Oliva Serie V Melanio Natural Robusto: Is it as great as its reputation?

Oliva Serie V Melanio cigars are some of the highest rated and best selling non-Cuban cigars not only in the UK, but also around the world. Since it first appeared on the market in 2014, the Melanio series has been no stranger to Top 10 lists both in official publications and personal lists of aficionados. Having thoroughly enjoyed a few cigars from the Serie V range in the past, and heard so many good things about the Melanio series, I was excited to get my hands on one to smoke and review.

This cigar was a perfect box pressed robusto and the oils on the Colorado Maduro wrapper glistened seductively in the light. It felt perfectly packed from head to foot and enticed me with aromas of cocoa and cedar. The cold draw was easy and creamy and I couldn’t wait to light up and start savouring the flavours it had in store for me.

My first draws were creamy and full of a deliciously warm black peppercorn sauce. A few draws later the cedar and cocoa reappeared alongside a delightful leathery taste. The wrapper left a beautiful richness on my lips that tempted me to further draws. As I smoked through the first third, I noticed subtle notes of biscuit starting to creep in. At this point, I chose my drink pairing, which was a silky bourbon-based cocktail called the Millionaire Cocktail. Just as I was heading into the middle third of the cigar, I got a glorious hit of blackcurrant, which set me up nicely for the middle portion of the cigar.

At this point the Melanio cigar started to fully reveal its strength. The burn was impeccable and the inch long mid-grey ash balls were lining up elegantly in my ashtray. I started to get notes of roasted meat and rich chestnuts. The cedar and cocoa were still hanging around, but as a subtle undercurrent rather than taking centre stage. The cocktail was the perfect pairing, the sweetness in the bourbon balancing the rich, creamy, toasted flavours of the cigar.

In the final third the flavour profile changed almost entirely. The cocoa and cedar all but disappeared to be replaced by a juicy honey-bourbon glazed barbequed steak with a pinch of allspice and cumin. This really was a sumptuous and flavoursome cigar that I enjoyed every moment of. Having smoked it, I can understand why so many people rave about it, and to be honest, I’m now going to be one of them. The Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto – not to mention other vitolas in the range – really do deserve all the praise that has been lavished on it. I know that I will be smoking this one again as soon as I can get my hands on a box.

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Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto Cigar Details