
Oliva Cigar Co has its roots in Cuba, where the Oliva family began producing cigars in the 1880s.
The company's founder, Melanio Oliva, was a skilled cigar maker who learned his trade from his father.
Oliva Cigar Co's success can be attributed to its high-quality cigars, which quickly gained popularity among cigar enthusiasts.
The company's cigars are made with premium tobaccos, carefully selected for their unique flavor profiles.
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Cuban Roots: A Tradition Begins
The Oliva Cigar Co. has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century, when Melanio Oliva began cultivating tobacco in Cuba.
The Pinar del Río region in Cuba, where Melanio grew tobacco, is renowned for its fertile soil and ideal climate, making it a global center for premium tobacco production.
Melanio's dedication to growing high-quality tobacco laid the foundation for what would eventually become Oliva Cigars.
For the Oliva family, tobacco farming was a way of life, not just a livelihood.
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Melanio's tobacco farm in the Pinar del Río region would later become one of the most famous cigar-producing areas in the world.
The Oliva family's journey in the cigar industry began in 1886, when Melanio founded the company in Cuba.
Oliva Cigars has a long history that spans over a century, with the company being founded by Melanio Oliva in 1886.
The Oliva family's roots in the cigar industry are deeply rooted in Cuba, where they grew high-quality tobacco and produced some of the best cigars in the world.
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Cigar Manufacturing Process
Oliva Cigars are made using a traditional hand-rolling method, where each cigar is crafted by a skilled torcedor.
The torcedor selects the tobacco leaves and creates a blend that will produce the desired flavor and aroma.
Each cigar is then placed on a wooden board and rolled into the desired shape.
A wrapper leaf is carefully wrapped around the cigar, giving it its final appearance.
The torcedor trims the end of the cigar and places it in a wooden mold to help it maintain its shape.
The aging process is critical, allowing the flavors to develop and mature.
Oliva Cigars are aged for at least six months before they are packaged and shipped.
Oliva Cigar Co. Development
In 2003, Oliva opened a new facility in Estelí, replacing a smaller factory, and by 2005, the company was producing 6 million cigars a year.
The brand's flagship, the Oliva Serie V, was launched in 2006 and named to Cigar Aficionado magazine's list of the Best Cigars of 2008.
Oliva's production more than doubled in four years, reaching 13 million cigars in 2009, with the company using tobacco grown in various regions of Nicaragua.
The brand's premiere products are produced in a 60,000-square-foot rolling facility in Estelí, capable of producing 50,000 cigars a day.
Lower-end products are manufactured in a smaller facility in Danlí, Honduras, and shipped to Nicaragua for final export.
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Development
Oliva Cigar Co. opened up a new facility in Estelí in July 2003, replacing a smaller factory.
By 2005, the company was producing 6 million cigars a year and expanding its operations continually. About 90% of the company's production was in Oliva-branded product.
The brand uses tobacco grown by the company itself in Estelí, Condega, Jalapa, and Somoto, Nicaragua.
In 2009, the company produced 13 million cigars for the market, more than double its output from four years prior.
Oliva's flagship is the Oliva Serie V, a cigar launched in 2006, which was named to Cigar Aficionado magazine's list of the Best Cigars of 2008.
The brand also makes a line of squat, thick cigars bearing the brand-name "NUb."
The company's premiere products are produced in a 60,000-square-foot rolling facility located in Estelí, Nicaragua, capable of producing 50,000 cigars a day.
Lower-end products are manufactured in a smaller facility located in Danlí, Honduras and shipped to Nicaragua for final export.
In 2010, some 350 rollers were employed in the Estelí facility.
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Gilberto Reserva
The Gilberto Reserva is a standout cigar in the Oliva portfolio, featuring a shiny and tightly wrapped Sumatran cigar wrapper.
This exclusive Ecuadorian binder holds together vintage Nicaraguan filler tobaccos from the Oliva farm, producing a rich and heavily spiced smoke.
The Gilberto Reserva is a medium to full-bodied cigar, boasting a dark cocoa sweetness thanks to additional fermentation stages.
Smokers seeking a milder experience can opt for the Gilberto Oliva Blanc, which has the same solid construction but with a milder, shade-grown cigar wrapper varietal.
