Quick Smoke: Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

I got a shot at this limited release sooner than I expected, as a local shop scored several boxes at the IPCPR Trade Show. It’s a remarkable concoction of sweetness and strength, satisfying from beginning to end. My only complaint is a somewhat erratic burn, caused, no doubt, by the thick Mexican maduro wrapper. That’s the only flaw in this box-pressed torpedo that weighs in at 6.5 inches long with a ring gauge of 52. If forced to choose, I’d opt for the original Melanio, but this is a great cigar to put in the mix. It runs about $13 per stick and comes in 10-count boxes.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A