Since 2008, the Oliva Cigar Family has released a limited edition of the Oliva Serve V, the Maduro Especial. This year the cigar sees two sizes released in 6,000 boxes of 10. Like the last couple of years the cigar sees the release of the Double Toro (6 x 60), but this year also sees the release of a Double Robusto measuring 5 x 54. It’s consistently been one of my favorite special releases each year, so today we offer our review the the 2018 Oliva V Maduro Double Robusto.
Cigar Review: Oliva V Maduro Especial
Wrapper: Mexico (San Andres Maduro)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Double Robusto
The Look: The cigar comes packaged in an affordable 10 count box, that looks more like like a V Melanio box than a Serie V box. The Double Robusto is rolled to perfection and the San Andres wrapper has a nice amount of oils to it, and is practically vein free. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots and a well packed foot. The cigar features the standard Oliva V band with a minor change, to the left and right of the V is the words Maduro Especial.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Oliva V Maduro 2018 servers up some pepper notes and an abundance of mocha. The foot of the cigar continues to serve up mocha with a subtle cedar and earth. After we toast the foot of the cigar, the first notes are leather and pepper.
Moving into the first third of the cigar the leather begins to pull back slightly the cigar begins to showcase notes of raisins, cedar and coffee. The retrohale is extremely smooth even with an abundance of red pepper and continued leather.
As we enter the second third some notes of mocha begin to develop and the primary taste is that of a strong espresso. As we cross the half-way point the mocha begins to fade and notes of nutmeg, leather and a hint of cinnamon begin to appear. The retrohale is both nutty and leather with a long finish that has some black pepper and a subtle sweetness.
In the last third notes of mocha become the focal point of the cigar. The mixture of chocolate and coffee and dominant with cedar and leather in the background. The retrohale continues to serve up some pepper notes, but there is also a sweetness that is noticeable on the aroma of this cigar that has a long finish.
The Finish: The Oliva V Maduro Especial is one of my favorite yearly limited releases, but it is often overlooked with the exception of those who have been a fan of the release since the early days of its inception. It makes me question the marketing of the company, because they don’t do much in the terms of press releases or hype on social media or via the blogosphere. It’s kind of a shame, because this cigar deserves more attention than it gets. At under $100 a box it’s a no brainer and definitely worthy of a purchase.
Score: 92
Price: $9.59 / $84.99
Oliva V Maduro Especial Double Robusto 2018
Oliva V Maduro Especial Double Robusto 2018 Foot
Oliva V Maduro Especial Double Robusto 2018 Burn
