Oliva Cigars Buying Guide
When it comes to premium cigars, Oliva Cigars is a name that's been kicking around the humidor for decades, and for good reason. Whether you're just getting your feet wet or burning through sticks for years, Oliva's lineup has something that'll catch your eye—and your palate. Our Oliva Cigars guide is your go-to if you want to learn about their offerings, from the bold and complex Serie V to the smooth and refined Connecticut Reserve.
We're here to break down what makes Oliva a staple in any enthusiast's rotation, and why these Nicaraguan beauties deserve a coveted spot in your humidor. By the end, you'll be well-versed in the ins and outs of Oliva's best offerings, ready to make an informed choice for your next purchase.
Why Choose Oliva Cigars?
The Oliva family began cultivating some of the finest tobacco in the world in 1886, initially in Cuba and later in the rich soils of Nicaragua. This deep-rooted history has followed them into the manufacturing side of the cigar industry; quality is reflected in every stick that bears the Oliva name, making them a staple for beginners and seasoned cigar enthusiasts.
Oliva Cigars is a brand that stands on tradition, with a reputation built over generations. Starting with Melanio Oliva's early efforts in Cuba, the brand has evolved through wars, revolutions, and relocations, always with an eye on producing top-tier tobacco. Today, under the ownership of J. Cortes Cigars – and with the involvement of the five Oliva siblings, Oliva continues to be a name synonymous with quality and consistency.
Quality and Craftsmanship
One of the main reasons enthusiasts gravitate towards Oliva Cigars is their unparalleled craftsmanship. Oliva controls the entire production process, from seed to smoke. Their tobacco is primarily grown in Nicaragua, where the unique climate and soil composition produce leaves with a distinct flavor profile that's hard to replicate.
Each Oliva cigar is painstakingly rolled by hand by experienced artisans. This process—carried out in their state-of-the-art Estelí facility—ensures that every cigar has a consistent burn, draw, and construction. Such attention to detail results in an exceptionally reliable smoking experience, free from the common issues that can arise with machine-rolled or mass-produced cigars. This level of craftsmanship has been instrumental in building Oliva’s reputation, leading to numerous high ratings and industry awards for so many of their lines.
The Best Oliva Cigars to Add to Your Humidor
If you're building out your humidor, you'll want to stock up on some of the best Oliva Cigars has to offer. Known for their consistency and craftsmanship, Oliva's cigars have become staples in the collections of aficionados worldwide.
Here are the top picks you should consider adding to your rotation.
Oliva Serie V
The Oliva Serie V line is widely considered Oliva’s crown jewel. This full-bodied masterpiece is built on a core of expertly fermented Nicaraguan Jalapa Valley ligero long-fillers and a Nicaraguan binder, all wrapped in a sun-kissed Cuban seed leaf from Ecuador. Despite all its boldness, the Serie V remains smooth and balanced from start to finish, making it a favorite among aficionados.
The Serie V earns top marks as one of the world's most cherished cigars, with industry ratings in the 90s and awards from Cigar Journal and Cigar Aficionado. Think of it as a go-to for those occasions when you want something with weight, flavor, and some serious kick.
Oliva Serie V Tasting Notes
Natural (Habano): The Serie V Natural is a powerhouse cigar, starting off with a strong blast of pepper and leather that gradually mellows into a blend of dark chocolate, coffee, and earthy tones. Midway through, notes of cedar and a subtle sweetness emerge, balanced by an underlying spice that lasts through the final third.
Maduro (San Andres): The Serie V Maduro brings an extra layer of richness, kicking off with bold espresso and dark cocoa flavors. The San Andres wrapper adds depth with molasses and dark fruit notes, and you’ll pick up hints of spice and earthiness all the way to the nub, making this a robust experience for seasoned smokers.
Oliva Serie V Cigars Review
Full-bodied yet remarkably balanced, the Oliva Serie V is one of the best-known cigars in the world. To learn more about what makes this cigar a standout, check out our review video.
Oliva Serie V Melanio
If the Serie V is the crown jewel, the Oliva Serie V Melanio is the showstopper. Named in honor of Melanio Oliva, the family patriarch, the Oliva Serie V Melanio has earned top honors in the industry, including a #1 ranking from Cigar Aficionado in 2014.
