Oliva Serie O Double Toro

While I've had many Oliva cigars, I've never really taken the time to break down the Serie O line. I actually went through a whole box of Serie O Maduro Double Toros last summer without even making a single observation or writing a single note (my only excuse was the mass quantities of Jagerbombs I drank with Big Pimpin all last summer). Well, this year I decided to at least make a feeble attempt at righting a past wrong by sitting down to review an Oliva Serie O cigar. Unfortunately, my local B&Ms did not have any maduro double toros so I bring you the Oliva Serie O Double Toro Habano.

This 6 x 60 Nicaraguan Puro monster chunk of a stick is grown in Esteli, Condega, & Jalapa Valley.

Wrapper: Oily, Sun-grown Nicaraguan Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan Habano

Purchase Price: $6 - 7 (approx.)

The construction of this cigar was very good. It was firm when pinched but not hard. The wrapper was oily and very consistent in color with a few veins, but certainly nothing that would appear to diminish the character of the cigar or cause burn problems. The pre-light flavor was strong tobacco but not peppery. The aroma was a smell so familiar to me especially in stronger cigars, pure barnyard hay!

As I began puffing away in the first third, the burn was very even with a compact gray ash. The predominant flavor was rich tobacco with some hints of spice and a little pepper on the finish. Due to the ring gauge, this behemoth produced gobs of thick white smoke with each puff. Once I put it down to take a drink from my "liquid crack" aka Ron Zacapa 23, the cigar produced a very light resting smoke.

Into the second third approaching the halfway point, the strength settled into a medium-bodied range but not overpowering while the flavor began to show some hints of leather. However, after I praised the cigar earlier for having no cosmetic issues that should lead to burn problems, I had a hole burn through the wrapper about 1/8" below burn line.

I had been herfing away for about a solid 75 - 80 minutes before I finally began pulling into the home stretch with this cigar. Let me just add that there had not been a dull moment of smoking experience in the first two thirds of this stick. The final third began with mild sweetness (like creamed coffee), some pepper on the tip of my tongue, and a stronger but pleasant spice flavor. The creepy weird "blowhole" burn somehow managed to correct itself, and it never caused any real problems with me enjoying this cigar. The cigar finished well into the medium-bodied range with lots of leather in the final third. Overall the cigar is loaded with good flavor and complexity yet it remains balanced. It provides a good 90 - 120 minutes of burn with tobacco, coffee, woody spice, & leather flavors. For the price point, I would recommend getting a box of these especially if you like a nice thick ring cigar that will give you loads of flavor but not put you "down for the count" when you're out herfing with your friends. That's all for this edition, but be sure to check back for upcoming posts on the CAO MX2 Box-press and the Alec Bradley Select Cabinet Reserve (SCR).

Fly straight and fly high . . .

-Da Byrdman-

EL Cobre Torpedo

This is my first El Cobre, which is created by Oliva. I don't know much about this Cigar except that it is considered to be a full body smoke, which as you all know I have not been a fan of this type of smoke. I never read other reviews before I do a review of a cigar. I don't want their review to influence my smoke. But I am giving it a shot.

Pre light it has a strong aroma to it with a hint of Walter Payton (sweetness). It has a dark Maduro wrapper that is not all that pretty. I would show you a picture but the iPhone has a suckie camera and my digital is not charged. Oh well.

Dry pull gives you a dark chocolate flavor. On to the smoke. 11:06pm.

First third, nice even burn, nice white ash. Gives off a nice white smoke. I am getting allot of bitter flavor though. Back to the smoke. After a few more puffs, I am getting a toastie/Nutty flavor, if that's possible.

Halfway through and getting a cigar buzz with a little spice flavor at this point. This is when I would normally put it down. Damn, have to relight. Draw is gettin a little tight, don't know why. Cut the tip down a little more and all is good.

WOW!!! this is really kickin my tail. The cigar is down to the band and I am really feelin the full body of the stick, but I am still pushing forward. Flavors are still a little bitter like a rich dark Cocoa and a little spice on the back soft palate.

Coming down the final leg at just past 12:40am Thursday morning. I am sure this smoke may not take 1:40 min. to smoke for the experienced full body smokers, but I had to lay off a little.

In the end it was a very good Cigar and would recommend it to take a place in your humidor. The burn was consistent and even all the way to the finish. The ash did get a little flakie after the relight but nothing serious. Very good smoke.

Happy Smokin,

BIG PIMPIN

Upcoming Local Cigar Events (Aug. - Sept.)

Northern Virginia Cigar Enthusiasts

Late Summer Herf @ eCitie (Tysons Corner) - Aug. 25 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Early September Herf @ Carpool (Arlington) - Sept. 8 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Virginia Wine Festival Herf @ Bull Run Park - Sept. 19 11:00 am - until

Cigar Dinner @ Old Glory BBQ (Georgetown) - Sept. 23 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

For more info go to (http://www.meetup.com/Northern-Virginia-Cigar-Enthusiasts)

CAO "Lady Liberty" Events

Havana Connections - Sept. 15 & 16 (http://fujipub.com/havanaconnections)

OVTC - Sept. 18 (http://www.ovtc.com)

Burke Cigar - Sept. 20 (http://www.burkecigar.com)

Other Club Herfs

Da Champ's Monthly Herf - Aug. 29th @ Bailey's (Ballston Commons Mall in Arlington) 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
The B&B Cigar Club Monthly Herf - Sept. 11 @ Alto Plaza (http://www.altoplaza.net) 6:00 pm - 12:00 am

Hope to see you there. Fly straight & fly high. . .

-Da Byrdman-

5 Vegas Serie A

CINCO VEGAS SERIES A,

This is one that has been in the humidor for over a year.

I would stay away from it at first because it was to much for me. But now that I have become a more seasoned smoker I am ready to tackle this one.

Pre-light draw gives me a hint of tea flavor, but just a hint. The construction is good, it does have a few veins but not bad. We will see how it holds up. This is a 7 in x 50 ring considered to be Medium to Full bodied. It has a dark wrapper that has that stank Oder to it.

Steady even burn that gives off a pretty good amount of smoke with a puff. The flavor is pretty consistent of tea. I did get a hint spice on the back of my throat a few times, but that has gone away. I am not getting much else at this point.

Hour and thirty minutes later into the smoke. Getting a light buzz and this is all from the cigar. No alcohol with this review, only water. Since it has been awhile with this 5 Vegas, I wanted to get all the flavor of the Cigar and no distractions.

Remember, this has been sitting for over a year, so I may be getting different flavors.

Cigar sweats are setting in, 2 hours 15 min. later. This is a long smoke. I haven't had one like this in a veeerrryyy long time. Da ByrdMan has finished of 2 (Camacho Coyolor, NUB 464 Maduro) while I am still on this one. 2 hours 30 minutes later and I am done. It had a consistent flavor from beginning to end with a steady burn. No issues with having to relight.

I will say I did handle this one allot better than the first time one year ago. So I have come along way.

Next up will be the ????? Not sure, you will just have to wait and see.

Another B&B Herf/Review in the books.

Happy Smokin,

Big Pimpin.