Let's talk about the Oliva Serie V Lancero - that sleek 7x38 stick some call the "Ligero King." This Nicaraguan puro comes in boxes of 24 at around $223.20, packing medium-full strength into its slender frame. Those familiar with lancero formats know what's coming: concentrated flavors begging for your full attention.
The initial third hits with dark roast coffee bitterness wrapped in black pepper spice. About half-inch in, charred oak notes emerge with that signature Nicatgara earthiness. Burn stays razor-sharp - no canoeing here if properly humidified.
Mid-section shifts gears around the 30-minute mark. Dried cherry sweetness cuts through the initial intensity, while baking spices (cinnamon stick, nutmeg) mingle with toasted almonds. Smoke output stays moderate - not a chimney like some maduros.
Final third brings the nic kick. Cocoa powder and espresso beans dominate as the ligero filler shows its teeth. Stop at 1.5" nub unless you want that familiar Nicatgara vitamin N headache. Pairing tip: Skip the whiskey - this one sings with black coffee.
The magic happens where Estelí's volcanic soil meets Jalapa's lush valleys. That wrapper leaf? Sun-grown Habano from Ecuadorian seedstock, fermented just enough to develop its oily sheen. Binder and filler tobaccos come from Oliva's private Jalapa farms - you're tasting 5 generations of Nicaraguan growing expertise in every draw.