This luxurious blend of top-grade Jalapa-grown Nicaraguan Habano tobaccos provides smokers with a full-flavored yet incredibly smooth profile. It’s a top choice for a relaxed evening, especially if you’re looking to unwind and let time slow down. If there’s ever a cigar to mark a special occasion, this is it.
Oliva Serie V Melanio Tasting Notes
Natural (Sumatra): This award-winning smoke opens with a perfect balance of spice and sweetness, featuring notes of caramel, nuts, and dark fruit. The Sumatra wrapper complements the blend with hints of cinnamon and toasted wood, transitioning to a creamier, more refined finish as it burns.
Maduro (San Andres): The Melanio Maduro is a decadent, complex cigar that begins with rich chocolate and espresso notes. Moving into the second third, flavors of dark fruit, black pepper, and leather develop, finishing with a hint of sweetness that makes this one a real knockout.
Oliva Serie O
The Oliva Serie O is a well-rounded option that falls somewhere between the Oliva Serie G and the Oliva Serie V in strength. This medium—to full-bodied cigar goes back to the basics with a Habano puro blend, using only Habano seed tobaccos grown in Nicaragua’s three key regions: Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa Valley.
Whether you’re kicking back with a cup of coffee in the afternoon or unwinding with a bourbon after work, the Serie O won’t disappoint. It’s straightforward, satisfying, and exactly what you’d expect from a true Nicaraguan puro.
Oliva Serie O Tasting Notes
Natural (Habano): Often described as the “Goldilocks” of the Oliva lineup, Serie O Natural starts with a smooth, medium-bodied profile featuring cedar, nuts, and a touch of saltiness. Midway through, hints of cocoa, earth, and dried fruit come in, creating a well-rounded, creamy smoke.
Maduro (Broadleaf): The Serie O Maduro delivers a more intense flavor, with a strong opening of dark cocoa and coffee. As you continue, flavors of earth, caramel, and pepper balance out, giving you a bold but accessible smoke that’s good for pairing with a rich coffee or even whiskey.
Oliva Serie G
The Oliva Serie G is a unique pick in the Oliva portfolio. This medium-bodied cigar combines the earthy richness of Nicaraguan Habano fillers with the smooth toastiness of the Cameroon leaf or the dark, mouthwatering quality of the Maduro wrapper. It's a mellow smoke that still brings complexity, making it ideal for smokers who appreciate a little extra character without the heavy hit of a full-bodied cigar.
Great for those afternoons when you want something flavorful but not too intense, the Serie G is smooth sailing from start to finish.
Oliva Serie G Tasting Notes
Natural (Cameroon): Wrapped in a genuine African Cameroon leaf, the Serie G Natural begins with flavors of cedar and coffee. The medium-bodied profile is smooth, with hints of spice and nuttiness adding complexity without overwhelming the palate.
Maduro (Broadleaf): The Maduro version of Serie G brings out deeper chocolate and espresso notes right off the bat. As it burns, a touch of earth and a hint of sweetness emerge, making this a smooth, enjoyable smoke that’s great with a scotch or bourbon.
Flor de Oliva
Don't let the price tag fool you—the Flor de Oliva is a value cigar that punches well above its weight. Handmade in Estelí, Nicaragua, Flor de Oliva cigars are made with 100% Nicaraguan long-fillers, providing a well-rounded, medium-bodied smoke. For a budget stick, Flor de Oliva delivers more than you’d expect in terms of both quality and taste—it’s a wallet-friendly smoke that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
This is your “any day, any time” cigar. Perfect for casual smoking sessions, whether you’re mowing the lawn, grilling, or just kicking back on the porch.
Flor de Oliva Tasting Notes
Natural (Sumatra): The Flor de Oliva Natural is smooth yet flavorful, offering sweet spice and caramel on the draw. It’s balanced and medium-bodied, with an easygoing profile that makes it great for newer smokers or those looking for an affordable daily smoke.
Natural (Corojo): A bit bolder than the Sumatra, the Corojo-wrapped Flor de Oliva brings more pepper and earth into the mix. Notes of cedar and spice round it out, offering a satisfying medium-bodied smoke for those who prefer a bit of kick.
