The review for this week’s cigar is something very special for Stogie Review. Today we have a review of the Pre Release Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial. This cigar is due to hit the streets shortly after the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers Association) Trade Show in Houston.
You may be wondering how I came into possession of this cigar so far in advance. A few weeks ago I attended a small Herf at a local cigar shop. One of the attendees happened to be my local Oliva Cigar Family Sales Rep. After the event I had plans to stop up at the same cigar shop to pick up a couple cigars for an upcoming review. I Emailed Dave and let him know I would be in the area and told him to stop in if he was in the area.
We got together again and smoked a couple cigars and I was asked if I would be willing to review a cigar. My answer was yes of course and he began telling me about the Serie V and went on to tell me that Stogie Review would be one of the few people to get the opportunity to smoke and review the pre release cigar, all with Jose Oliva’s approval.
We got together again the Following Friday and I picked up the cigar. Because this is a pre release stick, there was no packaging to look over, or a band to admire. It was simply a cigar in a cellophane sleeve.
The following night I decided that I wanted to fire up this stick and see what the new blend was all about. After removing it from the cellophane I took a few minutes to look over it really well. The wrapper had a nice oily sheen to it with a smooth texture. When held up to the light the oily wrapper looked shiny. When pinched the stick felt firm and packed with tobacco. The aroma on the both the foot and wrapper was very rich and attractive. After a quick and easy cut I had the head opened up and found the pre light draw to be excellent.
After my ritualistic toast and light, I had my Serie V evenly lit and producing thick clouds of flavorful smoke. Right from the start this cigar produces a rich and pleasant smoke that sits firmly in the Medium to Full bodied spectrum. The finish to start is nice and smooth as well as fairly short on the palate.
As I worked my way deeper into the first third of the stick I was really enjoying what the cigar had to offer. The body was making a smooth transition to Full while the finish remained fairly short on the palate and smooth. Each puff left me with the sensation that it was coating my mouth with flavor, leaving me with a thick mouth feel. The base flavor was a rich tobacco flavor with a mild woody aftertaste and a mild spice when blown through the sinuses. The ash looked a little flaky on the outside, but had a solid core that held for over an inch before needing to be tapped off and into the ashtray.
At this point I could see exactly where this cigar was going. I began to feel like I just had a beer or two and was begging to get a mild euphoric feeling as I began to get a little light headed. The amazing part about this is that the cigar was so smooth that I would have never expected it. The smoke remained so smooth and flavorful that I overlooked the power of the cigar that was beginning to take affect.
As time progressed I worked my way into the second third of my Serie V. The body made a complete progression into the full spectrum while the finish remained smooth and easy on the palate. The base flavor remained a rich tobacco flavor with woody undertones and began to pick up a subtle salty flavor that began to make me salivate. There was also a flavor developing that I could not put my finger on, which I found it to be pleasant.
The body of the final third continued to progress further into the Full spectrum while remaining smooth and easy on the palate. The base flavor remained a rich tobacco flavor as the woody and salty flavors began to fade. I was now getting a new aftertaste that I found to be very interesting. After taking a puff and letting the smoke clear from my palate for a minute or so, I started to smack my lips and sort of chew on the air in my mouth and I could taste a sort of mint flavor. This sounds kind of strange coming from a cigar, but it was very nice.
The burn was slow and even all the way to the very end while producing an attractive pale grey ash. Like before, the ash was a little flaky on the outside but firm in the core. With an expected price tag of between $5.00 and $8.00 I think this is going to become a staple in the Full bodied cigar smoker’s humidor.
Overall I think that this was a fantastic cigar and a great example of how a powerful cigar can be blended to be so smooth and easy on the palate. This is the type of cigar that you should stay far, far away from if you have only been smoking cigars for a couple of months. The flavors have lots of complexity and character which you may find to be very enjoyable, but you definitely need to be prepared for the power of the smoke.
From what I understand, there will be limited events at local cigars shops to get your hands on this stick before its official release after RTDA. If this sounds like a cigar you would enjoy I would suggest getting in touch with your local Oliva Sales Rep. to find out if and where these events will be held in your area.
Interesting review, and well done. I like everything you said about the cigar. I will add this to my shopping list (whenever it comes available). Now I have to find out where to get it.
