The word nostalgia comes to mind when smoking this Oliva Serie V TAA Exclusive. Oliva V has always been a cigar that I enjoyed in multiple sizes. This one is no different. The profile has structure, good range of flavors and consistency that few brands core lines can touch. Good job TAA by going with the tried and true.
The Oliva Serie O Maduro Robusto didn't start all that great with some staleness and carboard, but things came together in the second third with a nice combination of flavors, but then waned in the final half of the cigar. Not a bad offering, but not all that exciting either. This is a step above the Natural offering in the line, but I'm not sure I'd see myself coming back to it with any frequency.
I enjoyed the Cuba Aliados Original Blend Robusto, and love the price even more. Nice blend that was approachable at many times. Not overly complex, but what was delivered was really enjoyable. Solid from beginning to end.
The Oliva Serie G Robusto provided a nice, classic flavor profile and walked that fine line with the bitterness through the first two thirds on the positive side. As the bitterness reemerged and built up in the final third, it dropped the enjoyment level down a bit. The price point on the cigar is fantastic and with the flavor profile delivered, it's a no brainer to come back to and recommend.
The Cuba Aliados by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Robusto started out promising in the first third with a good combination of flavors that were engaging. By the second third, the profile was linear, and by the last third, almost entirely wood forward. There wasn't much here that would entice me to return to this cigar again, especially when you factor in the price point.
The Oliva Serie O Natural Robusto had a nice start with a nice combination of flavors and transitions. The second third dropped down a level as the baking spice departed and the final third dropped another level as the bitterness joined in. With the low price point, this is an easy try, but it wouldn't be my first choice to revisit in the Oliva portfolio and I wouldn't see myself coming back to this particular line all that often.
The Oliva Connecticut Reserve Robusto started well, with a nice combination of flavors, but fell off a bit in the second third as the dry earth joined in and the creaminess departed. It maintained the average profile the rest of the way. This is a nice, milder offering from Oliva. The price point is attractive and is something a wide range of smokers could enjoy.
The Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary Edición Limitada was really good through the first half inch as the combination of flavors really fired on all cylinders. After that, things began to degrade as the earth played a bigger role and was average the rest of the way. Overall, I don't see this rendition of the line attracting me more than the regular V's.
Overall, the Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Figurado 2020 is a good cigar. It is a nice Oliva and a solid Mexican San Andres offering. I don't think I would go crazy over the release, and I know Oliva has released better annual offerings, but a good cigar. Nice balance and flavors throughout.
The occasion marks the end of a three-year project, which began in November 2016 with the commencement of construction on the new facility, in Esteli Nicaragua. In 2017 they finished the box factory, end of last year Tabolisa 2 and now the main factory Tabolisa 1. The project was designed to increase efficiency and capacity for the production of Oliva Cigars.