Oliva Serie O Perfecto

Overall Score

1 review for Oliva Serie O Perfecto

  1. M. Germany

    Oliva Serie O Perfecto

    Oliva CigarsOrigin : 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.

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    Helpful?
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    • David D.

      Here I am, stuck at home for the week with the flu. 4AM stir crazy, I stare at my humidor; which I have not opened or touched in too long. I stare at all my cigars. I sniff them to see if I can pick up smell. Alas My sinuses have returned I decide to smoke one of them. Oliva O… Yep I did get the salmon plank smell at the cold draw. The cigar was a nice relaxer for my mind.. I did enjoy the almost vanilla bean coffee notes in the cigar.

    • Anthony

      The Serie O perfecto was great, as were the V, G maduro, Connecticut Reserve, and Cain Maduro I’ve smoked since then. Sorry for my late reply; I did not click on “notify me of followup.” I think I purchased the same sampler box that you mention above. I’m contemplating a box purchase of the Serie O, though I wish they made them in the “Special G” size. I seldom have time to enjoy a “full-sized” cigar.

    • M. Germany

      Well said Anthony! Keep in mind, everyone describes and interprets taste differently. The cedar plank salmon reference wasn’t intended to be bad or to deter, it was just strange. Now that I think of it, that perfecto came in the sampler pack. The box for the sampler pack is made of plywood, and smells terrible. I’m thinking that this may have modified the flavor drastically. Let me know how your smoke goes.

    • Anthony

      A thoughtful review. I too am a fan of Oliva cigars. They just have that special something. As I write this I am staring at the exact same Series O perfecto, which I will be smoking on the way home from work. This is the classiest looking cigar I have seen in a while, though I must admit I am hoping mine is devoid of any cedar plank salmon notes.

    • M. Germany

      I picked up several different perfectos this week. Unfortunately, there is a minor downfall to them. They don’t stack well in the humidor. You pretty much need a dedicated shelf for them. But, they are great smokes.

    • SJester

      I’m a fan of their G, V, and O. The reviewer made a good point about the changing flavor profile offered by the varying diameter. I think I’m much more likely to pick up a perfecto next chance I get.

    • M. Germany

      I prefer robustos to any other cut, especially when they are box pressed. The Serie G has become quite the staple in my humidor as a daily smoke. Currently, I am in the process of reviewing the entire Oliva line including Cain. More to come.

    • FlyHigh

      Oliva’s serie V & O are a staple in my humi. I like robustos and torpedos more than any other vitolas.

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Cigar Region Nicaragua
Filler Nicaragua
Wrapper Ecuador
Binder Nicaragua
Length Ecuador
Ring Gauge Nicaragua
Vitola Perfecto
Construction Hand Made