The Oliva Serie O Robusto Tubos arrives in protective cedar-lined tubes, sporting a 5"x50 parejo shape that fits comfortably between your fingers. This Nicaraguan puro packs medium-strength flavors behind its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper - decent construction for under $10/stick makes it a go-to daily smoke.
The pre-light draw offers sweet hay notes. Upon ignition, the first inch delivers straightforward cedar with faint white pepper tingle on the tongue. Smoke output stays moderate - no choking clouds here.
Midway through, Nicaraguan tobaccos from Esteli and Jalapa valleys collide: roasted coffee beans meet bitter chocolate swirls. Ash holds solid inch-long segments, though combustion occasionally requires minor touch-ups in humid environments.
Final third introduces unexpected leather tones beneath the coffee core. Retrohales carry mild cinnamon spice without nasal burn. Nicotine buildup remains manageable, though sensitive smokers might nub out with 15 minutes remaining.
The Ecuadorian wrapper shows moderate oil sheen with visible tooth. Triple-cap finish unravels cleanly using standard cutters. Draw resistance varies slightly between samples - 2/10 sticks in our test box required corrective massage. Burn line stays within ¼" deviation when smoked slowly (45-60 minute pace recommended).
Maintained at 65% RH, these develop richer cocoa tones after 3-month rest. Tube packaging preserves wrapper integrity during travel, though consider dry-boxing for 12 hours pre-smoke to optimize combustion. Pairing suggestions: Cafe Cubano for morning sessions, aged rum in evenings to complement coffee undertones.
