Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2009
Olivas second annual release of the Serie V Maduro was limited to 50,000 sticks. It is the same blend as the Serie V but with a maduro wrapper on it. Ben and I are both big fans of Oliva they make a great cigar at a great price so we were excited to review this cigar!
Pre-Light: We both are hit with cedar and cocoa notes on the pre-light.
First Third: This torpedo starts out with a sweet cocoa and black pepper taste. The cocoa flavors are very rich, but slightly more bitter than a traditional chocolate flavor. The pepper begins to recede and a mild sage note pops up momentarily. Soon enough the sage turns into a nice clove (or possibly a cardamom) and pairs beautifully with the cocoa. Dry, earthy tones come around at the end of this third, and the clove starts to dwindle.
Second Third: As the earthy flavors give way to a rich, sweet chocolate, this cigar is producing volumes of thick, creamy smoke. Cinnamon shows up as well, and Ben and I are more than impressed with how the cigar is smoking at this point! Much to our delight, the rest of this third is all a sweet chocolate and cinnamon.
Final Third: The rich chocolate bitters out into a natural cocoa bean taste. The cinnamon is still there, but seems to be giving way to an earthy, floral flavor. With an inch and a half left, we notice that the cocoa is what actually leaves the cigar. Left with a delicious floral and cinnamon taste, we nub this cigar after a satisfying 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The 2009 Serie V Maduro was great when it came out, and has since mellowed a bit. Ben and I were very impressed at how refined and complex it has become, and look forward to smoking more of these! We would value it at $10-12, which is probably spot on with their going rate if you happen to run across any.
where to find: Private collections, online cigar forums
expect to pay: $10-15
Olivas second annual release of the Serie V Maduro was limited to 50,000 sticks. It is the same blend as the Serie V but with a maduro wrapper on it. Ben and I are both big fans of Oliva they make a great cigar at a great price so we were excited to review this cigar!
Pre-Light: We both are hit with cedar and cocoa notes on the pre-light.
First Third: This torpedo starts out with a sweet cocoa and black pepper taste. The cocoa flavors are very rich, but slightly more bitter than a traditional chocolate flavor. The pepper begins to recede and a mild sage note pops up momentarily. Soon enough the sage turns into a nice clove (or possibly a cardamom) and pairs beautifully with the cocoa. Dry, earthy tones come around at the end of this third, and the clove starts to dwindle.
Second Third: As the earthy flavors give way to a rich, sweet chocolate, this cigar is producing volumes of thick, creamy smoke. Cinnamon shows up as well, and Ben and I are more than impressed with how the cigar is smoking at this point! Much to our delight, the rest of this third is all a sweet chocolate and cinnamon.
Final Third: The rich chocolate bitters out into a natural cocoa bean taste. The cinnamon is still there, but seems to be giving way to an earthy, floral flavor. With an inch and a half left, we notice that the cocoa is what actually leaves the cigar. Left with a delicious floral and cinnamon taste, we nub this cigar after a satisfying 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The 2009 Serie V Maduro was great when it came out, and has since mellowed a bit. Ben and I were very impressed at how refined and complex it has become, and look forward to smoking more of these! We would value it at $10-12, which is probably spot on with their going rate if you happen to run across any.
where to find: Private collections, online cigar forums
expect to pay: $10-15
