Cigar Vitals
- Flor de Oliva Maduro – Torpedo
Size: 6 x 52
Shape: Torpedo
Wrapper: Maduro
Filler: Nicaraguan Long Filler
Binder: Nicaraguan
Smoking Time: ~ 45 minutes – 1 hr (pending the draw)
Where to Buy: Cigar.com
MSRP: ~ $2.00 Single, $34.95 Bundle of 20
Overall Rating: 5.25
Very similar to its brother cigar of a lighter shade of wrapper, the Flor de Oliva is hailed by most aficionados as the best value on the market. They are all made by hand with 100% Nicaraguan long fillers and are unbelievably low priced. You can’t beat the price and the smoke, definitely worth a try or to have in your quiver of cigars.
Appearance (4)
The Flor de Oliva wrapper is natural and veinal with a dark chocolate color. The overall construction of the cigar is not the caliber of more premium cigars, but still maintains acceptable appearance between the gas station cigar and the primo cigars that are out there. The binder was very tightly wrapped and at first glance was very interested on the seeing how this would translate into the burn and draw of the cigar…
Flavor (4)
After noting the appearance, I was very curious to indulge in the taste, being part of the Oliva family I was intrigued to see what they would bring to a value/bargain cigar. What followed was a heavy, spice with a scent of earth. Very much a typical Maduro cigar with full body and taste.
Burn (4)
I agree with my counterpart in crime on this category, as it being one of the most important. The burn of the cigar can truly make or break your experience and enjoyment. If you get a cigar with a bad draw, one that runs, or you constantly have to re-light, you are maintaining a cigar rather than relaxing and enjoying the different intricacies and characteristics of the cigar. This in my opinion can ruin any future smokes with that particular cigar if it renders any of the following negative characteristics I mentioned above.
Upon lighting the cigar, I was greeted with a hint of spice – very common for Nicaraguan cigars and Maduro wrappers. The flavors of the Flor de Oliva tend to show themselves at the beginning of the draw and leave less of an impression at the finish, and a bitterness toward the end.
My biggest complaint with this cigar was the draw. Being a tightly wrapped cigar I found myself constantly having to maintain the cigar. The draw for the size of the cigar was not to my liking. The burn did not run, and kept an even burn, but it was a cigar that I really had to work with for it to remain lit and really intake a good amount of smoke. Due to this the cigar only lasted 35 minutes, rather than what it should (between 45 minutes to an hour), for its size.
Value (9)
Within this price range, it is really hard to argue the value in the Flor de Oliva. While the cigar isn’t of the highest quality, we have to expect that at this price point.
Overall Experience (5.25)
Overall, it was not a horrible cigar, and you never know it could have been just one out of the bundle, that had a bad draw. I’ll update this post if I find otherwise with the next smoke I indulge in with the Flor de Oliva Maduro.
Can’t beat the value of the cigar and like my cohort said it is the perfect cigar to have for the occasional “cigar bum” who may not smoke cigars or even enjoy them, but wants to have one to join the cool guys. Rather give him or her a cigar that won’t really be wasted on their palate. It is a good cigar to have for those “bummers!”
Moby
Dano
