Gilberto Oliva Reserva Toro Cigar Review

Earlier today on The Cigar Authority Podcast/VODCast we smoked the Gilberto Oliva Reserva. We are now moving the review of the featured cigar to be posted after the show, so when you light up and tune in live you can compare the notes with the review and let us know if you agree or disagree with our assessment.

Cigar: Gilberto Oliva
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: : Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Size: Churchill

The Look: Packaged in boxes of 20, the Gilberto Oliva Reserva comes in a red box, where the Reserva Blanc comes in a white box. The band of the Reserva is red and gold with some embossing but it looks more like a Romeo band then one from Oliva. The Reserva Sumatra wrapper won’t win any awards as it isn’t beautiful by any means. It’s uneven in color, feels thin and gritty under the fingers and it looks like it was rolled by an apprentice. However, we have learned in the past not to judge a book by its cover. In the hand the cigar is firm and heavy with a nicely packed foot.

The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar has some nuttiness to it, with hints of earth. The foot of the cigar sees the nuttiness become a defined almond, with cedar and some more earth. Once the cigar is lit the first note experienced is licorice.

As we smoke the first third of Gilberto Reserva the licorice notes continue to dominate with hints of almond and peanuts. There are also traces of coffee and earth with a pepper and mint on the retrohale with the latter that continues on the aroma.

The second third of the cigar see the mint from the retrohale make an appearance on the flavor profile. It’s not abundant, but it’s there and it’s interesting. There is some espresso notes as well with a creamy finish and hints of almonds. The retrohale offers up a robust aroma with hints of cedar and coffee.

The last third Gilberto Oliva Churchill sees some of the licorice notes return and with a hint of espresso that makes this an excellent post-dinner cigar. There are also continued notes of earth and nuts, with a subtle cedar on the retrohale and a relatively short finish.

The Finish: The brittle wrapper of the Gilberto Oliva will likely rub people the wrong way. If you don’t cut the cigar properly it will crack, and if you like to really salivate on your cigar you might not be happy with its durability. However, once you get past the wrapper the result is a cigar that had an enjoyable aroma and flavor profile. The cigar has an excellent price, and it definitely delivered an enjoyable experience that will bring me back to it again.

Score: 90
Price: $6.29 / $109.80

Gilberto Reserva Churchill

Gilberto Reserva Churchill

Gilberto Reserva Churchill Foot

Gilberto Reserva Churchill Foot

Gilberto Reserva Churchill Burn

Gilberto Reserva Churchill Burn

 

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