Cigar Review: Oliva Master Blends 3 Torpedo
4 Mar 2019
When StogieGuys.com first reviewed this line (both the Churchill and Robusto) almost a decade ago, Master Blends 3 was the latest iteration of a limited edition that greatly enhanced Oliva’s standing among cigar enthusiasts.
Now, while Oliva still refers to Master Blends 3 as the third in “a series of limited artisanal blends,†you can find them almost anywhere.
The lightly pressed Torpedo (6 x 52)—one of a trio of available Master Blends 3 vitolas—has a list price over $14, but I’ve seen them as low as $4.25 per stick online when bought 20 at a time.
Master Blends 3 remains a fine smoke, worthy of the strong ratings it garnered in both previous reviews. It kicks off with a burst of cedar that recedes after about a half an inch. Soon, other flavors advance. Along the way I enjoyed tastes of nuts, leather, and sweetness that moved between syrup and cinnamon. The Nicaraguan ligero filler provides a kick and some pepper, especially in the final third.
My only complaints include a fairly flaky ash and several touch-ups being required on each of those I smoked. Not that that was surprising, given the thick, oily nature of the dark sun-grown Broadleaf wrapper that encompasses the Nicaraguan Habano binder.
Each line in the Master Blends series sports a different wrapper. I never smoked the first, but I fondly recall Master Blends 2 as a terrific smoke. There’s been an occasional rumor that Master Blends 4 is on the way. So far, however, rumor is all that’s come out.
And with the sale of Oliva a few years ago (in 2016, Oliva was acquired by the Belgium-based J. Cortès Cigars N.V., a family-owned business focused primarily on machine-made cigars) and former CEO José Oliva stepping down this year to devote more time to politics, it’s even less clear whether anything will happen.
Hopefully, at some point there will be a Master Blends 4 release. I’d like to smoke one. Until that time, though, we can enjoy the Master Blends 3.
For me, the Torpedo is equal to its siblings and also rates four stogies out of five.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]
–George E
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I have smoked one of these and had a much different experience. Found the one I smoked somewhat harsh and not enjoyable at all. I do have a couple more that have been languishing in my humidor for a while, so I’ll give it another try. Really like most of the Oliva line in general, so hope my first one of these was an aberration.
Thanks for the review.
Stan – Hope you have a better experience with the others. Let us know whatever it turns out to be.
George: Finally got around to smoking the other MB3. Construction was better and though not harsh per se, was much more earthy than I like. This is what makes the cigar world great. Not everyone’s pallet is the same, but keep searching and you will find the flavor that will suit you. Again, appreciate the work you all do putting this site together.