Oliva Series V Cigars

Oliva Cigar Co. of Miami Lakes Florida makes millions of cigars each year in Nicaragua, but none are finer than its Oliva Serie V Liga Especial. The brand is made by a small team of rollers in Nicaragua-only 22 are entrusted to make it, and unlike the other cigarmakers in the factory they are paid on salary, rather than by the number of cigars they make. Furthermore, Oliva uses some of its most powerful leaves in the blend, which is finished with a Habano-seed wrapper leaf grown in Nicaragua. The result is a full-flavored cigar with balance and complexity. An Oliva Serie V has made our Top 25 list for five years running. This is no small feat, and it speaks to the cigar's admirable consistency.

Rated 95 & #3 Best Cigar of 2017. Ten years ago, Oliva Cigar Co. released its Serie V, which was the strongest, most full-bodied cigar the company ever created. But it was also impressive in its ability to render layers of richness and complexity in spite of its power. Ten years later, we found ourselves with the same excellent product. It’s difficult enough to maintain such quality and consistency, but even more of an accomplishment when you consider this: Oliva has been acquired by a larger company.

Rated 95 & #3 Best Cigar of 2017. Ten years ago, Oliva Cigar Co. released its Serie V, which was the strongest, most full-bodied cigar the company ever created. But it was also impressive in its ability to render layers of richness and complexity in spite of its power. Ten years later, we found ourselves with the same excellent product. It’s difficult enough to maintain such quality and consistency, but even more of an accomplishment when you consider this: Oliva has been acquired by a larger company.

In 2016, Oliva Cigar was bought by European cigarmaker J. Cortés Cigars N.V., who wanted a premium brand in its portfolio. Naturally, there were concerns about the Oliva cigars changing and quality suffering. Luckily for the cigar-smoking world, J. Cortés kept Oliva president José Oliva on board after the acquisition, to help ensure that quality was maintained. So far, the change has been seamless and the Serie V remains remarkable for its ability to convey high volumes of flavor, especially at such a low price point.

The blend is centered around strong, ligero tobacco from Nicaragua’s Jalapa Valley and a high-priming wrapper to complete the taste profile, which is rich in earth, leather and spice though balanced with a sweet touch of molasses.

Rated #22 Best Cigar of the Year 2011. The Oliva Serie V Liga Especial Double Robusto is a nutty and spicy cigar, complemented by notes of vanilla and cloves. An impeccably constructed cigar with great oils and rich color. The draw is perfect, imparting significant earth and coffee bean flavors that linger on the finish.

Rated #22 Best Cigar of the Year 2011. The Oliva Serie V Liga Especial Double Robusto is a nutty and spicy cigar, complemented by notes of vanilla and cloves. An impeccably constructed cigar with great oils and rich color. The draw is perfect, imparting significant earth and coffee bean flavors that linger on the finish.

Huge, thick and oily with a richly colored wrapper. It draws and burns well for such a thick cigar, showing a steady profile of woody, nutty and coffee flavors, although the finish is short. Rated 89.

Huge, thick and oily with a richly colored wrapper. It draws and burns well for such a thick cigar, showing a steady profile of woody, nutty and coffee flavors, although the finish is short. Rated 89.

This attractive, oily torpedo is full of dynamic nut, wood and sweet cedar flavors that frame a substantial leather core. The finish is long and rich. Tasty and complex. Rated 94 by Cigar Aficionado.

This attractive, oily torpedo is full of dynamic nut, wood and sweet cedar flavors that frame a substantial leather core. The finish is long and rich. Tasty and complex. Rated 94 by Cigar Aficionado.