Pre-light Experience

The Oliva Gilberto Reserva Corona has a classic looking red and gold band with some brown on the bottom half. Just below the band is a cedar sleeve that runs to the foot. At the foot, the sleeve is covered with a black ribbon. After sliding off the cedar, a light brown, marbled wrapper is revealed that carries a couple of slightly raised veins. The seams are smooth but easily visible due to the light color and variance. The head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. The aroma from the wrapper is very much sweet cedar which I’m sure came from the sleeve covering it. The foot brings wood and tobacco sweetness. The pre-light draw brings a syrupy sweet cedar with mild spice on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Oliva Gilberto Reserva Corona has a bit of an ugly looking wrapper as it looks a bit dull and lifeless. But to the touch, the wrapper has plenty of oil content. Veins are well pressed, seams tight, bunch and roll firm and even and head finished off with a deep triple cap. Aromas from the wrapper give cedar, hay and smoked meat. Aromas from the foot give nuts, white pepper, cedar and hay. Cold draw tells cedar and hay.

First Third

The cigar begins with a combination of dry wood and slight cream. At a half inch in, the dry wood is more definable as cedar while some black pepper becomes present and mixes in with the cream in the background. The profile is maintaining itself at the one inch mark and the retrohale carries a slightly fuller version of the same components. As the third comes to a close, the cedar is still dry and the black pepper has faded back slightly. The strength in this third was mild-medium.

First Third

The first third gives off flavors of creamed bread, dried nuts and a subtle minerality. Retrohaling the cigar not only amplifies the mentioned flavors but also brings a layer of black pepper spice into the mix. The finish is pretty short with dried nuts. Strength and body is medium.

Second Third

The second third begins with a toasted note joining the cedar. There is a still a light cream present while the black pepper is very faint. At an inch in, the profile remains the same and the retrohale is just a mirror image. As the third comes to a close, the profile is still toasted cedar that is slightly drying with a bit of cream and faint back pepper. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly below medium.

Second Third

The second third has no major changes. Still a medium bodied and strength platform with creamed bread, dried nuts and subtle minerality. The finish is longer due to the minerals coming through in addition to the same dried nuts.

Final Third

As the final third begins, some char replaces the toasted note of the cedar. At a half inch in, the char has increased quite a bit. The cream has been replaced by a mustiness and the black pepper is no longer detectable. The retrohale is providing a toasted general wood note. As the cigar comes to a close, it heats up a bit, bringing some mintiness to the profile. The strength in this third remained at slightly below medium.

Final Third

The last third becomes a bit cedar and mineral forward as compared to the first two third’s creamy body, dried nuts focus. All else is the same in terms of retrohale and finish notes. Strength and body finishes medium.

Burn

The burn line was slightly wavy at times and straight at others. The ash held on in inch and a quarter increments.

Burn

The burn performance was solid. Cool burn, white ashes with 1.5 inch average ash marks and even burn.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar began with dry cedar and a slight bit of cream with some black pepper joining fairly quickly. As it progressed, the cedar gained a toasted note which morphed to char in the final third. Construction was very good and required no attention. One of the issues with Sumatra is that it can be drying and that was evidenced in this cigar. The profile was fairly linear in each third and the final third dropped off a bit in enjoyment. Overall, I would consider this as an average cigar. The price point is attractive for those looking for a lower priced cigar but I don’t think the cigar punches above it’s price point. Probably not a cigar I go looking for in the future.

Draw

The draw was a bit too tight. Still considered good so not that big of a deal.

Overall

The phrase “well you get what you pay for” does not apply here. When I see a low $5 cigar, I have a tendency to think less overall enjoyable experience. The Oliva Gilberto Reserva Corona smokes more like a $7 to $8 dollar cigar as the overall bouquet of flavors doesn’t merit a cheap cigar at all. The flavor in itself isn’t all that complex but it is enjoyable. For these reasons, I would revisit and many fans of “yard gars” will find this pleasing.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.15

Cost/Point

$1.02

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

6.52

Cost/Point

$0.81

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Oliva Gilberto Reserva Corona