Oliva Serie 'V' Maduro 2008 Torpedo Review

[Cardinal]

Cigar: Oliva Serie 'V' Maduro 2008
Size: Torpedo 6.5" x 52
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: MSRP ~$7.00

Initial Impression/Prelight
This Serie 'V' Maduro was from the 2008 release, and while the cellophane was well yellowed, the cigar didn't show any visible signs of being 8 years old. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper was deep, chocolate brown, fairly smooth and retained a light oil. I could barely find the seams, and the cigar appeared well-rolled and firmly packed.

I picked up dry cocoa powder and a unique, almost buttered mushroom aroma from the wrapper and foot. I clipped the tapered torpedo head, and tasted a slightly sweet hay on the firm cold draw.

This is the second cigar I've smoked from this box, the last being nearly a year ago. It's been in my humidor for around a year at 65%. Oddly, I've given away more of these to friends on the forum than I've actually smoked myself, but I'd been waiting for a good occasion to smoke another, and today is the day.



1st Third
The 'V' Maduro started out with rich chocolate, cedar, and sweet coffee flavors. I picked up no pepper at all, and the retrohale was creamy and smooth with light baking spices and more cedar. The draw was slightly tight, and the smoke output was a little sub-par at the start. I clipped off a little more, which helped some. The flavor was solidly medium and mild strength at most.



2nd Third
In this section the draw opened up considerably, and the smoke output increased accordingly to a touch above average. The smoke also got richer and thicker, and the profile went from middle to more on the creamy side. I picked up leather here, along with roasted nuts and a hint of nutmeg to go along with the dark chocolate and more of a black coffee in this section. I also got a touch of meatiness towards the end of the 2nd third.



Final Third
I had to touch up the wrapper to help it along here, but I know it didn't help that I was smoking very slowly. I got a darker, bittersweet chocolate in the last section, along with more leather and mellow cedar. I also picked up a peanut butter flavor, which is exactly what I remember from the first one of these I smoked. I don't remember that taste from any other cigar I've smoked, and it was great and went well with the chocolate, almost like a Reeses Peanut Butter cup thing.



Overall Impressions
Well, this was a good cigar. I thought age had taken the strength down, but when I stood up at the end my head swam a little, and I'll say it's retained medium-full strength. Age hasn't dulled the flavors either, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate and nuttiness throughout. Especially towards the end, it almost felt like letting little piece of 70% cocoa dark chocolate melt in my mouth. Awesome.

I retrohaled a ton (for me) during this cigar, probably every 8-10 puffs, and it stayed smooth and enjoyable. The cigar was creamy and slow-burning, and I'm looking forward to smoking the rest of the box.

This was a treat, and 7 years later the 'V' Maduro is smoking like a dream. If you ever have a chance to lay your hands on this release, I'd jump on it.



Update: updated strength estimate - I wrote the review as I smoked, and it didn't hit me until I stood up.