Cigar: Oliva Connecticut Reserve
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Origin: Nicaragua
Size: 5×50 Robusto
Price: $78.99 per box of 20, $21.99 per 5 pack from the boys at TexCigar.com
Initial Thoughts: This is one of those changes of pace cigars for Oliva like the Serie V was. Typically known for their medium to full bodied cigars, they introduced The Oliva Connecticut Reserve for the mild bodied cigar lovers. This is a great looking cigar. The color of the wrapper is beautiful blonde color and the band is very nice; A very classy looking cigar in my opinion. One of the cigars however did have a green spot on the wrapper. Lets fire up this cigar and see what happens.
Flavors: The Oliva Connecticut Reserve starts off with a little blast of earth and spice but mellows out a bit to a nice woody buttery flavor that is creamy and nutty. I also get a little bit of the Nicaraguan zing to it which is an earthy, coffee, peppery flavor. The pepper is somewhat surprising because it is supposed to be a mild cigar and I would say this is probably on the low end of medium bodied. As the cigar progresses into the second third the pepper does mellow out and is a nice creamy, buttery smoke. In the final third I think this cigar comes together and encompasses a nice balanced bouquet of all the flavors.
Smoking Characteristics: Draw is good, burn line was nice and even, but the ash was a little flaky though. The cigar also produced a good amount of smoke. It scores okay in this category.
Final Thoughts: When I first smoked these when they first came out I was not a big fan of them. I was expecting a mild bodied cigar instead I got a medium bodied cigar that had a quite a bit of pepper. However, now that I know what to expect from this cigar, it has really grown on me and I have to say this is one of my favorite Connecticut wrappered cigars now. The flavors are great and there are many changes throughout the cigar in flavors and body that really make this a complex cigar. And for about $5 it is a real bargain and I think it is a cigar that all the majority of cigar smokers will enjoy.
Worth a Try: I think everyone should try this cigar
Buy again: In a heartbeat
Enjoyablity: High
Comparable Cigars: A lighter version of the 601 Black, Perdomo Champagne 10th Anniversary, Rocky Patel Connecticut, Rocky Patel Vintage 1999, Nub Connecticut