Generally, I would not usually review two cigars of the same exact line, but the original Olivia Serie V was such a great cigar that Cigar Guide Gary agreed that it would be interesting to review the Oliva V Maduro, just to see if it measured up to the earlier blend. The tobacco is still all from Nicaragua, but the Maduro wrapper version of the cigar is only available in the 6” x 56 ring gauge torpedo size and shape.
Flavor and Aroma
The Oliva Serie V Maduro cigar starts out rather spicy and does not calm down until you are an inch or two into the smoke. It has lots of great flavors we all have come to enjoy in the Oliva line, like rich coffee, cinnamon, and chocolate. The Maduro wrapper has a bit of sweetness typical of high quality mature tobacco leaves. The aroma is quite solid as well echoing the taste perfectly. Not the original Oliva V, but a very good follow up.
Draw and Construction
Not much to say about a perfect draw other than it was perfect. The construction was also perfect except for one important factor. The wrapper was on the thin side. I have also noticed that the original Oliva V’s, as well as the rest of the Oliva line, have thin wrappers. Nearly all of the time they hold together without any problems, but these Maduro’s were are bit tricky. You cannot squeeze the cigar too tight or you will cause the wrapper to crack. Once that happens, it is all over for that cigar, and the wrapper comes off completely. On the positive side, I did smoke one of my cigars without a wrapper (it came off after one inch) and it still smoked great, which I believe is a testament to the good construction of the rest of the cigar. The ashes usually held for 2” and the cigars all smoked for 70 to 90 minutes.
Value
This is a decent value for a quality smoke at around $8. I did not rate it as high as the original Oliva Serie V, but that first one was hard to be beat. Just to do a reality check, I also smoked an original Oliva V Lancero just after smoking these Maduro’s, and it is something you should also try if you like Oliva cigars. Because of the thin ring gauge of the Lancero (a very long Panatela at 7” x 38 ring gauge) you can really taste that great sun grown Jalapa Valley ligero wrapper.
