Cigar: Oliva V figurado
Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero
Vitola: Figurado 6x60
Price: $9 at my local shop, much cheaper online
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Setting: Sun room, bout 50 degrees out, 5pm, pairing with a peach Snapple.
Prelight: The cigar is a nice looking figurad with a tapered head and a nippled foot. The wrapper is a nice medium brown, with a dull sheen to it. The wrap is nice and smooth with only a couple medium sized veins. The cigar is firm from head to foot with no noticible soft spots. Cut easily with the Palio and the cold draw was a bit tight with a bit of spice.
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First third: Well, the cigar lit up easily though I was trying not to burn the wrap behind the nipple. The initial puffs blasted me with pepper and spice, surprising me cause I didn't remember that from the other vitolas of these I've had. Once the flame got past the nipple the draw opened up as I expected. The spice mellowed a bit but was still the most immediate sensation with each puff. As I got to about the first inch a leather component came to the fore, along with a woody/cedar flavor. The cigar was also burning at quite a slant. Normally I let these play out and see if they correct themselves but this one just gave me the feeling it needed some help. After the touchup things were right as rain, the the burn line continues to be a bit thick and wavy. The ash itself is on the dark and flakey side and finally dropped at a little after an inch. The finish is heavy and pleasant, but the spice is irritating the back of my throat. So far so good though.
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Second third: The slanted burn line has returned. I'm wondering if the Stinky is acting like a parabolic dish for the cold slowing down the burn on one side. The leather and wood flavors remain with a bit of coffee coming through now too. The spice is subsiding a bit but my throat is still a bit irritated. I must say other than the irritation this is one of the better tasting Vs I've had. At about the half way point a bit of chocolate is coming into the mix on the finish. It may have been there all along and just overpowered by the spice. The finish continues to be thick and pleasant, especially with the spice mellowing.
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Final third: The harshness on the back of the throat has completely gone away and the cigar is just leaving a nice spice on the tongue. The flavors continue to be very nice and the burn is pretty nice too if a bit wavy. The ash is a tad flakey but seems to always hold together till about the inch and a half mark. As I get near the nub it's getting hot and and the spice is really coming back. Overall a nice smoke with a burn time of 1:45.
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Final thoughts: Well, I must say I've enjoyed this more than any of the Vs I've had before, I found the lanceros to be really hit and miss draw wise, and the robustos kinda bland. This one was chock full of good flavors.
Liked it: Yep
Buy again: Not for 9 bucks, but for sure if it's a good deal.
Reccommend: Yep
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