Oliva Serie V Melanio
Wednesday, March 13th, 2013I rarely smoke Oliva cigars anymore, but I recall liking the original Serie V. When I came across the Melanio at Ed’s shop, I had to grab a few. With some minimal research, I found out that the blend is completely different from the original Serie V.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Robusto 5 x 52
Price: Around $9.00
Pre-Smoke & Construction:
The wrapper was oily, smooth, and blotchy looking. It reminded me of wood grain. The odor of the wrapper and foot was barnyard. There were some tight spots in the cigar, which probably explained a draw that was a bit snug. The pre-light flavor was woody and earthy.
Once lit, the draw loosened up quite a bit. The ash held for about an inch, and the burn required one minor correction.
Flavor:
The first third started off with a smooth peppery spice. Wood, coffee, and cocoa entered the flavor profile, in that order, one at a time. The smoke feel became thick and boarded on creaminess.
The second third had an interesting nutty component. It was mixed evenly with wood, coffee, and cocoa. The pepper calmed down quite a bit, allowing the flavors to stand out. The smoke feel became creamy and tingly sweet.
The last third became very creamy and sweet. Everything fired on all cylinders. Cocoa and coffee coated the entire palate, with just a touch of pepper. Simple, but very good.
Conclusion:
This was a very good full bodied cigar. I was ready to slam Oliva for the asking price, which is a bit out of my comfort zone for a robusto. I’m still on the fence about it, and I definitely would smoke more if it were cheaper. But, this was quite a tasty treat. Price aside, the Melanio delivered where it counts. If price isn’t a big deal to you, it’s worth picking up a few.