Oliva Serie G Review

[Jordan23]

Cigar: Oliva Serie G
Wrapper: Cameroon (African); Binder: Habano; Filler: Nicaraguan Habano
Year: Unknown.
Vitola: Double Robusto 5 X 54
Stored: 63-65 RH
Time in humi/cooler: 2 years, 10 months
Paired with: Water
My system: Under 70: Not worth smoking. 70: Solid cigar. 80: Good cigar. 90: Excellent 100: As good as it gets.

Intro: A few years ago this was one of my favorite smokes. I haven’t had one in a while, so I’m curious to see if this remains true.

Construction: It had burn issues throughout such as canoeing and a few relights. However, some of that is probably due to the environment as I smoked it in a casino (exhaust fans). The draw throughout was fine.

Pre light: Like most Gs I’ve seen, the wrapper is greenish yellow with just a few veins, and the wrapper looks dry. When I sniff the wrapper, I don't smell much. If anything, there is a faint sweetness. Pre draw I get a dry woody note.


Opening: It opens with a slightly creamy and dry taste that I get with most Cameroon wrappers. Retrohale brings pepper through the sinuses with a coffee finish on the palate. The smoke is smooth and a touch spicy.

1st: Warm toasty tobacco is present. There is also a butteriness thrown in. The smoke feel is thin, but still finishes with a nice coffee/almond taste on the palate. There is also some spice on the palate.

2nd: The coffee has moved to the forefront. The spice on the palate has settled down a great deal. A few retrohales bring smooth toasty tobacco with very light pepper. The ash is flaky looking yet firm. The body is lower medium. There are still almonds and nuts with a sweeter coffee finish.

3rd: Straight as an arrow in the flavor profile, as not much changes. The only change is the wrapper developed a crack.

Overall: This is a solid (not great) morning smoke to pair with coffee. It’s also great for new smokers because its not overpowering or over complex. If you're an experienced smoker looking for a flavor bomb or great complexity I would pass. 76/100

[Browns7213]

Nice review! Big fan of the Special G as a morning smoke. What is the panel in front of you?

[Sweet Cigars]

Awesome review, I love the "V" but have not tried the "G" yet.

[herman]

Good review. I need to revisit this one myself. I remember I didn't care for it much in my earlier days, but really enjoy the maddies. Funny you mention the spice because some from my first purchase don't seem to have any, but my latest purchase, they all open up with a little pepper that quickly fades out.

[Jordan23]

Nice review! Big fan of the Special G as a morning smoke. What is the panel in front of you?

Thanks David. It's a slot machine.

[Jordan23]

Good review. I need to revisit this one myself. I remember I didn't care for it much in my earlier days, but really enjoy the maddies. Funny you mention the spice because some from my first purchase don't seem to have any, but my latest purchase, they all open up with a little pepper that quickly fades out.

The maddies might be my favorite Oliva period.