This is the lightest of the Oliva line, and it was time to give it a shot.
This cigar had a nice, smooth, soft Connecticut wrapper with Nicaraguan long filler. A very simple cigar.
The first puff was one of a strong creamy flavor. During with it gave a hint of sweetness. It was almost like creamy coffee. It had a slight buttery flavor. The aftertaste was a light cream and a lingering sweet, like after having a cookie or piece of cake. Underneath was a hint of wood flavor. Hard to describe that one. I must be honest, saying it tastes like wood is not what I want to say (no, it is not a dirty joke), but it is tough to describe. A good flavor though.
The issue with this cigar in flavor is the strength. The creamy comes out easily, but the other flavors are a little difficult to notice.
The construction is very well done. Good draw, and good burn. No uneven burn at all. The only issue was how fast it burned. Seemed to shorten the smoke.
A robusto is $7.25 and the Churchill is $11.75. So the price is very reasonable. In fact, the price is good.
The robusto lasted about 25-30 minutes, when it should have been 35-40 minutes. So, that brings it down. Also, getting some of the flavors out. Still a great buy though which puts this one at a good grade.
Final Grade: B+/A-
Showing posts with label Oliva. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oliva. Show all posts
Friday, November 26, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Oliva Master Blends 3
I decided to give this Oliva a shot. Since I have had the rest of them, I should finish off the line.
The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Broadleaf Sun-Grown leaf. The binder is a Nicaraguan Habano leaf, and the filler is made up of Nicaraguan Ligero.
This maduro comes off with a strong earthy flavor. It lasts for a little while but it finishes off with a bitter spice. The mix of these flavors seems very black and white, one or the other. When it is mixed, it is pleasant. Sadly, that does not last long. It comes off very one sided. The spice lingers and leaves a bitter taste.
This box pressed cigar has a nice wrap. Soft and almost like velvet. It is firm and solid. The draw is nice too. Well constructed. The burn is also very even.
Another issue is the price. For a Churchill it is $18.50 plus tax. OK, now if you are die-hard Oliva fan, that is great. For most people, it is not.
This cigar is overpriced and no matter how secretive this blend is, it shouldn't be. It should be told to all cigar makers as to tell them what not to do. Great quality tobacco (depending on the season, and this must have been a poor season) for the most part, but terrible mix.
Final Grade: F
The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Broadleaf Sun-Grown leaf. The binder is a Nicaraguan Habano leaf, and the filler is made up of Nicaraguan Ligero.
This maduro comes off with a strong earthy flavor. It lasts for a little while but it finishes off with a bitter spice. The mix of these flavors seems very black and white, one or the other. When it is mixed, it is pleasant. Sadly, that does not last long. It comes off very one sided. The spice lingers and leaves a bitter taste.
This box pressed cigar has a nice wrap. Soft and almost like velvet. It is firm and solid. The draw is nice too. Well constructed. The burn is also very even.
Another issue is the price. For a Churchill it is $18.50 plus tax. OK, now if you are die-hard Oliva fan, that is great. For most people, it is not.
This cigar is overpriced and no matter how secretive this blend is, it shouldn't be. It should be told to all cigar makers as to tell them what not to do. Great quality tobacco (depending on the season, and this must have been a poor season) for the most part, but terrible mix.
Final Grade: F
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial
The torpedo cigar is made with a Connecticut Broadleaf, Nicaraguan Binder and Jalapa Nicaraguan filler. This Maduro is a limited run of only 50,000 cigars a year.
This cigar fired up in a wonderful way. It started out with a nice spice flavor. It hit with power, but not overwhelming (not like the standard V). During the draw it had an earthy tone with a strong mixture of espresso. A wonderful mix. The aftertaste kept that espresso flavor with a nice bitter hint. Part of it reminded me of a strong green tea. Never had an aftertaste like that.
The construction was beautiful. The one I had had one blemish on it. None of the others did. This did not change the smoke at all. The wrap felt nice and tight. Also it had a nice texture. A little rough and oily. The draw was a little firm but the smoke was still good. The burn was nice and even.
This cigar would run $16.00 plus tax. For the limited production, that is not a bad price.
If you like the standard Serie V, try this one. It is different. Not so much the chocolate type flavors. This one has the spice and espresso but in a different balance that makes it unique.
Final Grade: A+
This cigar fired up in a wonderful way. It started out with a nice spice flavor. It hit with power, but not overwhelming (not like the standard V). During the draw it had an earthy tone with a strong mixture of espresso. A wonderful mix. The aftertaste kept that espresso flavor with a nice bitter hint. Part of it reminded me of a strong green tea. Never had an aftertaste like that.
The construction was beautiful. The one I had had one blemish on it. None of the others did. This did not change the smoke at all. The wrap felt nice and tight. Also it had a nice texture. A little rough and oily. The draw was a little firm but the smoke was still good. The burn was nice and even.
This cigar would run $16.00 plus tax. For the limited production, that is not a bad price.
If you like the standard Serie V, try this one. It is different. Not so much the chocolate type flavors. This one has the spice and espresso but in a different balance that makes it unique.
Final Grade: A+
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Oliva Serie V
This is a cigar that I have heard about and seen. I had it in a Churchill size and I loved every second of it. Now, my tastebuds were not having their best day, but that didn't matter. I will tell you way. Let's get to the review, shall we?
Habano Sun Wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Jalapa Valley Ligero filler are all put together very well. The construction of this smoke is very well done. Usually I find a flaw or two with an Oliva, which I understand (you make so many, you are bound to have errors) but with this one there are none.
