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Cigar Review: Oliva Vindicator Robusto

18 Jun 2012

This new cigar line is made by Oliva for Famous Smoke Shop and highly touted for strength. It’s also getting a public relations push, with samples being sent out by Famous for reviews, which is how I came to smoke these.

“Vindicator by Oliva cigars are an all-Nicaraguan blend of triple-fermented ligero and viso long-fillers in Habano-seed binders and wrappers,” reads the Famous website. “The smoke is full strength and impressively bold up front. Settling into the medium-plus range of body, they become almost deceptively smooth, with dark tobacco flavors balanced by a light sweetness.”

The Robusto (5 x 50) is a nice looking cigar, though the band strikes me as a little cheesy, like something you’d find drawn by a junior high school student on his notebook.

I didn’t detect much aroma from the Habano wrapper or from the foot before lighting. The performance of those I sampled was fine, with an even, steady burn, a strong ash, and good smoke production.

If I hadn’t known in advance, though, I would not have guessed Oliva as the manufacturer. The Vindicator had a harshness and a sharp edge I don’t associate with Oliva cigars. It also lacked the depth of flavor typically found in Oliva’s best.

The Vindicator line comes in two other sizes, a Toro (6 x 50) and a Churchill (7 x 50). Prices for the Robusto range from $5 for a single to $3 each in a box of 20.

The Vindicator is not a bad smoke. It just isn’t a really good one, either. If you’re the sort of cigar smoker who runs through several sticks a day, you might find an occasional spot for this one. Or if you want something while you’re working in the yard or garage, this could be worth a try.

I give it three stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

5 Responses to “Cigar Review: Oliva Vindicator Robusto”

  1. Scott Shemtov Monday, June 18, 2012 at 9:08 am #

    George, thanks for the review. I was in the middle of smoking a Vindicator when I came across your review – amen.

  2. Chris S Monday, June 18, 2012 at 4:44 pm #

    I'll be skipping this one. Maybe it's my personal palate, and maybe some of you could give me your thoughts, but I've always found Oliva's have this kind of "dirt" and "earth" type taste that's very overwhelming, and I can't get over it. I haven't had a cigar where it's bothered me as much as it does in the Oliva lines.

  3. Peter Brown Friday, July 4, 2014 at 1:57 am #

    This cigar burn slightly off-kilter with a scorched flame line. The light ash and the dark wrapper made for an outstanding contrast.

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