The Oliva Serie V 135th Aniversario Edición Real, as the name implies, was released to commemorate the 135th anniversary of when Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Cuba. This is considered the beginning of the Olivas as a tobacco family.
The cigar itself looks unique, to say the least, with its unusual Perfecto shape. It’s is rolled in an oily and smooth wrapper of a Colorado-Maduro hue. Construction appears to be good with a generous filling.
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Size: 54 x 140 mm (5 ½″)
- Wrapper: Ecuador
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Price: $ 12 | € 18
Oliva Serie V 135th Aniversario Edición Real: The cold draw reveals only a faint hay nuance, but once lit it opens with light aromas of nuts and leather.
Further into the first third, the aromas of nuts and leather continue to be only faintly perceptible and the strength is light (1/5). A very suave sweetness can be made out as well.
The profile becomes a bit fuller in the second third, with a pepper aroma appearing in the retro hale. Nuts and leather remain the core flavors. The strength increases slowly becoming medium-light (2/5).
The last third is a long continuation of the second one, with the exception of a balsamic note being added. The strength is now on a medium level (3/5).
Overall, the Oliva Serie V 135th Aniversario Edición Real is a smooth and balanced smoke, but it lacks body and complexity. The slow start can be attributed to the tapered foot, but it takes the whole first third for things to somewhat get going. Adding the limited flavor profile and its linearity, it misses some of the aspects that have made the regular Serie V a classic among cigar lovers.