Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo

lenguamor · 03-09-2012, 06:55 PM

And, my smoking companion for today:

Before anything else, I have to say that this is one beautiful cigar. The presentation begins with the uniquely lovely blue silk band with gold brocade; a class act. The wrapper is a gorgeous, dark and mottled maduro and the construction is flawless. It feels heavy in the hand.

Pre-light, the two predominant impressions in the draw are nutmeg and clove; singularly pleasant. The aroma...the only thing that I can say is that it smells distinctly Cuban, like a Partagas with some age on it.

The first draws are rich, powerful coffee, like a good French roast. An underlying sweetness tantalizes but doesn't make itself fully known; maybe the warm spices I detected pre-light.

The first couple of inches reveal flavors and aroma of roasted lamb, warm spices and a hint of charred wood, all on an assertive bed of yummy saltiness; a foundation which will be present throughout the entire cigar.

Through the nose, more roasted meat on a background of cedar and freshly-ground coffee. There is not a hint of harshness; this is a mature cigar, to be sure.

The ash is a taupe-gray; I don't know that it's even noteworthy, just that I'd never seen that before in almost 40 years smoking cigars. It's also rather flaky and doesn't hold on much longer than an inch at a time.

The second third brings aboard some orange peel and dark, sweet cherries through the nose, while the roasted meat and wood flavors fade gracefully. The mouth-watering saltiness remains throughout, underneath everything, like a well-seasoned dish.

One remarkable note: this cigar is as challenging a cigar as I've ever tried to review; I'm describing as much as I can, but for every flavor I manage to note there is at least one that eludes me. It is as complex and flavorful a smoke as I've ever had; somewhat humbling, I have to admit, for a self-professed Cuban cigar snob like me.

I knew nothing of this cigar before Scott Shilala gifted it to me, along with a couple of others. I did some research and found out that the silk bands were discontinued in 2003, so my impression that it was a well-aged cigar was spot-on. I don't know what it cost new, but I can say with certainty that now, at least nine years later, it is worth whatever that was. Kudos to Scott for collecting, keeping and aging something that a lot of us never heard of, and for generously sharing it with me.

In the home stretch, all the accumulated strength and age of this cigar comes to bear. Thorough purging and self-control keep any harshness at bay, but I believe that the retrohale portion of our program is now finished. Rich flavors persist to the end, although there is little presence of nicotine, even now.

A thoroughly enjoyable smoke. Thanks again, Scott!

Remo · 03-09-2012, 06:56 PM

Great review, very jealous and hope to get my hands on a few cloth bands at some point

GTsetGO · 03-09-2012, 06:57 PM

these are great sticks. i have a box of them and will be smoking one every year on my sons birthday until the box is done.

kelmac07 · 03-09-2012, 07:01 PM

These are YUMMY!!!

cjhalbrooks · 03-09-2012, 07:04 PM

That looks awesome and i have to say your review made me hungry

TJtorpedo · 03-09-2012, 07:05 PM

Fantastic review! I keep waiting to find that "67 corvette in the barn" with maybe a box of these tucked away in some B&M somewhere!

Remo · 03-09-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJtorpedo

Fantastic review! I keep waiting to find that "67 corvette in the barn" with maybe a box of these tucked away in some B&M somewhere!

Maybe find the Vette' with a box inside bro

TJtorpedo · 03-09-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remo_5_0

Maybe find the Vette' with a box inside bro

Now THAT would be somethin'!

dunng · 03-09-2012, 07:18 PM

Great review, sure miss them...

dwoodward · 03-10-2012, 08:10 PM

I thought the cloth bands were like "a thing of the past"...

How are you people finding these???

Ogre · 03-10-2012, 10:26 PM

Awesome Cigar, I smoked a Red Band today.

Boz · 03-10-2012, 10:38 PM

Awesome review. So glad I was able to purchase a couple of these, though I would love to get more.

lenguamor · 03-10-2012, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogre

Awesome Cigar, I smoked a Red Band today.

Scott was kind enough to include one of these as well; it may be my next review from that group...or maybe the Coronado.

:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boz

Awesome review. So glad I was able to purchase a couple of these, though I would love to get more.

Thanks. I can understand why. These are amazing.

