A couple of short reviews on Christmas afternoon…

Oliva Serie ‘O’
Size: 5 x 50
Tobacco: Nicaraguan puro, sun-grown habano wrapper
Price: $7

It’s been a while since I smoked this one. I picked it up during a promotional event at Tinderbox in Collierville. It was spicy and full-bodied, with rich earthy, sweet-and-spicy tastes. I enjoyed it sitting outside, shooting the breeze with a couple FedEx pilots who spent most of the hour grousing about the union. I was so impressed I bought a second one to smoke during the SEC championship game on tv. But I ended up losing it to Shaun in our college football pick ‘em contest.

Oliva Serie ‘V’
Size: 5 x 50
Tobacco: Nicaraguan puro, sun-grown habano wrapper
Price: $7

Also known as “Ligero Especial”. This Oliva was even better than the serie ‘O’. Much spicier. Lots of flavor like a Padron and peppery like Omar Ortez.

I smoked this Oliva on Dec. 9th. There was a great lineup of football and cigars that day:

Morning game: #4 Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh.
Morning cigar: Padron 2000 (from Laura & James)

Afternoon game: #1 Florida vs. #2 Alabama.
Afternoon cigar: Oliva Serie V

Night game: #3 Texas vs. Nebraska.
Night cigar: Gran Habano 3 Siglos.




5 Vegas Limitada 2008
Size: 6.2 x 52
Wrapper: Dominican Corojo Oscuro
Filler: Multinational blend
Price: $5

A cool, slow-burning belicoso. Not as complex or memorable as the 05, 06, and 07 varietals. But very enjoyable nonetheless (I’ve had several on Saturday afternoons during football games). Lots of maduro chocolate flavors. Comparable to the Graycliff 1666.



CAO Gold Maduro
Size: 7.5 x 54
Tobacco: Nicaraguan fillers (Gold blend) with Brazilian maduro wrapper
Price: $7.50

Due to the success of CAO Brazilia and ‘VR’, CAO decided to wrap their mild Gold blend with a Brazilian maduro to add some spice and body. I found this cigar, much like the 5 Vegas Limitada 2008, to be rich and slow-burning. The CAO had more maduro-coffee than maduro-chocolate. Paired well with Laphroaig.