Final Thoughts: Consistency is an obvious concern with this cigar; considering the first sample fell apart on me in the final third. That aside, the good so much outweighed the bad that I wouldn’t hesitate picking up this cigar again. Even my favorite and most trusted cigars have a one-off construction issue. The second sample for review could not have smoked more perfectly, from the draw to the burn and everything in between. I can’t see a time of day that this cigar wouldn’t do the trick.
Pairing Recommendations:
Bourbon (neat), IPA, Red Wine (preferably Pinot Noir), Raisins or any dried Fruits, Pepsi (not Coca Cola), After a bowl of cereal (Raisin Bran or Frosted Flakes with milk)
Breakdown of My “Overall Enjoyment” Total:
Feel in the hand: 12/15
Ash Strength: 5/5
Versatility (pairings, time of day): 8/10
Appearance: 4/5
Pepper Scale: 8/10
Box Worthy: 4/5
The Oliva Cigar Co. we know and respect today has a legacy dating at least as far back as 1886, the year Melanio Oliva grew his first crop of tobacco in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. Melanio’s Grandson and Great-Grandson. Gilberto and Gilberto Jr., established the modern day iteration of the brand in 1995, and within a decade were selling 6 million cigars a year. Today, Oliva remains a favorite of those new to the craft as well as seasoned enthusiasts.
Wrapper: Cameroon/ Binder: Nicaraguan / Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 358 / Size: 3.75 × 58
Factory: Tabacalera Oliva de Nicaragua S.A. / Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Sweet Tobacco
Red Pepper
Sweet Tobacco, Red Pepper, Cereal
Before light up, I notice a fairly rough wrapper with some prominent veins and slight flaking/cracking. It feels like a 4×60 or “Nub-esque” cigar, which is really the only way I enjoy a larger ring gauged cigar. If it’s going to be stout it has to be short for me. Right off the bat, I’m getting a very solid spice on the front of the palate, leaning towards Cayenne pepper. The retrohale is red pepper with a touch of sweetness
The second third starts off by kicking the spice on the palate to the side and a more prominent sweetness comes through. The pepper is still there and thriving on the retrohale. I am beginning to get a touch of that cereal note I got on the cold draw. It’s reminiscent of Raisin Bran cereal.
The final third unfortunately unraveled on me with my first sample. The wrapper cracked in every direction, which was unfortunate because the flavor of this cigar was superb. However, the second sample smokes like a dream in the final third. A dream you don’t want to wake up from. That Raisin Bran cereal note is shining and the retrohale has maintained enough pepper to keep me coming back.
