This weeks review is a bit of a re-visit in the form of the Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial. This time around I decided to check out the new Lancero size and see what kind of difference size made on this smoke. The Serie V Lancero weighs in at 7.00 inches long with a 38 ring gauge. It sports a Sun Grown Habano Wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers from the Jalapa Valley.
During me pre light inspection I found the cigar to be constructed well. It had a smooth texture with an oily sheen. When pinched it had a firm and well packed feel to it. After a quick cut and light I had the cigar burning evenly and producing thick clouds of flavorful smoke.
Just like my first experience, the smoke was very smooth and crisp. The body starts off in the full spectrum with a sharp finish. The base flavor is Woody and Leathery with an enjoyable spiciness that adds a nice touch. The burn was even and slow while producing a firm light colored ash.
When I reached the second third I was introduced to a nice cocoa and mild coffee flavor that added a lot of character to the cigar. The flavors of Wood, Leather, and Spice remained and mingled well with the newly introduced flavors. The body was slowly building while the finish remained smooth and crisp. The resting smoke put a nice aroma into the air and seemed to float in a thick dense cloud.
The final third of this stick continued to be very enjoyable. The burn line was even and burned at a nice smooth pace. The ash was a nice light color while being firm holding on for about three quarters of an inch before falling into the ashtray. The body continued to creep deeper into the full spectrum while remaing crisp and very smooth on the palate. The base flavors were Wood, Leather, Cocoa, and Spice while picking up a Minty flavor when the palate was splashed with a sip of water. I have found this flavor to be unique to this cigar and is common in all of the sizes.
Overall I think that this is a fantastic cigar that has alot to offer in terms of complexity. The smaller size added a bit of edginess over the larger size, but I found that to be right up my alley. With the entire line being in the $6.00 to $8.00 range I think that it is worth every penny. If you haven’t tried the Serie V yet, do yourself a favor and pick one up the next time you are at your local shop, I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Great review Walt. Let me know if you want more. The last time I was in there he had 3 or 4 boxes. I still havent had the Lancero size but now I am going to have to pick some up. I may look to do a box split.
Walt,
Right on the money on the size difference. I have smoked the Double Toros and Figurados in the Serie V and far prefer the Churchill Extra. I wish they made a Toro. The larger rings definitely dumb down the spice and general flavor, to the point where a Serie O Toro is more interesting than a Serie V Double Toro. In the Lancero, the wrapper dominates and, especially in this cigar (and the Tatuaje as well), that is a very good thing. Good observation. Thanks for putting into words what I had been wondering about.
Ace
yup, I agree… I also love the smaller rings because if they have a nice wrapper the flavor is really celebrated… I’m not a huge fan on the Lanceros just because of the time commitment… I generally like to smoke for 45 minutes to an hour and a 4-5 inch cigar usually does the trick. Personally, I’d rather have two Perla sized cigars, smoke one and then decide if I’m still in the mood to smoke more. Another reason I love the smaller rings is I find they age faster than the bigger rings and usually less “sub par filler leaf” is needed to create the ring… great review Walt… I laughed when you said it smoked fast and the picture showed over 2 hours! LOL
The lancero is really tough to roll right I’ve been told… because of the length it’s easy for the filler to get slightly twisted when rolling and create a tight draw or partial plug… a good lancero definitely represents the true art of rolling tobacco.
Thanks for the review Walt. I had the Series G before and found it enjoyable and it was a great price point too. I’ll put the series V on my list to try. Also, I tried the Black & Tan beer you tried during a previous review and it’s great.
Jon,
Thanks again for the sticks. I’m definitely going to have to get a hold of some more. I’m going to talk to my local shop owner and see if he plans on getting any in.
Jabba,
Its a funny thing. I look at the 7.00 inches in length and get a number fixed in my head and expect it to take about that long. I never took into account the smaller ring gauge speeding things up. After editing the pictures I remember saying to myself “wow that lasted a while”… lol
The tough roll makes alot of sense. When you think about it, that really is alot of tobacco to keep properly rolled over such a long span and think gauge. This one smoked great all the way through, definitely a credit to the Oliva Rollers.
Ace,
I find myself enjoying alot of cigars in small rings. I think the small size of the Pepin Black Label Perla makes a big difference in the flavor of that cigar, which is why i smoke that size pretty much exclusively. This smaller size Serie V is fantastic and I plan on keeping a few in the humidor at all times. The larger sizes are good as well, but the lancero seems to take it above and beyond
Matt,
Glad to here you enjoyed the black and tan. It wasn;t as good as a remembered it being, but still a nice cold beverage. Add in the fact that it is less than 20.00 per case and you have a winner there.
Most of my clients prefer the Torpedo – I don’t know why. I try to get them to try the others, but who knows? haha. I guess you like what you like. Anyway, I’m more of a 30-45 minute kinda smoke buy and I like the smaller sizes as you guys do, but I’m not into all the spice. I really wish more cigar makers would make the stronger cigars with less spicey flavors and more just strong/complex flavor.
Remember Dennis Leary saying,”You can get every other flavor except COFFEE FLAVORED COFFEE?!?!?!” I like cigar flavored cigars
🙂
I was fortunate enough to obtain a whole box of the torpedos and have had two so far. Despite the thick ring gauge, I found these to be extremely strong, yet rich and flavorful. The wrapper had to be one of the nicest I’ve ever seen. Draw and burn were perfect with a slow, cool burn. I found this cigar to be truly unique and fantastic. They could realistically charge twice as much for this stick and it would still be a value. Can’t wait to see what some age will do to these, but I will need to stock another few boxes because I can tell this will be a regular smoke. BTW – my other smokes of choice are Padron 1964 Imperials, Cubano Bolivar Royal Coronas, anything Pepin, Opus X, VSG, Monte #2’s and these are right on par with the bunch…
I’m smoking my first Serie V right now. Let me tell you, this is one good smoke.
Wow, I just smoked my first Oliva Serie V as it was on my list of cigars to smoke this year due to your recommendation Walt 🙂
I had the Figurado size and it’s one impressive looking cigar. Smooth, great flavor of the ligero and just a lot of great smoke. Just as you described. I really have to thank you for the recommendation 🙂
My only minor complaint was I had to do burn corrections on the bottom as I smoked it. But I find that somewhat typical on a ring guage of that size. I should have let it sit in my humidor longer and that probably would have evened out the burn a bit but I just couldn’t wait any longer hah.
Dave
Ahh the Serie V, had it a few weeks ago, such a good cigar! Very exciting too.
I haven’t seen this review in quite some time. I gotta say that this review is on par with my V experience. Love the Lancero!
Very nice smoke, great price is always a bonus!