Brands and Offerings
Oliva Cigar Co. has a wide range of brands to choose from.
The company's flagship brand is Oliva, which offers a variety of cigars for different tastes and preferences.
The Oliva brand includes several popular lines, such as the Oliva Serie G and the Oliva Serie V.
Here are some of the notable brands under the Oliva Cigar Co. umbrella:
- Oliva
- Flor de Oliva
- Master Blends 3
- Nub
- Cain
- Cain Nub
- Viejo Mundo
- Nub Nuance
Explore All Offerings
At Oliva Cigar Co., you'll find a variety of brands to choose from, including Oliva, Flor de Oliva, and more.
The company's portfolio is quite extensive, with 8 distinct brands under its umbrella.
Here are some of the notable brands you can explore:
- Oliva
- Flor de Oliva
- Master Blends 3
- Nub
- Cain
- Cain Nub
- Viejo Mundo
- Nub Nuance
If you're particularly interested in Flor de Oliva, you'll be happy to know it's available in various wrapper types, including original, gold, corojo, and maduro.
Serie V Melanio
The Oliva Serie V Melanio is a standout offering in the Oliva brand, and for good reason. It was first introduced in 2012 at the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show.
This cigar is made with Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos, sourced from Oliva's own plantations. Each one comes wrapped in a Sumatra-seed cigar wrapper from Ecuador, a unique touch for the Serie V line.
The Serie V Melanio is a masterclass in balance, with a premium cigar blend that's both complex and refined. The wrapper from Ecuador adds a distinctive flavor profile to the mix.
The Serie V Melanio produces an insane amount of flavor, while retaining nearly the same body as the regular V line. This makes it a great choice for those who want a robust cigar experience.
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Serie O
The Oliva Serie O is a Nicaraguan puro that debuted in 2012, landing a 94-point score from Cigar Aficionado.
The Serie O is a woodsy, heavily spiced take on the rich coffee approach, making it a great option for strong cigar smokers who prefer a robust flavor.
Handcrafted in Estelí, Nicaragua, this modern cigar is surprisingly smooth thanks to its long-filler innards and Cuban-seed cigar wrapper receiving additional fermentation time.

You can also get the Serie O in maduro form, which features a Nicaraguan-grown Habano filler and binder, and a dark chocolate Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper that's sweet but not cloying.
The Serie O Maduro takes the spice and cedar approach to a whole new level, making it a great option for those who like their cigars on the sweeter side.
Serie G
The Oliva Serie G is a medium-bodied blend with a Cameroon cigar wrapper from Africa, paired with aged Nicaraguan Habano filler tobacco for added flavor and mellowness.
The Serie G is available in both natural and maduro varieties. The natural version is constructed around a Cameroon wrapper, while the maduro variant relies on a Mexican wrapper for its outer layer.
The maduro variant of the Serie G is particularly tasty, making it a great choice for an after-dinner short smoke.
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Connecticut Reserve
Oliva's Connecticut Reserve is a great option for those who prefer a milder cigar. Nicaraguan long-filler and binder are used in this cigar. It's finished with a shade-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut cigar wrapper. This combination results in a medium-bodied smoke that's silky and smooth.
Tannin notes, toffee, and meadowcream are common flavors found in this cigar. These flavors complement its subtlety nicely.
Master Blends 3
Master Blends 3 is a limited series of Oliva artisanal blends. The "Liga Maestra" release is a complex and fairly intense smoke.
It relies on a unique blend of 100% Nicaraguan ligero filler. This gives the cigar a distinct flavor profile.
The binder is Nicaraguan, but it's described as nondescript, suggesting it's not the star of the show. The wrapper is sun-grown Connecticut Broadleaf, in maduro form, from the state of Connecticut.
Oliva's Master Blends 3 is part of the company's exploration of its "boutique cigar" roots. This suggests a focus on high-end, premium cigars.
Quality and Innovation
Oliva Cigar Co. is renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality. They control every aspect of production, from growing the tobacco to manufacturing the cigars, ensuring consistency and excellence in every product.
