Let's talk about the Oliva Serie V Special V Figurado - this double-tapered smoke bomb measures 6"x60 with Nicaraguan guts wrapped in an Ecuadorian Habano Sun Grown cloak. Marketed as "Ligero" for good reason, its Jalapa Valley fermented filler punches medium-full strength. At $14.18 per stick in 24-count boxes, it's the dressy cousin of everyday smokes.
The cold draw hits with barnyard earthiness. Initial lighting reveals black pepper sparkles across the tongue - like popping wintergreen mints. Smoke production stays moderate despite the 60 ring gauge. Cocoa powder emerges at the 1" burn mark, mixing with cedar shavings texture.
At the 40-minute mark, roasted coffee beans dominate. The Nicaraguan ligero shows its teeth with leather undertones. Watch for slight tunneling issues - rotate every 3-4 puffs. Retrohale exposes hidden caramelized sugar notes beneath the strength.
Last two inches bring espresso bitterness balanced by walnut creaminess. Smoke turns dense with visible oil rings. Some tightness in chest around nub area suggests moderate nicotine kick. Ideal smoking time: 85 minutes with Rum Old Fashioned.
Rolled in Esteli's Tabacos Oliva factory, these stogies use five-year-aged tobaccos from volcanic soil plots. The Jalapa Valley filler undergoes 120-day fermentation in cedar pilones - hence the spice complexity. Boxes bear 2017 San Andres cedar inserts for aroma enhancement during shipping.
