Cigar Weekly

famousbaddave · 06-27-2007, 11:45 AM

Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero
Vitolas: 7 Natural 2 Maduro

I went to an Oliva tasting over the weekend for the new V series. I tried the double robusto which retails at my B&M for @ $5.50. I am far from a professional reviewer, but I'll give it a shot.

The wrapper and construction was superb. Smooth wrapper, not toothy and very little taste. On an empty stomach I used a punch and fired it up with a triple flame lighter.

Initial draw was peppery, you could taste the ligero, for me it was very similar to a LFD. Second draw I exhaled the smoke from my nostrils without any burn. The advertised 'strength and smoothness meets' seemed to be spot on.

As the cigar burned the ash was firm and held on tight. For me no hints of coffee, chocolate, leather or earth. The pepper taste remained throughout, the last 3rd of the cigar the strength seemed to increase and I was no longer able to pass smoke from my nose without a burn.

All in all... The was a great cigar especially for the price. This would be perfect for those who like the ligero cigars but are looking for one that is smooth and won't turn them green.

rdking · 06-27-2007, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the review. I have been a fan of Oliva for the last couple of years - Serie O and G and the MB.

I was at my local B/M last week and did not see these on the shelf yet. Will put them on my "to try list".

famousbaddave · 06-28-2007, 01:59 AM

If you like the O and G I think you'll enjoy the V.

Oracle · 06-28-2007, 12:15 PM

Thanks, Dave. I am going to a similar event in one of the B&Ms here in Baltimore in an hour or two. I always liked Gran Maduro and 'O' and was alway wishing 'O' was stronger, so I am intrigued by this new one. I will share my impression after the tasting.

famousbaddave · 06-29-2007, 02:36 PM

I'm looking forward to your thoughts...

Oliva is making a gigantic push to become an elite provider of premium cigars. With their resources some of the big boys better take notice.

Oracle · 07-02-2007, 01:09 PM

I did go to the tasting event in Cross Street Tobacco in Baltimore last Thursday evening, just didn't get a chance to write here until now. I got two Torpedos and two 6x60s (they call is Double Toro). I actually wanted to try Churchill Extra or Lancero, but they didn't bring any. They also had Robustos that they were giving away as freebies.

I tried Torpedo, and want to say that it is a good cigar, both in looks (great looking wrapper!) and flavor/taste, not to mention reasonable price. As to their claim (hype?) that they are a perfect balance between strength and smoothness, well... there is more smoothness than strength, for sure. I am actually always on a look out for strong cigars that are balanced, flavorful and not harsh, and if they didn't hype it up as such, I would not be at all disappointed, and would have complimented this cigar in its own right, but my expectations having read the hype were not met.

To sum up, it is medium in strength and body, getting slightly more full bodied in the last third, and has a good flavor and is smooth for a medium-bodied cigar. Worth trying, but don't pay attention to that 'point where strength meets smoothness' promo line, imo.

famousbaddave · 07-03-2007, 06:44 AM

Pretty much my thoughts as well. Tasty ligero filler, great price, but doesn't pack a wallop.

Big Dawg · 07-04-2007, 02:36 AM

Thanks for the review and nicely done!

I just went to an Oliva event recently as well and experienced the same smoke (for the first time). Although it didn't blow me away, I was surprised by the price tag. For the money, this is a good choice and one that I would recommend trying, that is, if you haven't already done so. I probably won't buy a box anytime soon, but will pick up a few sticks here and there.

Brian D. · 07-04-2007, 04:22 AM

They had an all-Series V Oliva herf at the Party Source last night. (Well actually due to the store being s crowded pre-July 4th, the event was held at a great nearby drinkin' spot on the Ohio River called Beer Sellar.) So all of us got to sample three sizes of the V for $10.

Reason I posted this here instead of "Herf's Up" is because these tastings are a chance to get feedback from a bunch (120+) of palates at once. The concensus of those I talked to gave the Vs high or very high marks. Of course the fact that Flor De Oliva is always very generous with swag during the raffle at the end of these soirees, maybe we're biased.

So far I've found the Vs to build in flavor for the first third/half, then kind of level out for a medium-to-full and smoooth ride.

rdking · 07-04-2007, 07:02 PM

Does anyone know of any online vendors who has these in a five pack?

