Oliva Serie V Lancero

Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown
Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero
Size: Lancero
Strength: Medium-Full

Bigger is better! To keep up with my true American way of life I have to have the big things. This includes a big million dollar house, next to my big powerful red 69 Camaro, protected by my big Rottweiler, and I need to smoke a big fat cigar: Oliva V. The only problem is I do not have the house, car, dog, and well… to go with the flow I’ll ditch the big cigar too (in terms of ring gauge).

Allow me to introduce you to the Oliva V Lancero. Seven inches in length and with a ring gauge of 38 this tasty Oliva cigar brings a slightly different taste to the “V” series of cigars. The reason is simple: There is more Habano Sun Grown relative to the Jalapa Valley Ligero filler.

Construction: The wrapper is a dark brown in color with a hint of oils on the wrapper (as this should describe any full-bodied cigar).  I would say this cigar is not as firm as other Serie V in larger sizes, but at the same time this was not a “loose” cigar. It was packed just right for the size.

Draw: Many people have expressed concern when I inform them of my intentions to smoke a lancero because sometimes you may get that “dud” that just wont draw. I think this only happens on the lower quality sticks. The V has given me no problems, ever. I have complete confidence in this stick as the draw has always been perfect.

Burn: My favorite quality about the lancero, especially one constructed as well as the Oliva V, has got to be the burn factor. I always have grate luck with this cigar burning even and at just the right rate. Obviously your cigar ash will not be as large/long as the fuller sized brothers - but I don’t care.

Taste: First puffs on the Serie V brings about a nice prominent woody profile with some very enjoyable nutty tones. You will also notice that this stick packs a great spiciness that really ties everything together.

The second third of the Oliva looses much of the spice, nut, and woody profiles.  Coffee and cocoa kick in that make the middle the most enjoyable (in my opinion).  A sweeter type of spice is still in the mix with the woody/nut hints protruding every so often.  Again this happens to be my favorite part of the cigar - and lets be thankful this section is so long.

The final third of the cigar is when the body really becomes “full“. You still have the great cocoa, woody, spice - just kind of hidden.  I want to go out on a limb and say that I was getting leather flavors but I’m not sure that was the case for every cigar. Oliva V is a quality cigar that ends very well and you will have no problem nubbing the smoke all the way down.

Verdict Is: Buy this. As stated in the introduction to this cigar you have more Habano Sun Grown wrapper relative to the Jalapa Valley Ligero filler. This means that the taste is somewhat different than what you might know as the “V” taste, or cigar profile.

So give this a shot and see where it fits with you. You may think it has that same V taste or maybe you will side with me and think of it as a whole new cigar that has its appropriate time to smoke. EITHER WAY: you are going to love this cigar - just get over the “ring gauge” issue . I took the liberty of going down to my local B&M and picking up a whole box to age (just to see how the cigars change).

Nub Habano 466

Wrapper: Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Nub 466 (4 x 66)
Strength: Medium to Full

The Nub Habano review is finally here. The Nub cigar is a product of Sam Leccia in conjunction with Oliva Cigars. Nub was created with this theory in mind: Cigars have a sweet spot of flavor between 3.5-4 inches. Nub cigars are no longer than 4 inches so that the smoker starts at the sweet spot and ends at the sweet spot.

Frankly, I was quite skeptical of purchasing this stogie because I felt like I was purchasing half a cigar at full cigar prices. I bit my lip, walked into my local shop Stogie Cutter, pulled out my wallet, and purchased a couple of the Nub Habano 466.

Construction: The Nub Habano has a beautiful colored wrapper. The shade told me it had power, but nothing I should be afraid of. The wrapper did not have an oily sheen. Dense with tobacco the Nub was very firm and well constructed.

Draw:I was afraid the Nub would have a difficult draw due to the dense large ring gauge. I decided to punch the cigar – from light to finish the draw was perfect.

Burn: Nub produced an even burn throughout, something you come to expect with Oliva products. The ash was thick and did not fall off.

Taste: The initial puff of the Nub gave me a plethora flavors, but the most prevalent was the spice. I was also picking up some wood flavors, just enough to compliment the spice. The only downfall is that the great spice flavor of the nub dies down too quickly for me (maybe I’m just greedy?)

About 2/3 of the way in on this smoke the spice takes a back seat to what I think are some more leathery flavors. The body is also getting a little heavier; I’m not sure if its truly the flavor or the short stick getting a bit too hot.

The rest of the cigar was a joy as the spiciness picked up again. In my personal opinion, the cigar now, and perhaps even in the 2/3 area, produced a sweet taste to assist the spice.

Let me mention this now: My first Nub tasted a bit different then the second Nub. The reason? Because I realized that with such a short cigar you have to smoke this with pace or it gets super hot - really quick.

Verdict Is: I like the Nub Habano 466. From start to finish I enjoyed the taste and this cigar will be added to my collection. Another factor to wanting to add this to the smoke collection is the size of the Nub – IT’S UNIQUE. Why not have such a unique cigar in your humidor? I feel like this is a good tasting, in fact the beginning is great, it burns great, takes an hour to smoke, and its a conversation piece. At least go out and try one of these, you will not go broke at $6.

Other Cigars:
Higher Priced: Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario cigars by Arturo Fuente
Same Price: La Gloria Cubana Series R
Lower Priced: JFR Maduro by Tabacalera Tropical

Oliva Serie G Maduro

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano Sun-Grown
Size: Torpedo
Strength: Medium

The Oliva Serie G Maduro is a world class cigar that has a pricing point anyone can afford. I do not have much of an introduction to this amazing cigar. Read the review and follow my advice at the end.

Construction: Dark, oily, and looks like silk. Oliva G has got to have one of the best wrappers for the price of this cigar. I happened to smoke the torpedo during the photo session (actually remembered my phone) but every cigar in the line feels and looks absolutely wonderful. The lines on the wrapper were clean and the maduro cigar felt firm, but not too tight. There were no wrapper issues during smoking.

Draw: By the feel of the cigar I thought the G would have a slightly rough draw. I was wrong. Sorry for the doubt Oliva; this produced a perfect draw.

Burn: Perfectly even throughout the entire cigar, nice white ash that stays on, and it didn’t get too hot. Can I say anything else?

Taste: Oliva G Maduro gives you the full maduro taste without being overpowering, even for people who are not used to smoking maduros. From start to finish the G is just super creamy and leaves your pallet wanting more. Throughout the smoke you get a hint of coffee and dark chocolate. The spice from the Nicaraguan filler was introduced in the beginning of the cigar but seemed to fade out as I continued to smoke. Around the mid point of the cigar I would say the G really graduates to the big boy club. Everything that I thought was fantastic - turned GREAT.

Verdict Is: GET THIS CIGAR NOW. Add some to your humidor if you don’t have any already. This is the kind of cigar that you purchase by the box. If you must try it out first, which is understandable, you will also notice that this stick retails for about $4.00.

Again, if you are new to cigars, new to maduros, or afraid to try it because of the wrapper – don’t be. This is a great cigar that everyone will love.

Other Cigars:
Higher Priced: Casa Fuente by Arturo Fuente
Same Price: I would also consider the JFR Maduro by Tabacalera Tropical.
Lower Priced: Yet to be discovered.