip to Milan to hand-select your boxes from a La Casa humidor that smelled of cedar, sweet tobacco, and history. You never forget your first Bolívar Libertador. It stays with you. It becomes a reference point for strength, for flavour, for excellence.

Rating for Bolívar Libertador LCDH (2014)

Appearance: 10/10 – A stunning wrapper with rich hue, oil sheen, and immaculate construction.
Aroma: 9/10 – Powerful, earthy, with deep fermented and spicy notes.
Flavour: 19/20 – Bold, evolving, deeply satisfying, with classic Bolívar DNA and modern balance.
Draw: 10/10 – Perfect resistance, easy airflow, consistently excellent.
Burn: 9/10 – Precise and clean, minor corrections only.
Construction: 10/10 – A benchmark for handmade Cuban quality.
Strength: 9/10 – Full-bodied and commanding, but never harsh.
Finish: 9/10 – Long, layered, with cocoa, spice, and sweet earth.
Overall Experience: 10/10 – A tour-de-force in every sense.

Total Score: 95/100

YouTube Review

Experience the Bolívar Libertador (2014 LCDH) firsthand through my in-depth video review on KD Leaf Diaries. Watch the unboxing, cut, light, and full analysis of the smoke’s transitions from start to finish. We dive deep into construction, complexity, and pairing suggestions. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share your Libertador moments with the community.

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