03-09-2012, 06:55 PM	#1
lenguamor puta por Ninfas! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joe Location: The 305 again! Posts: 1,030 Trading: (23)	Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo And, my smoking companion for today: Before anything else, I have to say that this is one beautiful cigar. The presentation begins with the uniquely lovely blue silk band with gold brocade; a class act. The wrapper is a gorgeous, dark and mottled maduro and the construction is flawless. It feels heavy in the hand. Pre-light, the two predominant impressions in the draw are nutmeg and clove; singularly pleasant. The aroma...the only thing that I can say is that it smells distinctly Cuban, like a Partagas with some age on it. The first draws are rich, powerful coffee, like a good French roast. An underlying sweetness tantalizes but doesn't make itself fully known; maybe the warm spices I detected pre-light. The first couple of inches reveal flavors and aroma of roasted lamb, warm spices and a hint of charred wood, all on an assertive bed of yummy saltiness; a foundation which will be present throughout the entire cigar. Through the nose, more roasted meat on a background of cedar and freshly-ground coffee. There is not a hint of harshness; this is a mature cigar, to be sure. The ash is a taupe-gray; I don't know that it's even noteworthy, just that I'd never seen that before in almost 40 years smoking cigars. It's also rather flaky and doesn't hold on much longer than an inch at a time. The second third brings aboard some orange peel and dark, sweet cherries through the nose, while the roasted meat and wood flavors fade gracefully. The mouth-watering saltiness remains throughout, underneath everything, like a well-seasoned dish. One remarkable note: this cigar is as challenging a cigar as I've ever tried to review; I'm describing as much as I can, but for every flavor I manage to note there is at least one that eludes me. It is as complex and flavorful a smoke as I've ever had; somewhat humbling, I have to admit, for a self-professed Cuban cigar snob like me. I knew nothing of this cigar before Scott Shilala gifted it to me, along with a couple of others. I did some research and found out that the silk bands were discontinued in 2003, so my impression that it was a well-aged cigar was spot-on. I don't know what it cost new, but I can say with certainty that now, at least nine years later, it is worth whatever that was. Kudos to Scott for collecting, keeping and aging something that a lot of us never heard of, and for generously sharing it with me. In the home stretch, all the accumulated strength and age of this cigar comes to bear. Thorough purging and self-control keep any harshness at bay, but I believe that the retrohale portion of our program is now finished. Rich flavors persist to the end, although there is little presence of nicotine, even now. A thoroughly enjoyable smoke. Thanks again, Scott! __________________

03-09-2012, 06:56 PM	#2
Remo C.I.A Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: Mike Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 12,597 Trading: (122)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo Great review, very jealous and hope to get my hands on a few cloth bands at some point __________________

03-09-2012, 06:57 PM	#3
GTsetGO those were the droids Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Rob Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,686 Trading: (5)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo these are great sticks. i have a box of them and will be smoking one every year on my sons birthday until the box is done. __________________ Modded Mustangs

03-09-2012, 07:01 PM	#4
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo These are YUMMY!!! __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

03-09-2012, 07:04 PM	#5
cjhalbrooks I am behind you. SHHHHH Join Date: Dec 2011 First Name: Cory Location: Under a Bridge, trying to find the troll who stole my soul. Posts: 1,370 Trading: (20)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo That looks awesome and i have to say your review made me hungry __________________ GMCGTPWHAF Tennessee Chapter. Down with the bloody BIG HEAD

03-09-2012, 07:05 PM	#6
TJtorpedo Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Tim Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo Fantastic review! I keep waiting to find that "67 corvette in the barn" with maybe a box of these tucked away in some B&M somewhere!

03-09-2012, 07:18 PM	#9
dunng MassHole Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: MassHole Posts: 4,719 Trading: (59)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo Great review, sure miss them... __________________ MassHole Banter

03-10-2012, 08:10 PM	#10
dwoodward Gentlemen, you may smoke! Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Derrick Location: South Dakota Posts: 1,868 Trading: (26)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo I thought the cloth bands were like "a thing of the past"... How are you people finding these???

03-10-2012, 10:26 PM	#11
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo Awesome Cigar, I smoked a Red Band today. __________________

03-10-2012, 10:38 PM	#12
Boz In Vino Veritas Join Date: Jun 2011 First Name: William Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 1,544 Trading: (18)	Re: Oliva Blue Silk "O" Torpedo Awesome review. So glad I was able to purchase a couple of these, though I would love to get more. __________________ The snozzberries taste like snozzberries.