Let's kick things off with the Oliva Serie G Robusto - a 4½" x 50 parejo wrapped in that distinctive African-Cameroon leaf. This Nicaraguan puro packs medium strength into its compact frame, perfect for a 45-minute smoke. At under $7 per stick in 25-count boxes, it's positioned as an affordable daily driver with pedigree (CA Top 25 '06 alumni). The Cameroon wrapper shows medium oil sheen with tight seams - decent construction though not as flawless as Oliva's V series.
The initial draws bring sweet cedar and baking spices with a noticeable white pepper tingle on retrohale. Combustion starts slightly uneven but self-corrects within 10 minutes. Ash holds firm in ¾" segments with medium smoke output.
Pepper mellows into roasted coffee bean territory. The Cameroon wrapper shines here with its signature honeyed character, though some might find it cloying without beverages. Draw remains open but not loose - typical Oliva engineering.
Earthiness ramps up with damp soil notes as the core sweetness persists. The last inch develops mild bitterness (recommend purging at halfway point). Nicotine hit stays manageable despite the smaller format.
Store at 62-65% RH to prevent wrapper splitting. Pair with Oloroso sherry to cut through the sweetness. First-time Cameroon smokers should dry-box for 12 hours - the wrapper's oil content can lead to uneven burns in high humidity.
