Cigar: Oliva Serie G
Wrapper: Cameroon (African); Binder: Habano; Filler: Nicaraguan Habano
Year: Unknown.
Vitola: Double Robusto 5 X 54
Stored: 63-65 RH
Time in humi/cooler: 2 years, 10 months
Paired with: Water
My system: Under 70: Not worth smoking. 70: Solid cigar. 80: Good cigar. 90: Excellent 100: As good as it gets.
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Intro: A few years ago this was one of my favorite smokes. I haven’t had one in a while, so I’m curious to see if this remains true.
Construction: It had burn issues throughout such as canoeing and a few relights. However, some of that is probably due to the environment as I smoked it in a casino (exhaust fans). The draw throughout was fine.
Pre light: Like most Gs I’ve seen, the wrapper is greenish yellow with just a few veins, and the wrapper looks dry. When I sniff the wrapper, I don't smell much. If anything, there is a faint sweetness. Pre draw I get a dry woody note.
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Opening: It opens with a slightly creamy and dry taste that I get with most Cameroon wrappers. Retrohale brings pepper through the sinuses with a coffee finish on the palate. The smoke is smooth and a touch spicy.
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1st: Warm toasty tobacco is present. There is also a butteriness thrown in. The smoke feel is thin, but still finishes with a nice coffee/almond taste on the palate. There is also some spice on the palate.
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2nd: The coffee has moved to the forefront. The spice on the palate has settled down a great deal. A few retrohales bring smooth toasty tobacco with very light pepper. The ash is flaky looking yet firm. The body is lower medium. There are still almonds and nuts with a sweeter coffee finish.
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3rd: Straight as an arrow in the flavor profile, as not much changes. The only change is the wrapper developed a crack.
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Overall: This is a solid (not great) morning smoke to pair with coffee. It’s also great for new smokers because its not overpowering or over complex. If you're an experienced smoker looking for a flavor bomb or great complexity I would pass. 76/100
