Origin : Nicaragua Format : Torpedo Size : 6 x 54 Wrapper : Mexican San Andreas maduro Filler : Nicaragua Binder : Nicaragua Hand-Made Price : ~$10 each
You must have heard of the maduro version of the famous Oliva Serie V. Introduced in 2008, the blend has been since then changed yearly, which is a good way of creating regular buzz about a cigar. As for the vitolas, the first three years we’ve seen torpedos and the toro replaced it in 2011. Up for review today is the 2010 edition, a 6 x 54 filled with Nicaraguan tobacco (ligero from Jalapa valley to be exact) and wrapped in a Mexican San Andreas maduro leaf. I’ve received this cigar in a r/cigars trade with a cigar aficionado from Finland – thanks Timo!
Appearance : [rating:4/5]
The wrapper is rather rough to the touch and its chocolate brown surface shows a couple of imperfections. However, the overall impression is pleasant for some reason, perhaps because of the cigar’s comfortable weight (or the oily aspect of the wrapper?). The band is pretty similar to the one that can be observed on regular Serie V’s, with the exception of “maduro” and “especial” printed in small letters.
Construction : [rating:4.5/5]
I was satisfied with the construction of the specimen I smoked for this review. It burned regularly and the ash held strong. As I cut the cigar, the draw was too tight at first, but thankfully it was a torpedo so I just made a second cut and things came in order.
Flavor : [rating:4/5]
Unlit, the cigar smelled of plain tobacco and the pre-draw had an additional earthy flavor. After I torched the foot, it was impossible not to detect a prominent nutty flavor which, as I knew later, would be present throughout the smoke. Besides this main flavor, there were loads of creamy latte notes in the first third, then the cigar picked up some strength and developed an array of leathery amd bitter chocolate flavors. Good balance overall. Near the finish, the Serie V Maduro is just short of full-bodied. Surprisingly, I noticed almost no spice in this cigar. I’d expect more pepper from a Nicaraguan filler.
Value : [rating:3.5/5]
The MSRP is $10.70 I believe, which sounds like a fair value to me. Considering the excellent presentation (a 10-box, each cigar having its own compartment), it’s a decent gift idea.
Overall Rating : [rating:4/5]
I like all the aspects of this cigar, but I can’t stop comparing it to the natural Serie V – and, without surprise, as I usually prefer natural wrappers (a typical example is Padron – I’m in love with their natural versions), the regular one gets my favor. As you can notice, my opinion is highly biased – so I’d suggest trying out this excellent maduro and seeing how it fares for you. Cheers!
[sz]oliva serie v maduro[/sz]
Helpful?
0
0
Maestro
–
I did NOT like this cigar at ALL! It was very bitter and the flavor was simply SOUR! I had heard very good things about this stick but I was completely disappointed in the stick I had. Unfortunately I will not be buying this one again. The stick I had was SO unpleasant that I didn’t even want to smoke again for a week and a half afterwards..
ScottyBoy
–
Construction, burn, draw, finish,flavors…all exceptional! Great cigar!! And I was never a fan of Oliva, but the “V” is a cut above the rest, in my opinion. A top 5 in my humidor now.
Brett
–
Just won a bunch of these in an auction. Looking forward to trying them. Thanks for the review.
I have enjoyed the naturals but not the mind blowing experience some have had.
The Masters Blend is just an awesome smoke (and I love my cubans).
Cigar Inspector
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Torpedo
Size : 6 x 54
Wrapper : Mexican San Andreas maduro
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$10 each
You must have heard of the maduro version of the famous Oliva Serie V. Introduced in 2008, the blend has been since then changed yearly, which is a good way of creating regular buzz about a cigar. As for the vitolas, the first three years we’ve seen torpedos and the toro replaced it in 2011. Up for review today is the 2010 edition, a 6 x 54 filled with Nicaraguan tobacco (ligero from Jalapa valley to be exact) and wrapped in a Mexican San Andreas maduro leaf. I’ve received this cigar in a r/cigars trade with a cigar aficionado from Finland – thanks Timo!
Appearance : [rating:4/5]
The wrapper is rather rough to the touch and its chocolate brown surface shows a couple of imperfections. However, the overall impression is pleasant for some reason, perhaps because of the cigar’s comfortable weight (or the oily aspect of the wrapper?). The band is pretty similar to the one that can be observed on regular Serie V’s, with the exception of “maduro” and “especial” printed in small letters.
Construction : [rating:4.5/5]
I was satisfied with the construction of the specimen I smoked for this review. It burned regularly and the ash held strong. As I cut the cigar, the draw was too tight at first, but thankfully it was a torpedo so I just made a second cut and things came in order.
Flavor : [rating:4/5]
Unlit, the cigar smelled of plain tobacco and the pre-draw had an additional earthy flavor. After I torched the foot, it was impossible not to detect a prominent nutty flavor which, as I knew later, would be present throughout the smoke. Besides this main flavor, there were loads of creamy latte notes in the first third, then the cigar picked up some strength and developed an array of leathery amd bitter chocolate flavors. Good balance overall. Near the finish, the Serie V Maduro is just short of full-bodied. Surprisingly, I noticed almost no spice in this cigar. I’d expect more pepper from a Nicaraguan filler.
Value : [rating:3.5/5]
The MSRP is $10.70 I believe, which sounds like a fair value to me. Considering the excellent presentation (a 10-box, each cigar having its own compartment), it’s a decent gift idea.
Overall Rating : [rating:4/5]
I like all the aspects of this cigar, but I can’t stop comparing it to the natural Serie V – and, without surprise, as I usually prefer natural wrappers (a typical example is Padron – I’m in love with their natural versions), the regular one gets my favor. As you can notice, my opinion is highly biased – so I’d suggest trying out this excellent maduro and seeing how it fares for you. Cheers!
[sz]oliva serie v maduro[/sz]
Maestro
I did NOT like this cigar at ALL! It was very bitter and the flavor was simply SOUR! I had heard very good things about this stick but I was completely disappointed in the stick I had. Unfortunately I will not be buying this one again. The stick I had was SO unpleasant that I didn’t even want to smoke again for a week and a half afterwards..
ScottyBoy
Construction, burn, draw, finish,flavors…all exceptional! Great cigar!! And I was never a fan of Oliva, but the “V” is a cut above the rest, in my opinion. A top 5 in my humidor now.
Brett
Just won a bunch of these in an auction. Looking forward to trying them. Thanks for the review.
I have enjoyed the naturals but not the mind blowing experience some have had.
The Masters Blend is just an awesome smoke (and I love my cubans).