Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Perfecto
Size : 5 x 55
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Habano
Filler : Nicaraguan Habano
Binder : Nicaraguan Habano
Hand-Made
Price : ~$6 each
We are pleased to introduce M. Germany who joined our team of reviewers. Enjoy his take on the Oliva Serie O Perfecto!
Oliva is a cigar brand that I have seriously come to respect. They offer a wide variety of smokes at a very affordable price. Their Serie O line is certainly no exception to that standard. Cigars from Oliva are always attractive, and they always seem to make you feel like you are holding more in your hand than you really are. Recently, an Oliva Serie sampler pack was gifted to me from Oliva. I certainly must say, they know how to run a business, and they certainly know how to roll a cigar.
I selected the perfecto for this review because you don’t see too many of them these days. Cigar manufacturers still make them, however they have certainly seen a decline in popularity. The Oliva Serie O Perfecto is actually not a “true” perfecto. A “true” perfecto is closed on both ends, but the Oliva perfecto has a small opening at the foot to prevent smokers from having to cut both ends. The pre-light draw was seriously odd. My mind wandered as I sat there pondering aimlessly to figure out what the flavors I was experiencing were. This is going to sound seriously strange, but try to imagine this. It finally hit me. Cedar plank salmon. Seriously. Never in my life would I have imagined I would get a seafood oriented aroma from a smoke. Ever. Oddities aside, this is a very attractive smoke. It looks elegant and shares the same wonderful hue as peanut butter. The wrapper is moderately veiny and tight when squeezed.
As I began to light up, I couldn’t help but remember the fishy flavors I encountered before light-up. The first draw was simple and light. The draw was that of a milkshake, so I clipped a little more off the cap. Problem solved. The smoke immediately hits you in the back of your throat and buries itself deep into your septum. Suddenly, what this cigar lacked in complexity, it made up for in body. This is the second smoke in a row that I have smoked a cigar with a Jalapa Valley blend, and I could certainly point out the similarities. Fortunately, the seafood was gone and a wonderful dry cedar flavor took the reins. Everything about this smoke is woody, and frankly, that’s fine with me.
As the burn progressed from the tapered foot to the larger gauged portion, it seriously opened up. You can’t measure a perfecto in thirds. It’s constantly changing diameter, which in turn causes it to change all characteristics. Aloud I said, “damn perfecto’s are cool”. They look cool, they make you look cool, and they are a dying breed. With the broadening of the stick’s ring gauge, the cigar was allowed to cool. This brought on a more complex bouquet. Now, I was getting more of an oak and walnut flavor, accompanied by the slightest hint of smoked paprika. These exact same flavors carried through with the remainder of the smoke, but the body continued to fluctuate with the ever changing contour.
Overall, the Serie O neither impressed or disappointed. It’s certainly a cigar that I would smoke again, however in a different setting. It’s easy to hold, which makes it ideal for an outdoor barbeque or any type of social event that doesn’t typically warrant resting your cigar. I certainly recommend this to all types of smokers alike. Next time you’re at your local tobacconist’s shop, pick one up. In fact, pick up any perfecto for that matter. Experience something out of the norm, and partake in a piece of cigar history.
