Background
I thought I would post this weeks second review a day early due to the holiday here in the states. My thought is many people have taken today off from work or if they are working, like me, are not feeling really motivated. What better way to waste time than to read some cigar reviews? So a very happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Now onto the review!
A few weeks back I posted a comparison review of the Oliva V Serie Maduro Especial from 2008 and 2009. As I mentioned in that review, Oliva switched from using a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to a Mexican San Andreas wrapper in 2010. Oliva has continued the use of a Mexican wrapper in the recently released 2011 maduro and changed the vitola from the torpedo to a toro. After letting the fourth installment of this cigar rest for a couple of weeks, I sat down last Sunday afternoon to enjoy some much needed smoking time. Let’s get to burning!
Stogie Stats
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6.00 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: About $9.00
Review
As I mentioned, the 2011 release changed from a Torpedo used during the last three releases to 6 x 50 Toro. The stick is beautifully wrapped in a rich milk chocolate wrapper. It is firmly packed throughout and has a luscious aroma full of earth and chocolate. The pre-light draw is a little tight but is full of rich flavors.
After toasting the foot, the initial draw welcomes me with a lot of dark chocolate and some pepper. This quickly progresses with the addition of leather and espresso. There is a lot of salt on the finish and I am unsure how I feel about this, as it is quite pronounced. Additionally, I notice some nice sweetness that appears periodically every few draws. The draw is perfect and the ash is a dirty gray color. The ash holds for about an inch before falling and thus far there are no issues with the burn. The first third continues on with the dark (bittersweet) chocolate and espresso flavors. The leather is coming and going and the salty finish is still present. Needless to say, I am drinking a fair amount of water with this stick.
At the beginning of second half the espresso becomes a bit more dominant to the dark chocolate. This is a very enjoyable beginning of second third. The leather continues to trade places with these flavors. The draw is still great but the ash will not hold longer than 3/4 of an inch. The stick is pouring smoke on every pull but remains cool. The salt on the finish disappears but then re-emerges at the end of second third. The strength is a solid medium but I would rate the flavor profile as medium/full thus far.
The last third starts with the same flavors as the second but the salty finish has disappeared again. The burn remains straight. The leather is coming on strong now and I notice some spice on the finish. This continues throughout the final third. The flavors remain in the medium/full range but I never feel a nicotine kick. It is a nice end to a beautiful cigar as I nub it down to about the last inch.
Conclusion
I think the Toro is a good size for this blend. The cigar lacks some of the complexity when compared to 2009 maduro but I liked it better than the 2008 or 2010 releases. I would have enjoyed it more if not for the saltiness during the first third. I felt this took away from the otherwise pleasant flavors during that part of the smoking experience. The second and last third really shined, however. In conclusion, I would give the Oliva Serie V Maduro a Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Fiver”. MSRP is reasonable and it was an enjoyable smoke. Check it out if you get the chance. Now can someone pass the stuffing and gravy? Salud!
Stogie Geeks Audio
November 23, 2011
Review: Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2011
Tim Mugherini 3- The Fiver Reviews, Stogies 0 Comments
Background
I thought I would post this weeks second review a day early due to the holiday here in the states. My thought is many people have taken today off from work or if they are working, like me, are not feeling really motivated. What better way to waste time than to read some cigar reviews? So a very happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Now onto the review!
A few weeks back I posted a comparison review of the Oliva V Serie Maduro Especial from 2008 and 2009. As I mentioned in that review, Oliva switched from using a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to a Mexican San Andreas wrapper in 2010. Oliva has continued the use of a Mexican wrapper in the recently released 2011 maduro and changed the vitola from the torpedo to a toro. After letting the fourth installment of this cigar rest for a couple of weeks, I sat down last Sunday afternoon to enjoy some much needed smoking time. Let’s get to burning!
Stogie Stats
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6.00 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: About $9.00
Review
As I mentioned, the 2011 release changed from a Torpedo used during the last three releases to 6 x 50 Toro. The stick is beautifully wrapped in a rich milk chocolate wrapper. It is firmly packed throughout and has a luscious aroma full of earth and chocolate. The pre-light draw is a little tight but is full of rich flavors.
After toasting the foot, the initial draw welcomes me with a lot of dark chocolate and some pepper. This quickly progresses with the addition of leather and espresso. There is a lot of salt on the finish and I am unsure how I feel about this, as it is quite pronounced. Additionally, I notice some nice sweetness that appears periodically every few draws. The draw is perfect and the ash is a dirty gray color. The ash holds for about an inch before falling and thus far there are no issues with the burn. The first third continues on with the dark (bittersweet) chocolate and espresso flavors. The leather is coming and going and the salty finish is still present. Needless to say, I am drinking a fair amount of water with this stick.
At the beginning of second half the espresso becomes a bit more dominant to the dark chocolate. This is a very enjoyable beginning of second third. The leather continues to trade places with these flavors. The draw is still great but the ash will not hold longer than 3/4 of an inch. The stick is pouring smoke on every pull but remains cool. The salt on the finish disappears but then re-emerges at the end of second third. The strength is a solid medium but I would rate the flavor profile as medium/full thus far.
The last third starts with the same flavors as the second but the salty finish has disappeared again. The burn remains straight. The leather is coming on strong now and I notice some spice on the finish. This continues throughout the final third. The flavors remain in the medium/full range but I never feel a nicotine kick. It is a nice end to a beautiful cigar as I nub it down to about the last inch.
Conclusion
I think the Toro is a good size for this blend. The cigar lacks some of the complexity when compared to 2009 maduro but I liked it better than the 2008 or 2010 releases. I would have enjoyed it more if not for the saltiness during the first third. I felt this took away from the otherwise pleasant flavors during that part of the smoking experience. The second and last third really shined, however. In conclusion, I would give the Oliva Serie V Maduro a Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Fiver”. MSRP is reasonable and it was an enjoyable smoke. Check it out if you get the chance. Now can someone pass the stuffing and gravy? Salud!
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