Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary Edicion Limitada

The Oliva family first started growing tobacco in 1886 in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. In the 1960s the family moved out of Cuba due to the country being overrun by communism and settled in the fertile grounds of Nicaragua. Today they are known for growing some of the finest tobacco crops in the world as well as being the second largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco in the world. They also have some of the most skilled rollers and blenders to create their top of the line cigars.

The Oliva Serie V – or ‘Ligero Especial’ as it’s also known – has been hailed as one of the best cigars on the market since it’s release in 2007. The 135th Anniversary limited edition you have in your shipment today was created to mark the 135th anniversary of when Melanio Oliva got his start working in the tobacco fields in Cuba. Created under the watchful eye of Jose Oliva, the blend is true to the original. This puro is chocked full with a smooth blend of Nicaraguan ligero from the Jalapa Valley, a smooth Nicaraguan binder, and a tantalizing and stunning high priming Habano Sun Grown wrapper that has been aged to perfection. It’s also attractive and unusual with a 5.5” x 54 perfecto shape offering a standard round cap and a tapered foot. Once lit, this bad boy will exhibit rich and complex flavors of tobacco and coffee, with dark chocolate undertones. Our panel couldn’t stop raving about this Cigar Aficionado 91-rated handmade, especially about the razor sharp burn and flawless draw, and gave it a stunning 96 points during our blind rating. The panel also recommended it as the perfect after dinner smoke with Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Rye.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.