Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado is a full-bodied Nicaraguan cigar in a distinctive 6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed Figurado format. The line’s flagship shape combines tapered ends with a broad center, giving the cigar a focused opening, a rich middle and a concentrated finish. It is one of Oliva’s best-known premium cigars and represents the refined, Jalapa-forward expression of the Serie V blend.
An Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper covers Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan long fillers, including expertly fermented ligero tobaccos. The silky wrapper adds natural sweetness, cocoa and leather, while the Nicaraguan core brings espresso, cedar, earth and pepper. Jalapa-grown tobacco gives the blend an aromatic, balanced character that complements its substantial strength.
Expect flavours of espresso, cocoa, dark chocolate, leather, cedar, toasted bread, earth, roasted nuts, black pepper and a subtle caramel-like sweetness. The tapered foot begins with focused coffee, cocoa and pepper before the cigar expands into a creamier, fuller middle. The final third becomes richer in leather, earth and dark tobacco, with lingering spice balanced by the wrapper’s natural sweetness.
Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado is best suited to experienced smokers or anyone seeking a premium, complex Nicaraguan cigar with a substantial flavour profile. Pair it with espresso, bourbon, aged rum, a stout, port or a mature single-malt Scotch.
Box of 10 cigars
Sharukh M –
First Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro for me.
First Third:
The cigar opened with sweet cocoa, toasted nuts and a touch of spice. The palate was smooth and creamy, with the cocoa remaining consistent. A very faint hint of milk chocolate appeared briefly on the exhale, but it was fleeting. The retrohale was smooth with a light touch of pepper.
Second Third:
The cocoa and nuttiness continued, joined by dry cocoa, espresso and a touch of earth. The retrohale remained smooth, bringing out cocoa and espresso with mild spice. A pleasant sweetness developed on the tongue, while the cigar remained creamy and balanced.
Final Third:
The cocoa, nuts and espresso continued, while molasses sweetness became more noticeable. A touch of leather appeared alongside the cocoa, nuts and spice. The molasses added a deeper sweetness as the cigar progressed. Near the very end, some pepper and combustion notes began to develop, signaling that the cigar was reaching its natural stopping point.
Construction:
Very good construction. The draw was smooth, the burn was generally excellent, and the ash was particularly impressive, holding for roughly 2 inches before falling. Only a couple of minor touch-ups were needed. The cigar remained cool and enjoyable throughout most of the smoke.
Overall:
This was my first Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro, and it was an excellent introduction. The dominant profile for me was cocoa, nuts and espresso, with molasses, earth, leather and spice developing along the way. The brief milk-chocolate note was enjoyable but wasn’t substantial enough to make it a true milk-chocolate bomb. I’d describe it more as a rich cocoa/dark-chocolate cigar with coffee and nutty depth. Very consistent and complex from beginning to end.
Smoke Time: Approximately 1 hour+
Rating: 4.5/5