Background
As we near the fourth annual release of the Oliva V Maduro Especial, I thought it might be worth comparing the first two releases which were the 2008 and 2009 respectively. Both releases have received rave reviews in the past and the 2009 release received the Number 5 spot in Cigar Aficionado’s Best of 2009. I have, however, never smoked the two within a reasonable amount of time of each other. Last year, the 2010 was released and the 2011 version will be released this Fall. Both these, however, have Mexican San Andreas Wrapper whereas the 2008 and 2009 had a Connecticut Broadleaf. Consequently, I decided not to include the 2010 in this review.
Stogie Stats
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro (2008) Nicaraguan Habano Seed (2009)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero
Strength: Full
Vitola: Torpedo
Size: 6.50 x 52 (2008) 6.00 x 52 (2009)
Age: Three Years (2008) Two Years (2009)
MSRP: About $9.00
Review
Everything I have read has stated that these are both 52 ring gauge sticks but the 2008 is definitely a ring size smaller. It could very well be shrinkage from the additional year of age however. The wrappers on both seem to have faded slightly, as i remember these being darker when released. It has been about a year since I have smoked either of these so I am really looking forward to it.
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial (2008)
The pre-light draw has some faint Nicaraguan sweetness and earth to it. The cigar is firmly packed and has little to no sponginess to it. Once lit the first few draws are full of spice and wood but much more toned down than I remember. The draw is a bit tight. The spice subsides quickly and I begin getting hints of roasted nuts and coffee which seems to exchange dominance on my palate every couple of draws. The draw has completely opened up now and I am enjoying the complexity of the flavors that are coming and going. The burn is jagged but does not interfere with my enjoyment thus far.
During the start of the second third I notice a lot more pepper when passing the smoke through the sinus’. The strength feels like it has also picked up a bit. The Burn is very crooked but I fight the urge to touch it up as the draw is still perfect. I begin getting a lot of leather now and there is some creaminess on the palate.
At halfway point, the cigar begins to go out so a touch up is inevitable. After a quick 5 seconds under my torch lighter, the stick begins to pour smoke again and I cease to have any further burn issues. The second third continues with a lot of leather and wood and does not stray much. The ash is a greyish white and holds for about 3/4 of an inch before falling.
The last third continues much like the stogie opened with lot of strong wood and spice. There is still quite a bit of leather and I can detect some dark chocolate present. The nub is a cool and soft but stays together as the experience comes to a close.
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial (2009)
The wrapper has a lot of veins and a rough texture. The cigar is firm but has a little bit of sponginess near foot. The pre-light draw is rich, sweet, and earthly. After thoroughly toasting the foot, I am greeted to a mouth full of rich chocolate and coffee. The draw and burn are flawless. The ash white and firm. The finish dry. I had completely forgotten how good these are! At about the one inch mark I begin getting a lot of roasted nuts and a little bit of leather. The ash is still holding which is amazing considering there are wind gusts of 40 mph on this beautiful Autumn day. When the ash finally falls at about 1.25 inches, the rich chocolate and coffee flavors are back. At the end of first third some strong wood flavors begin to enter the flavor profile.
Entering the second third, I begin to detect a lot of chewiness to the the finish. The roasted nuts are back and some pepper blasts me on the retro hale. There is a lot of earth now too. The strength has picked up and I cannot say enough about the burn and draw. I pull the wrapper off at the halfway mark and the ash is holding reasonably well with the wind.
Entering the last third there is a lot of espresso and bitter chocolate here. What a ride! Such complexity and balance. The strength is a solid medium/full but I am not getting too much nicotine at all. The nub is soft but cool as I finish the stogie.
Conclusion
The winner hands down in our Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial showdown is the 2009 release. While the 2008 is an enjoyable smoke it lacks the complexity and balance that the 2009 so vividly demonstrated. Additionally, the 2009 release burned perfectly and is smoking great right now. I would give it a Stogie Geeks rating of 4 “Box Worthy” at the current MSRP or even at bit more than MSRP. If you have some squirreled away in your humidor, you owe it to yourself to smoke some now. If you come across some at your local B&M, you owe it to yourself to at least grab a couple of sticks to try. The 2009 has always been a favorite of mine and I think the last two years has been very kind to this stogie. The balance is fantastic and the cigar offers some great smooth maduro flavors without the nicotine kick often associated with young tobacco.