Nice review. Thanks.
Have you tried the Oliva S? It’s one of my favorites.
Great Review. Can’t wait for these to come out. I know a couple shops here in the Dallas area that will probably get them. Oliva cigars are excellent and I am sure this is no exception to this.
Anthony,
I’ve only had the pleasure of smoking 1 Series S and I did enjoy it.
I have one more from a sampler I received not too long ago. I’m planning on reviewing it, just not sure when I will get to it.
Great review Walt. How do you think it compares in strength to the La Flor Domincano Double Ligero Chisel you smoked a while back?
I didn’t smoke a Double Ligero, but I did smoke a regular La Flor Domincano Ligero and it got my stomach churning, yowza. So not sure I want to duplicate that experience heh.
But if this is milder and more flavorful, then I’ll pick some up for sure.
Dave
Dave,
The Serie V and the Double Ligero are similar in that they are both powerful cigars, but the similarities stop there.
When you smoke the Double Ligero you will find that it is a real “in your face” kind of cigar. Every puff you take will be heavy and flavorful on the palate. The Serie V is just the opposite. It is very flavorful but smooth on the palate, and it is just as powerful (maybe even more powerful) than the Double Ligero.
If you felt a little woozy over the single Ligero, I can guarantee that you will feel the Serie V in your stomach and that you will be a little light headed.
This is a creeper of a cigar. Instead of tasting the power of the smoke, you will feel it.
Excellent review of the Oliva Series V Ligero Especial
I’m looking forward to receiving a box of the robusto’s tomorrow from Serious Cigars in Houston Texas.
They are the only internet source I know of that has them available for sale after the 20th of June 07.I love Olvia Cigars in general but these sound great. I was told that they don’t have the Maduro’s for sale.
Jerry in Phoenix
I was just able to get my hands on a box of 24 this weekend. Beautifully packaged! A handsome stick with a gorgeous color. This cigar is very well constructed. Very flavorfull and poweful yet smooth on the palate. I get light headed and feel it in my stomach after each smoke. I highly recommend the series V smoking experience.
Great review Walt!
I’m glad I could join you (belatedly) in smoking one of these! Good point on the minty finish, I was trying to figure out what that clean sharp flavor was toward the end of the cigar… Very nice, indeed.
I’m definitely feeling this one at the end, but not in a sick way. A smooth, full-bodied masterpiece of a cigar! I can definitely see picking up more of these when they become officially available, but probably in a size a bit smaller than the Churchill Extra!
Thanks for the review. I just smoked my first one after running through some Serie O’s. The Serie V is fuller than the O and continues the same flavor profile. I find it less “in your face” than either the La Flor Chisel or the Don Pepin cigars. It does tend to creep up on you. People who like fuller, stronger cigars will be put off by the Olivas at first, but if you give them time, the flavor profile is so inviting that they win you over. It doesn’t intimidate with spice like the Don Pepins can (and I like those too). Instead, it lures you with nice initial flavors, then continues to ratchet up the experience. I’m not one for numerical ratings or intricate flavor descriptions, but this is an excellent cigar and a wonderful smoking experience. I think these are going to be difficult to find, but I hope to get my share. No negatives at all.
THE OLIVA SERIE V IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CIGARS,THEY DRAW WELL,AND THEY SMELL GREAT,ESPECIALLY AFTER I FIRST LIGHT AND TAKE MY FIRST PUFF.I WILL DEFINITELY KEEP THESE IN MY HUMIDOR TO ENJOY WHEN I HAVE SOMETHING TO SMOKE ON A SPECIAL OCCASION,
WM.CLARK DREW II
TAMPA,FLORIDA
Most sites have the Serie V on backorder. Well this site has all sizes in 5 packs.
http://www.thompsoncigar.com/default.aspx?page=product&sender=&uid=2114
I got one of these at a cigar tasting at the local shop. Grab a chair, you might get light headed before the nub. Bring a designated driver along if your are a newbie. It’s definetly full bodied. Well made, overall a good smoke. I can’t picture this jewel as a everyday smoke in my humidor. Oliva makes a full line, and this certainly completes the full body end of the line. Great smoke if this fits your flavor profile.