Oliva V Melanio Robusto Natural

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto comes from the line that put Oliva at the very top of the Nicaraguan cigar world — the Melanio Figurado was Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of the Year in 2014, and every vitola in the series scores consistently in the 90s. Named for family patriarch Melanio Oliva, this 5 × 52 robusto wears a gorgeous Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over aged Nicaraguan binder and filler, with a gentle box-press that's become the line's signature.

Construction

The Sumatra wrapper is golden-brown and oily with a flawless seam. Cold draw gives raisin and cedar. Oliva's quality control on the Melanio line is exceptional — expect an even burn, a firm gray ash, and a draw that stays consistent through the final third.

Flavor profile

Medium to full-bodied with remarkable polish. The first third opens with cocoa, cedar, and toasted almond. The middle third develops caramel sweetness, espresso, and a soft baking spice. The final third deepens into dark chocolate and seasoned oak with a long, smooth finish. The retrohale carries a refined sweetness rare in cigars at this strength. A 50–65 minute smoke.

Pairings & occasion

A special-occasion afternoon or after-dinner cigar. Pair with a sherry-cask Scotch (Macallan 12, GlenDronach 12), a wheated bourbon (Maker's Mark, Larceny), or an espresso. The caramel notes in the blend echo beautifully off sherry and wheat sweetness.

How we ship

Every Serie V Melanio in our humidor is hand-inspected before shipping. Free shipping on orders over $50.