Maduro (Broadleaf): The Maduro-wrapped Flor de Oliva opens with a rich chocolate and coffee taste, followed by subtle hints of pepper and leather. The well-aged Broadleaf wrapper makes this a great value choice for fans of fuller-bodied smokes.
Gold (Connecticut): Mild and creamy, the Gold Connecticut version of Flor de Oliva offers nuances of vanilla, nuts, and oak. It’s smooth and mild, perfect for those who enjoy a mellow, easygoing cigar with their morning coffee.
Oliva Connecticut Reserve
The Oliva Connecticut Reserve is Oliva’s nod to the mellow side of smoking without skimping on flavor. This mild to medium-bodied cigar sports an elegant Ecuador Connecticut wrapper that brings smoothness to the forefront. It’s the kind of cigar you can light up first thing in the morning, but with enough depth to keep even seasoned smokers interested. This is Oliva’s way of proving that “mild” doesn’t have to mean “boring.”
If you’re looking to wind down and don’t want anything too heavy, the Connecticut Reserve is your mellow but flavorful companion.
Oliva Connecticut Reserve Tasting Notes
Connecticut Reserve brings buttery, nutty flavors with a touch of spice and a soft, creamy finish. There’s a bit of sweetness on the retrohale, rounding out a profile that’s smooth yet layered. This is an easygoing cigar that lets you enjoy classic Connecticut flavors without being bland, perfect for easing into the day.
Oliva Master Blends 3
The Oliva Master Blends 3 is for the serious aficionado – a limited-edition, small-batch cigar that’s crafted with rare, high-quality tobaccos. This full-bodied stick is designed to showcase the best of Oliva’s blending skills and premium tobacco selection. It’s rich, intense, and complex, with the kind of flavor profile that sticks with you.
This is the cigar you pull out when you’re in the mood for something truly special. Perfect for an evening where you can sit back, relax, and really take your time. Pair it with a fine single malt scotch or an aged whiskey to complement its bold profile. If you’re a cigar lover who appreciates craftsmanship and rarity, Master Blends 3 is a must-have addition to the humidor.
Oliva Master Blends 3 Tasting Notes
This blend serves up a powerful mix of espresso, cocoa, and spice, all thanks to its Nicaraguan ligero fillers wrapped in a rich Broadleaf sun-grown wrapper. The flavor is dense and complex, developing as you smoke with layers of earth, leather, and a touch of sweetness. This cigar is made to be savored slowly – every draw reveals something new, making it a true journey for the palate.
Where to Buy Oliva Cigars
For sheer convenience and a broad selection, buying cigars online is hard to beat. Reputable online retailers like Famous Smoke Shop offer a vast array of Oliva products, including single sticks, full boxes, and Oliva cigar samplers. Shopping online also lets you read Oliva cigar reviews from fellow enthusiasts, helping you make a more informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oliva Cigars
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Oliva Cigars, check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions below.
How should I properly store my Oliva cigars?
Like all premium cigars, Oliva cigars should be stored in a humidor at around 70% humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain their flavor and prevent drying out. Proper storage ensures that your cigars will be in perfect smoking condition whenever you're ready to enjoy them.
Are Oliva cigars handmade?
Yes, all Oliva Cigars are handcrafted by skilled artisans. The brand is known for its meticulous attention to detail in the cigar-making process, from the careful selection of tobacco leaves to the precise rolling technique, ensuring each cigar delivers a premium smoking experience.
What is the difference between Oliva Serie V and Oliva Serie G?
The Oliva Serie V is known for its full-bodied strength and complex flavor profile, often featuring dark chocolate, coffee, and spice notes. In contrast, the Oliva Serie G is a medium-bodied cigar with a smoother, nutty flavor, often with hints of cedar and coffee. The Serie G also features a Cameroon wrapper, which adds a unique sweetness to the smoke.
Find the Best Oliva Cigars for Your Palate at Famous Smoke Shop
Explore the world of Oliva Cigars right here at Famous Smoke Shop, where we offer an extensive selection of their finest cigars, including customer favorites like the Serie V and Melanio. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just starting out, our curated range ensures you'll find the perfect smoke to suit your palate.
Don't miss out on the chance to add some of the industry's most respected cigars to your humidor. Check out our collection and discover why Oliva is a must-have for any cigar lover.