Oliva Serie O Toro

BlackIrish · 04-26-2009, 05:42 PM

The cigar: Oliva Serie O Toro

Nutritional information
Vitola: 6x50 toro
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan sungrown habano seed
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

I'm a big fan of Oliva cigars because they offer great flavor at an affordable price point. This was my first Oliva Serie O, a toro that had been in my humidor for about a year, with the cello beginning to yellow.

The Marketing
Here's what the Oliva folks have to say about it:

Serie O is a Nicaraguan Puro. Made in the original Cuban tradition of growing the same Habano seed in diverse regions of the country to produce a distinct blend. This blend was achieved by growing Habano in Esteli, Condega and Jalapa Valley.

CI says:
The original Oliva ’O’ renamed and repackaged....but tasty as ever!

This is a classic Oliva blend that helped put them on the map. The highly acclaimed ’O’ series offers a diverse range of robust flavors that are chewy and rich, yet smooth from start to finish. A Nicaraguan puro that boasts a dark Habano-seed wrapper. Serie ‘O’ is a triumph for Oliva.

Alert: Oliva Serie ’O’ has been named one of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 50 Cigars. Along with a ’92’ rating, the magazine noted, "The cigar has gorgeous color and a lush wrapper. It draws well, showing cedar, toast, leather and coffee notes. A complex and balanced full-bodied cigar."

Prelight: The sungrown habano wrapper just looks tasty. It's dark brown, still a bit oily even after a year in the humidor, with just a few veins. There are a couple of water spots visible, and one bigger one when I remove the band. It's well-rolled and full, but not hard, with a little give on the squeeze. Eyeing the foot, I can see good bunching, while my nose picks up some earth and leather. The cap takes a cut well, and I found the draw to be easy.

Construction and burn: Construction was top notch. The draw stayed free through the entire smoke. The burn is quite good, with the first ash growing to an inch and a half. I was smoking outdoors in a bit of a breeze (it's a beautiful 80 degree April day in Boston!), so I got a little wobble and the ash got a bit flaky, but I'm sure this was due to smoking conditions and not construction. The cigar lasted just a touch over an hour, producing generous amounts of smoke.

Flavor: This Nicaraguan puro has a bit more oomph than the Serie G. The opening flavors were coffee with some Nicaraguan sweetness. The second third brought quite a bit of cedar, some caramel, and a little spice. The last third was marked by leather and stronger, more peppery spice. When I started to get a sour note or two in the last two inches, I cashed out.

Overall, a very good straightforward smoke that offers full flavor. A great go-to cigar.

G G · 04-26-2009, 05:44 PM

I love em myself. Thanks for the review Eddie.

04-26-2009, 06:04 PM

That's about as good a review as they come

Well written to say the least.
Thanks

Pat1075 · 04-26-2009, 06:27 PM

A great review as always thank you. It's been a while since I've had one of these I will definitely have to revisit it.

colimo · 04-26-2009, 06:35 PM

great review....olivas are one of my favorite NC smokes....dont remember if i have smoked that one yet or not, but will make sure i do.

04-26-2009, 05:42 PM	#1
BlackIrish MassHole Militia Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Eddie Location: Bunker Hill Posts: 1,395 Trading: (55)	Oliva Serie O Toro The cigar: Oliva Serie O Toro Nutritional information Vitola: 6x50 toro Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaraguan sungrown habano seed Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua I'm a big fan of Oliva cigars because they offer great flavor at an affordable price point. This was my first Oliva Serie O, a toro that had been in my humidor for about a year, with the cello beginning to yellow. The Marketing Here's what the Oliva folks have to say about it: Serie O is a Nicaraguan Puro. Made in the original Cuban tradition of growing the same Habano seed in diverse regions of the country to produce a distinct blend. This blend was achieved by growing Habano in Esteli, Condega and Jalapa Valley. CI says: The original Oliva ’O’ renamed and repackaged....but tasty as ever! This is a classic Oliva blend that helped put them on the map. The highly acclaimed ’O’ series offers a diverse range of robust flavors that are chewy and rich, yet smooth from start to finish. A Nicaraguan puro that boasts a dark Habano-seed wrapper. Serie ‘O’ is a triumph for Oliva. Alert: Oliva Serie ’O’ has been named one of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 50 Cigars. Along with a ’92’ rating, the magazine noted, "The cigar has gorgeous color and a lush wrapper. It draws well, showing cedar, toast, leather and coffee notes. A complex and balanced full-bodied cigar." Prelight: The sungrown habano wrapper just looks tasty. It's dark brown, still a bit oily even after a year in the humidor, with just a few veins. There are a couple of water spots visible, and one bigger one when I remove the band. It's well-rolled and full, but not hard, with a little give on the squeeze. Eyeing the foot, I can see good bunching, while my nose picks up some earth and leather. The cap takes a cut well, and I found the draw to be easy. Construction and burn: Construction was top notch. The draw stayed free through the entire smoke. The burn is quite good, with the first ash growing to an inch and a half. I was smoking outdoors in a bit of a breeze (it's a beautiful 80 degree April day in Boston!), so I got a little wobble and the ash got a bit flaky, but I'm sure this was due to smoking conditions and not construction. The cigar lasted just a touch over an hour, producing generous amounts of smoke. Flavor: This Nicaraguan puro has a bit more oomph than the Serie G. The opening flavors were coffee with some Nicaraguan sweetness. The second third brought quite a bit of cedar, some caramel, and a little spice. The last third was marked by leather and stronger, more peppery spice. When I started to get a sour note or two in the last two inches, I cashed out. Overall, a very good straightforward smoke that offers full flavor. A great go-to cigar. __________________

04-26-2009, 05:44 PM	#2
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,730 Trading: (10)	Re: Oliva Serie O Toro I love em myself. Thanks for the review Eddie.

04-26-2009, 06:04 PM	#3
dentonparrots Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Oliva Serie O Toro That's about as good a review as they come Well written to say the least. Thanks

04-26-2009, 06:27 PM	#4
Pat1075 Feeling at Home Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Patrick Location: Lakewood, OH Posts: 755 Trading: (11)	Re: Oliva Serie O Toro A great review as always thank you. It's been a while since I've had one of these I will definitely have to revisit it.

04-26-2009, 06:35 PM	#5
colimo friend of Brother Maynard Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: doug Location: centennial, colorado Posts: 1,322 Trading: (41)	Re: Oliva Serie O Toro great review....olivas are one of my favorite NC smokes....dont remember if i have smoked that one yet or not, but will make sure i do. __________________ Life is too short for cheap beer, cheap liguor and bad cigars...gimme a guinness, glenlivet and a good cigar on a golf course and its heaven on earth!!