Oliva series v maduro 2018 double robusto

[Don Fernando]

For over a decade, Oliva releases a yearly limited edition Oliva series V Maduro version. It started in 2008 with a torpedo, a shape they used for a few years before turning to a double toro and every now and then another vitola. And for a year or two, Europe would get an ‘edicion Europa’, like in 2010 when a short robusto was released in Europe only.



For 2018, Oliva decided to go for a 6×60 double toro and a 5×54 double robusto. Made with Nicaraguan filler and binder, the exact same blend as for the Habano wrapped, regular production, Oliva series V. The wrapper is a Mexican San Andres Maduro, the same wrapper that Oliva has been using for these limited editions for the last few years.



Name: Oliva Serie V Maduro
Country: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Oliva
Size: 5×54
Vitola: Double Robusto
Wrapper: Mexico San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: € 10,00
Cutter: Xikar X2
Lighter: single flame
Smoke conditions: indoors with ventilator
Smoke time: two hours
Purchased at Cigaragua

The cigar looks mean but mean in a good way. The wrapper is dark with tooth, like sanding paper, with a quite noticeable vein all over the cigar. The ring looks exactly like the regular brown and gold Oliva series V ring, except for the letters ‘Maduro especial’ in a small font. A secondary ring with limited edition and the year of release would be a good idea, especially if the same vitola is used several years in a row. The cigar feels hard to the touch. The aroma has depth, is strong and smells like manure and charred wood.

A good cold draw leaves a peppery raisin flavor. Once lit, the cigar releases aromas of coffee, herbs, and pepper with mild powdered sugar sweetness. The flavors change to sweet cinnamon toast. After a centimeter, that cinnamon toast, pepper and grass are the flavors. Then dark chocolate shows up for a while. The second third starts with wood, spices pepper and leather and those flavors remain till the final third. The final third has a dark chocolate flavor with pepper and the other flavors mentioned above as background flavors.


The construction of the cigar is good, the draw, burn and ash are good. The salt and pepper colored ash is actually very firm. The medium-full flavored cigar is full-bodied. The smoke time is two hours.



Strength: full
Flavor: medium-full

For the final score with a scientific diagram, a video and pictures, go to: https://ministryofcigars.com/oliva-s...ouble-robusto/