Mark

06-27-2007, 11:45 AM	#1
famousbaddave Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,345	Oliva Serie V - Ligero Especial Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero Vitolas: 7 Natural 2 Maduro I went to an Oliva tasting over the weekend for the new V series. I tried the double robusto which retails at my B&M for @ $5.50. I am far from a professional reviewer, but I'll give it a shot. The wrapper and construction was superb. Smooth wrapper, not toothy and very little taste. On an empty stomach I used a punch and fired it up with a triple flame lighter. Initial draw was peppery, you could taste the ligero, for me it was very similar to a LFD. Second draw I exhaled the smoke from my nostrils without any burn. The advertised 'strength and smoothness meets' seemed to be spot on. As the cigar burned the ash was firm and held on tight. For me no hints of coffee, chocolate, leather or earth. The pepper taste remained throughout, the last 3rd of the cigar the strength seemed to increase and I was no longer able to pass smoke from my nose without a burn. All in all... The was a great cigar especially for the price. This would be perfect for those who like the ligero cigars but are looking for one that is smooth and won't turn them green. __________________ "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." Sir Winston Churchill

06-28-2007, 01:59 AM	#3
famousbaddave Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,345	If you like the O and G I think you'll enjoy the V. __________________ "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." Sir Winston Churchill

06-28-2007, 12:15 PM	#4
Oracle Club Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 1,112	Thanks, Dave. I am going to a similar event in one of the B&Ms here in Baltimore in an hour or two. I always liked Gran Maduro and 'O' and was alway wishing 'O' was stronger, so I am intrigued by this new one. I will share my impression after the tasting. __________________ Now more than ever!

06-29-2007, 02:36 PM	#5
famousbaddave Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,345	I'm looking forward to your thoughts... Oliva is making a gigantic push to become an elite provider of premium cigars. With their resources some of the big boys better take notice. __________________ "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." Sir Winston Churchill

07-02-2007, 01:09 PM	#6
Oracle Club Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 1,112	I did go to the tasting event in Cross Street Tobacco in Baltimore last Thursday evening, just didn't get a chance to write here until now. I got two Torpedos and two 6x60s (they call is Double Toro). I actually wanted to try Churchill Extra or Lancero, but they didn't bring any. They also had Robustos that they were giving away as freebies. I tried Torpedo, and want to say that it is a good cigar, both in looks (great looking wrapper!) and flavor/taste, not to mention reasonable price. As to their claim (hype?) that they are a perfect balance between strength and smoothness, well... there is more smoothness than strength, for sure. I am actually always on a look out for strong cigars that are balanced, flavorful and not harsh, and if they didn't hype it up as such, I would not be at all disappointed, and would have complimented this cigar in its own right, but my expectations having read the hype were not met. To sum up, it is medium in strength and body, getting slightly more full bodied in the last third, and has a good flavor and is smooth for a medium-bodied cigar. Worth trying, but don't pay attention to that 'point where strength meets smoothness' promo line, imo. __________________ Now more than ever!

06-27-2007, 03:57 PM	#2
rdking Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 492	Thanks for the review. I have been a fan of Oliva for the last couple of years - Serie O and G and the MB. I was at my local B/M last week and did not see these on the shelf yet. Will put them on my "to try list".

07-03-2007, 06:44 AM	#7
famousbaddave Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,345	Pretty much my thoughts as well. Tasty ligero filler, great price, but doesn't pack a wallop. __________________ "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." Sir Winston Churchill

07-04-2007, 02:36 AM	#8
Big Dawg Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In a town near you Posts: 202	Thanks for the review and nicely done! I just went to an Oliva event recently as well and experienced the same smoke (for the first time). Although it didn't blow me away, I was surprised by the price tag. For the money, this is a good choice and one that I would recommend trying, that is, if you haven't already done so. I probably won't buy a box anytime soon, but will pick up a few sticks here and there.

07-04-2007, 04:22 AM	#9
Brian D. Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 118	They had an all-Series V Oliva herf at the Party Source last night. (Well actually due to the store being s crowded pre-July 4th, the event was held at a great nearby drinkin' spot on the Ohio River called Beer Sellar.) So all of us got to sample three sizes of the V for $10. Reason I posted this here instead of "Herf's Up" is because these tastings are a chance to get feedback from a bunch (120+) of palates at once. The concensus of those I talked to gave the Vs high or very high marks. Of course the fact that Flor De Oliva is always very generous with swag during the raffle at the end of these soirees, maybe we're biased. So far I've found the Vs to build in flavor for the first third/half, then kind of level out for a medium-to-full and smoooth ride.

07-04-2007, 07:02 PM	#10
rdking Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 492	Does anyone know of any online vendors who has these in a five pack? Mark