I lit this cigar and had a wonderful draw. Just a little firm, but that is to keep you from being overwhelmed with flavor. A nice spicey flavor was consistant throughout this cigar. A nice earthy flavor with a coffee like flavor were under the spice. It was a wonderful mix. The aftertaste had some spice, but more like eating a piece of steak with pepper on it. The spice is nice a mild. There was a slight bitterness to it, but almost the same as a dark chocolate. So, it was a nice addition.
The draw and burn were perfect. Never had a problem with either. In fact, it took all my might not to puff to fast.
The price is around $12.50, which is not bad for an hour or more smoke. So price isn't an issue.
The only downside was the tastes. I thought a little more of the undertones would have made it better. Still, this is a great cigar.
Final Grade: A+
Habano Sun Wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Jalapa Valley Ligero filler are all put together very well. The construction of this smoke is very well done. Usually I find a flaw or two with an Oliva, which I understand (you make so many, you are bound to have errors) but with this one there are none.
I lit this cigar and had a wonderful draw. Just a little firm, but that is to keep you from being overwhelmed with flavor. A nice spicey flavor was consistant throughout this cigar. A nice earthy flavor with a coffee like flavor were under the spice. It was a wonderful mix. The aftertaste had some spice, but more like eating a piece of steak with pepper on it. The spice is nice a mild. There was a slight bitterness to it, but almost the same as a dark chocolate. So, it was a nice addition.
The draw and burn were perfect. Never had a problem with either. In fact, it took all my might not to puff to fast.
The price is around $12.50, which is not bad for an hour or more smoke. So price isn't an issue.
The only downside was the tastes. I thought a little more of the undertones would have made it better. Still, this is a great cigar.
Final Grade: A+
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Cain "F"
When I saw the name I thought of the movie Robocop 2 when the main character says "Cain, let's step outside." Well, with this cigar it is almost like that on some levels, but in a great way.
I walked into Little Havana and saw Steve at the counter. I asked what he had that was new and he showed me a few cigars. Nothing really caught my eye until I saw this box that said "Cain" on it. When he pointed it out it kept on me. This Robusto cigar with a Habano wrap and Nicaraguan ligero long leaves from Condega, Jalapa and Esteli as a filler. I had to try it.
Now, Steve told me "this thing starts out kicking and keeps going." He was right. The first puff had strength, no doubt about that. The flavor came on strong and stayed strong. It felt very mellow though. The flavor got a little stronger but it stayed mellow throughout. The strength creeps up on you.
The flavor did not become complex, but comforting and simple. It is like having a cool glass of water on a hot day. The water is very simple, but very enjoyable. This cigar had that for me, at first. Speaking of water, have water with this cigar. It is like separating the flavors of a strong scotch.
The flavor was full of spice. When broken down you could get rich earthy tones, some nutty tones, and even some cedar like flavors. Hints of coffee and leather came to surface too. But overall, the spice ruled. This had other flavors pop up, but that spice was the only one in full force. Like a hot pepper, you taste the pepper, even though your mouth feels like it will burst into flames.
The mix of tobacco added some bitter and mellow elements when puffed slowly and the smoke is let out even slower. This cigar kept having new layers no matter how you smoked it. Simple with a standard quick puff, and enjoyable, or complex with the slow puff, and still enjoyable.
The strong flavor never ceased. It started out kicking and kept on kicking... the flavor went on and on. I tasted it about an hour after I finished and the taste didn't dull or sour.
This cigar burned perfectly and had a wonderful draw.
If you like them strong, try this smoke. If you are a novice, you have been warned. This is a very powerful cigar. For $9.50, this is a darn good smoke.
Final Grade: A
I walked into Little Havana and saw Steve at the counter. I asked what he had that was new and he showed me a few cigars. Nothing really caught my eye until I saw this box that said "Cain" on it. When he pointed it out it kept on me. This Robusto cigar with a Habano wrap and Nicaraguan ligero long leaves from Condega, Jalapa and Esteli as a filler. I had to try it.
Now, Steve told me "this thing starts out kicking and keeps going." He was right. The first puff had strength, no doubt about that. The flavor came on strong and stayed strong. It felt very mellow though. The flavor got a little stronger but it stayed mellow throughout. The strength creeps up on you.
The flavor did not become complex, but comforting and simple. It is like having a cool glass of water on a hot day. The water is very simple, but very enjoyable. This cigar had that for me, at first. Speaking of water, have water with this cigar. It is like separating the flavors of a strong scotch.
The flavor was full of spice. When broken down you could get rich earthy tones, some nutty tones, and even some cedar like flavors. Hints of coffee and leather came to surface too. But overall, the spice ruled. This had other flavors pop up, but that spice was the only one in full force. Like a hot pepper, you taste the pepper, even though your mouth feels like it will burst into flames.
The mix of tobacco added some bitter and mellow elements when puffed slowly and the smoke is let out even slower. This cigar kept having new layers no matter how you smoked it. Simple with a standard quick puff, and enjoyable, or complex with the slow puff, and still enjoyable.
The strong flavor never ceased. It started out kicking and kept on kicking... the flavor went on and on. I tasted it about an hour after I finished and the taste didn't dull or sour.
This cigar burned perfectly and had a wonderful draw.
If you like them strong, try this smoke. If you are a novice, you have been warned. This is a very powerful cigar. For $9.50, this is a darn good smoke.
Final Grade: A
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