The Oliva Serie V Melanio Torpedo kicks off with an Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper that feels like velvet in your fingers. At 6.5" x52, this torpedo-shaped stogie comes box-pressed and bundled in packs of 10. Don't let the $160 price tag scare you - those dark, oily leaves hide enough complexity to justify every penny. I smoked one straight from the local tobacconist's 65% RH humidor, no aging needed.
Cold draw serves black pepper and raisin sweetness. Initial puffs erupt with baking spices - cinnamon dominates over faint nutmeg. Smoke output stays moderate, perfect for nasal exhales. Ash holds solid 1.5" despite breezy patio conditions.
Cocoa powder emerges at the 30-minute mark, blending with toasted cedar. Watch for occasional tar buildup near the cap - quick purge fixes it. Retrohale amps up espresso bitterness that coffee drinkers will dig.
Leather and charred oak take over past the band. Nicotine kick sneaks up around 75-minute mark - keep that sugary drink handy. Wrapper stays intact through nubbing, though flavors turn earthy-dark in last inch.
Seams disappear under the Oscuro wrapper's natural oil sheen. Triple cap survives guillotine cut without unraveling. Firm pack density requires punch cutter for optimal airflow. Burn line stays razor-straight without rotation.
