Tonight, I’m smoking the Oliva V Maduro and going on a, “full octane ride of wild Nicaraguan flavor”. This cigar comes equipped with an oily looking unshinny dark wrapper. I stuck this thing clean up my nose to explore any pre light flavor notes it might give off. (Didn’t happen) then I licked the entire thing. (Also didn’t happen) I was able to pick out about 15 different flavor aroma’s smelling it through the cellophane (definitely didn’t happen). The “Cut and a light” kicks this smoke down off with some sweetness from the wrapper, and a little black pepper punch from the retro hale, that’s right, I broke cigar protocol and retro haled my first draw. As I’m getting comfortably into the first third, I’m getting strong leather, bakers chocolate, and a tiny bit of earth. It’s balanced and smooth, with a long finish and a dark flavor profile. All the usual “Jeopardy” picks of RSTLNE. Rounding second base, it’s picked up a licorice and red/black peppery retro hale. Oak, coffee for sure, even some coco and rich espresso notes. The wrapper sweetness is still holding on as well. It’s been a nice even burning cigar, no touch ups. However the high medium body has smoothed out a bit. It’s holding a nice white ash which held on for over two inches. The coffee has become roasted and the chocolate turned milk toward the end of the second third. As I slide into third base, it’s becoming more full bodied with coffee, again. This cigar had really good construction but it is heating up a bit now. It had a fair draw with some pretty good smoke production. It took me an hour and thirty minutes to stamp this out, which didn’t do anything to improve my wife’s mood about wanting to go out tonight. I’m going to throw this under the bus with a 90 points rating, and yes, “I’ll be back”.