Their attention to detail has allowed them to create a wide range of cigars that cater to different tastes and preferences. This dedication to quality has earned Oliva a reputation as a premium cigar brand.
The Serie V, introduced in 2006, quickly became a favorite among aficionados. It's made with a blend of specially fermented ligero leaves from Nicaragua's Jalapa Valley.
The Serie V showcased the power and complexity of Nicaraguan tobacco, earning numerous accolades and top ratings from cigar publications worldwide.
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Legacy and Expansion
Oliva Cigars has been a family-run business for generations, with the third generation of the Oliva family deeply involved in its operations.
The brand has continued to grow, offering new blends and expanding its global distribution while staying true to its roots in quality tobacco and craftsmanship.
In 2016, Oliva Cigars was acquired by J. Cortès, a Belgian company that specializes in machine-made cigars, but this acquisition has actually strengthened Oliva's position in the market.
The family remains involved in the business, and J. Cortès has provided the resources necessary to expand Oliva's global reach without compromising the quality for which they are known.
The success of Oliva Cigars is a testament to the family's resilience and dedication to their craft.
Today, you can find Oliva cigars in a variety of styles, from the full-bodied Serie V to the award-winning Serie V Melanio, each one a testament to the family's rich history and commitment to quality.
Their ability to honor tradition while embracing innovation has made them a beloved brand among cigar aficionados.
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Cigars and Flavor
Oliva Cigars are known for producing some of the finest cigars in the world. The cigar has a very tight cold draw, with cedar and cold steel on the breath.
The construction of an Oliva Cigar is flawless, allowing for a very even light. The first third tastes of mahogany and spice, with a great aroma off the foot.
A key factor in the flavor of an Oliva Cigar is the aging process, which allows the flavors to develop and mature. Oliva Cigars are aged for at least six months before they are packaged and shipped.
The flavors of an Oliva Cigar can be quite complex, with notes of chocolate, strawberry, and hazelnuts. The second third turns into a very woody smoke, however, its creamier with lingering spice.
Flavor and Smoke
The flavor and smoke of a cigar are truly one of its most enjoyable aspects. A tight cold draw can be a sign of a well-made cigar, as seen in the example of a cigar that "combusts beautifully with a very even light".
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The initial flavors of a cigar can be a great indicator of its quality. In one example, the first third tastes of mahogany and spice, with a smooth and creamy texture. The tight draw is not as distracting as you'd think, and the chocolate aroma off the foot is a nice bonus.
A well-made cigar can put even the most seasoned smoker at ease. The construction of a cigar is just as important as its flavor, and a tight draw can be a sign of a job well done. The ash build up on this particular cigar is "spectacular and almost picture perfect".
As you smoke a cigar, the flavors can evolve and change. In one example, the second third turns into a very woody smoke, with a lingering spice. The strawberry and hazelnut flavors on the back end are a nice touch.
The last third of a cigar can be just as enjoyable as the first. In one example, the flavors get grippier like wine tannins as the cigar burns towards the finish line. The chocolate frosting aroma off the foot is a nice way to cap off the smoking experience.
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Cigars
Oliva Cigars is one of the most respected names in the cigar industry, known for producing some of the finest cigars in the world.
The story of Oliva is one of perseverance, family tradition, and a relentless pursuit of quality. With roots tracing back to Cuba and a flourishing presence in Nicaragua, Oliva has earned a place among the most prestigious cigar brands globally.
Oliva Cigars is known for producing some of the finest cigars in the world.
Their story is a testament to the power of family tradition and a commitment to quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Oliva cigars high end?
Oliva cigars are considered high-end due to their meticulous craftsmanship and premium quality tobacco. Handcrafted by skilled artisans, each cigar delivers a superior smoking experience.
How expensive are Oliva cigars?
Oliva cigars range from around $9 to $20 per cigar, depending on the specific blend and series. Prices vary, but you can expect to pay between $9 and $20 for a single Oliva cigar.
What is a $300 cigar?
The Oliva Serie V Roaring Twenties is a $300 cigar, a unique 6 x 60 double perfecto that is part of Oliva's Super Limited Edition series. This premium cigar is a rare and exclusive smoking experience.
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