Today’s review is of a cigar introduced back in 2007. That’s a big statement that a cigar 11 years later still demands attention. According to the Oliva website, “Serie V is a complex blend of Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos. Blended with specially fermented Jalapa Valley ligero, and finished with a high priming Habano Sun Grown Wrapper.” Let’s see how it reviews here on The Cigar Authority
Cigar Review: Oliva V
Size: 6 x 60 (Special V Figurado)
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Finder: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
The Look: The chocolate color wrapper that adorns the Oliva V Figurado has a slightly oily sheen to it, with minimal veins. In the hand the wrapper has a velvet like feel to it under the fingers. There are no soft spots and the cigar has a nice weight to it. The Oliva V band of booze, red, beige and brown adorns the cigar that is rolled to near perfection.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Oliva V Figurado is reminiscent of rich, moist german chocolate cake and a hint of walnuts and raisins thrown into the mix. The aroma off the wrapper is that of slight mocha.
Once the cigar is lit, the initial notes are that of walnuts and chocolate on the nipple of the cigar. As we work into a full burn of the perfecto tip the cigar begins to get a bit more complex with the addition of cedar and chocolate. As the we progress deeper into first third there are elements of marzipan that tease and tantalize the palate. Through the nose the cigar is woody with a subtle sweetness.
In the second third of the Oliva V the focal point of the flavors is that of raisins cedar that continues to build to the point that in the second half of the cigar it becomes the dominant note. The second third rounds out with touches of espresso and a slight pepper on the retrohale that remains woody.
The last third of the cigar continues with notes of coffee and cedar but it also sees the return of the walnuts from the first third replacing the sweetness from the raisins. The finish of the cigar is about medium in length with some pepper and wood on the retrohale.
The Finish: For a cigar to have the longevity of eight years is a rarity these days in my mind at least from the social media stand point of everyone looking for what is new. Smoking the cigar one can see why it has lasted into today’s cigar market. Robust flavors and a wonderful complexity make this cigar an enjoyable one worthy of a box purchase.
Score: 92
Price: $11.99 / $242.99
Oliva V Figurado
Olive Special V (Figurado) Foot
Olive Special V (Figurado) Burn
