At this years PCA Trade show, Oliva Cigars showcased their latest addition to their popular Serie V line. This though, was not just any ordinary extension, it is a celebration of the 135 years Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Cuba’s Pinar del Río region launching the Oliva tobacco family. It is appropriately named the Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary.
Not only is it a celebration, but it is pressed into a rather unique perfecto vitola. It almost looks like a baseball bat minus the knob with it large triple capped head and tapered foot. The size is described as (6.5 x 54).
The blend is the same as the regular Serie V line, which is described as:
- Wrapper -Ecuadorian
- Binder – Nicaragua
- Filler – Nicaragua
The cigars are packaged in an eye-catching, 12-count box and has an MSRP set at $10.00/cigar. It is a limited production cigar with just 15,000 boxes produced (180,000 cigars) and you may pay a premium depending on where you find them. As for me I purchased two of these from my local Brick & Mortar – Executive Cigar SHop and Lounge in Melbourne, FL.
Pre-Light Examination
As noted, the Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary is unique looking cigar but is excellently constructed with its dark reddish brown Ecuadorian wrapper that sports minimal veins an a mild oily sheen. The cigar is packed well, with no soft spots along the barrel and feels heavy in the hand. An expertly applied triple cap finishes the presentation.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band is the standard Oliva V brandmark., but to distinguish it from others, besides the shape, a secondary band is applied on the foot. The secondary band displays 4 golden coins along with the gold number 135 in a brown circle.
Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary Edicion Limitada Perfecto 
Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary Edicion Limitada Perfecto
Running the cigar along the nose, I picked a mildly sweet and spicy aroma along the barrel, but not much off the foot.
Now let me remind you, you slice the the fat on and light the thin end of this vitola. With that said, I sliced the cap with my double blade cutter and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs. I found the draw to be quite decent with restriction. while it offers notes of mild spice and earth. Additional puffs bring out more of a cayenne pepper on the tongue. Quite inviting indeed!
Well, it was time to fire it up and get the journey started. I decided not to warm the foot like I would normally do, since it is such a small ring gauge. I opted just to use a cigar stick match for this. The foot took right to the flame as I drew in the first puffs of a decent pepper shot. Follow along, as burn this one to ash!
Cigar Review Notes
- Decent pepper shot off first light
- White pepper notes grace the throat
- Beautiful volume of smoke is pouring out the head on each puff
- Leather notes join the mix along with a developing natural sweetness
- Solid white ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Hint of cedar rests in the background
- Dark chocolate notes develop creating an added interest
- There is a mild jag in the burn but no major issues
- Sweet aroma fills the air around me
- Ash fell after the first third revealing a well defined and centered burn cone
- Toasted caramel begins to add to the early chocolate notes
- Strength begins to ratchet up to medium plus
- Woody and increased spice notes midway
- Spicy pepper increases through the final but balance well with the sweet and chocolate notes that swirl behind
- Finishes with full strength
- Total Smoking Time was a pleasurable 1 hour and 30 minutes
Final Analysis
If you a fan of the Oliva Serie V, you are going to love this vitola. If you have not had an Oliva Serie V or have not had one in awhile, this may be one to add to your rotation. It was a very well balanced and pleasurable smoke from foot to nub with nothing more that a slight jag in the burn through journey. It never required a touch up and stayed ignited even when laid to rest for a moment here and there. The dark chocolate, caramel, and peppery spice played well together along with the undertone of natural tobacco sweetness. This is certainly worth a box buy and I rate it a solid 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Jag in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy a Box; (+1) Positive and Consistent experience across multiple samples
