The Oliva Serie O Toro stands out with its 6x50 frame wrapped in Ecuadorian Habano leaf. Priced at $163.80 per box of 20, this Nicaraguan puro uses tobaccos from three key growing regions - Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa Valley. Its sun-grown wrapper shimmers with visible oils, promising medium-strength flavors that unfold like chapters in a well-paced novel.
The cold draw serves up earth and cedar. Upon lighting, white pepper kicks in through the nose with medium smoke output. Burn line stays sharp, revealing a dense gray ash that holds firm for two inches. Retrohale brings out roasted nuts and a subtle caramel sweetness.
Flavors intensify as the cigar heats up - dark chocolate dominates with background notes of cinnamon. Some testers report brief bitterness around the halfway point, particularly in humidor-stored samples exceeding 70% RH. Smoke becomes creamier, requiring slower draws to manage warmth.
Mineral notes emerge alongside espresso bean bitterness. The last inch introduces black pepper spice that tingles the tongue without harshness. Nicotine strength creeps up to medium-full, suggesting this Toro works better after meals than on empty stomachs.
Jalapa Valley filler contributes floral notes while Esteli tobacco provides the spicy backbone. The Ecuadorian wrapper - grown from Cuban-seed stock - develops extra oil content under intense sunlight. Aging for 2-3 years helps integrate the regional blends, though the cigar smokes well fresh from shipment.
Pair with oaked Chardonnay to highlight the cedar notes or dark roast coffee to complement the chocolate flavors. Storage-wise, you'll wanna keep the humidity around 65-68% to dodge any bitterness creeping in. These age beautifully - revisit one every six months to track flavor evolution.
