Stogie Reviews: Oliva Master Blends 3 Robusto
23 Jun 2010
Oliva has been making good cigars for years, but only recently has the company gotten the credit it deserves among connoisseurs of fine smokes. Part of that newfound recognition comes from Oliva’s popular (and highly-rated) Serie V.
But the Serie V isn’t the most limited cigar that Oliva makes. That honor belongs to the Master Blends 3, or “Liga Maestra.” This offering is described by Oliva as “specifically blended to deliver the richest characteristics of Nicaraguan ligero fillers and broadleaf sun-grown wrappers.”
The Robusto (5 x 50) is a Nicaraguan puro with a Nicaraguan habano binder. The dark, oily wrapper is nearly vein-free. Box-pressed, the smoke is firm to the touch and, while the wrapper on one (pictured) seemed a bit hastily applied, it certainly didn’t affect the way the cigar smoked.
Once lit, the Master Blends 3 reveals rich coffee, chocolate, and cedary undertones. It features that classic Nicaraguan “zing” that leaves a distinctive flavor on the roof of the mouth.
The Robusto yields thick, lush smoke. It starts medium- to full-bodied but grows to full strength by the midway point, with a bit of earth joining the complex group of flavors.
It certainly is not hard to see why Oliva touts this as their most luxurious blend. With excellent balance and rich flavors, Master Blends 3 is reminiscent of that other highly touted box-pressed Nicaraguan puro: the Padrón Anniversary.
As for exclusivity, unlike the earlier Master Blends, the third version seems to be widely available, including on a host of internet retailers where it sells for around $12 each, although you can often find it discounted for less.
But even if it isn’t as limited as its predecessors, it’s still a fine smoke. That’s why the Oliva Master Blends 3 Robusto earns a rating of four stogies out of five.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Agreed, this is a fabulous smoke. I have a box of the double robustos and they are one of my top 5 cigars. The balance and richness of the smoke is exquisite.
I agree, Marc E. I won 4 of these great smokes form CigarAuctioneer and didn't give any of them away. Rich full smoking pleasure these are. These are one of those cigars that I would smoke at least 4 times a year, too good for daily consumption.
I purchased the torpedo in a combo pack. I was initially highly disapointed, as my first light burned with the uneveness of a trolley on a san francisco hill. I smoked my 2nd expecting the same to make room in my humidor, but thats when the flavors exploded into cigar that I had intially hoped to expect with a most comfortably even burn. Now the search is on for a deal my wallet can live with. I sit here burning my fingers getting what i can out of my last gem.
This particular cigar is not a "puro" as stated above in the review. The wrapper is a Connecticut broadleaf habano.