Stogie Geeks Audio
October 20, 2011
Review: Oliva Serie V Maduro Showdown
Tim Mugherini Reviews, Stogies 0 Comments
Background
As we near the fourth annual release of the Oliva V Maduro Especial, I thought it might be worth comparing the first two releases which were the 2008 and 2009 respectively. Both releases have received rave reviews in the past and the 2009 release received the Number 5 spot in Cigar Aficionado’s Best of 2009. I have, however, never smoked the two within a reasonable amount of time of each other. Last year, the 2010 was released and the 2011 version will be released this Fall. Both these, however, have Mexican San Andreas Wrapper whereas the 2008 and 2009 had a Connecticut Broadleaf. Consequently, I decided not to include the 2010 in this review.
Stogie Stats
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro (2008) Nicaraguan Habano Seed (2009)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero
Strength: Full
Vitola: Torpedo
Size: 6.50 x 52 (2008) 6.00 x 52 (2009)
Age: Three Years (2008) Two Years (2009)
MSRP: About $9.00
Review
Everything I have read has stated that these are both 52 ring gauge sticks but the 2008 is definitely a ring size smaller. It could very well be shrinkage from the additional year of age however. The wrappers on both seem to have faded slightly, as i remember these being darker when released. It has been about a year since I have smoked either of these so I am really looking forward to it.
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial (2008)
The pre-light draw has some faint Nicaraguan sweetness and earth to it. The cigar is firmly packed and has little to no sponginess to it. Once lit the first few draws are full of spice and wood but much more toned down than I remember. The draw is a bit tight. The spice subsides quickly and I begin getting hints of roasted nuts and coffee which seems to exchange dominance on my palate every couple of draws. The draw has completely opened up now and I am enjoying the complexity of the flavors that are coming and going. The burn is jagged but does not interfere with my enjoyment thus far.
During the start of the second third I notice a lot more pepper when passing the smoke through the sinus’. The strength feels like it has also picked up a bit. The Burn is very crooked but I fight the urge to touch it up as the draw is still perfect. I begin getting a lot of leather now and there is some creaminess on the palate.
At halfway point, the cigar begins to go out so a touch up is inevitable. After a quick 5 seconds under my torch lighter, the stick begins to pour smoke again and I cease to have any further burn issues. The second third continues with a lot of leather and wood and does not stray much. The ash is a greyish white and holds for about 3/4 of an inch before falling.
The last third continues much like the stogie opened with lot of strong wood and spice. There is still quite a bit of leather and I can detect some dark chocolate present. The nub is a cool and soft but stays together as the experience comes to a close.
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial (2009)
The wrapper has a lot of veins and a rough texture. The cigar is firm but has a little bit of sponginess near foot. The pre-light draw is rich, sweet, and earthly. After thoroughly toasting the foot, I am greeted to a mouth full of rich chocolate and coffee. The draw and burn are flawless. The ash white and firm. The finish dry. I had completely forgotten how good these are! At about the one inch mark I begin getting a lot of roasted nuts and a little bit of leather. The ash is still holding which is amazing considering there are wind gusts of 40 mph on this beautiful Autumn day. When the ash finally falls at about 1.25 inches, the rich chocolate and coffee flavors are back. At the end of first third some strong wood flavors begin to enter the flavor profile.
Entering the second third, I begin to detect a lot of chewiness to the the finish. The roasted nuts are back and some pepper blasts me on the retro hale. There is a lot of earth now too. The strength has picked up and I cannot say enough about the burn and draw. I pull the wrapper off at the halfway mark and the ash is holding reasonably well with the wind.
Entering the last third there is a lot of espresso and bitter chocolate here. What a ride! Such complexity and balance. The strength is a solid medium/full but I am not getting too much nicotine at all. The nub is soft but cool as I finish the stogie.
Conclusion
The winner hands down in our Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial showdown is the 2009 release. While the 2008 is an enjoyable smoke it lacks the complexity and balance that the 2009 so vividly demonstrated. Additionally, the 2009 release burned perfectly and is smoking great right now. I would give it a Stogie Geeks rating of 4 “Box Worthy” at the current MSRP or even at bit more than MSRP. If you have some squirreled away in your humidor, you owe it to yourself to smoke some now. If you come across some at your local B&M, you owe it to yourself to at least grab a couple of sticks to try. The 2009 has always been a favorite of mine and I think the last two years has been very kind to this stogie. The balance is fantastic and the cigar offers some great smooth maduro flavors without the nicotine kick often associated with young tobacco.
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