Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill

2020  Rank: 8    Rating: 95   Made by: Tabacalera Oliva, S.A.

Oliva Cigar Co.'s Serie V Melanio line has indeed established a remarkable reputation since its inception in 2012. This line has garnered numerous accolades, including high scores, consistent placements on top cigar lists, and the prestigious Cigar of the Year title in 2014 for its Figurado size. The Churchill size from this line has now secured the No. 8 position, further highlighting its excellence.

Named after Melanio Oliva, the patriarch of the Oliva family, who is believed to have been the first to cultivate tobacco in the 1800s, the Serie V Melanio pays homage to this rich family heritage. The blend comprises Nicaraguan tobaccos primarily sourced from Jalapa, known for its milder and more nuanced tobacco compared to other regions in Nicaragua, and this offers it distinctive character and flavor profiles.

To accentuate the qualities of the Jalapa tobacco, Oliva utilizes a premium wrapper grown in Ecuador from Sumatra seeds, wrapping both the binder and filler. The cigars are then box-pressed, presenting them as the pinnacle of Oliva's cigar portfolio. While they are certainly considered a luxury product and are priced accordingly, they offer exceptional value for aficionados seeking cigars of superior quality.

The Serie V Melanio cigars are praised for delivering a harmonious balance of flavors, notably featuring profound notes of chocolate and almond. Despite the complexity of flavors, these cigars maintain perfect balance throughout the smoking experience, further enhancing their appeal to discerning cigar enthusiasts.