So far, so good with the Melanio, but what about it’s flavor?  The cigar starts off with sweetness and a touch of pepper and chocolate.  The pepper picks up strength to move the cigar towards full-bodied in the second third.  The cigar then introduces a combo of sweet and creamy notes that is pleasant.  The final third offers nuts, chocolate, and earth for a solid sendoff.

Oliva put out another superb smoke with its Serie V Melanio.  The cigar really impressed me from the start with its outward appearance, and that solid first impression continued until the end.  It’s full-bodied and full-flavored, so if you are an experienced smoker seeking such a cigar then go out and pick one up.  A single costs $13, and you can also find it in boxes of 10.  It’s not cheap, but the Serie V Melanio delivers with plenty of quality.

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill earns a rating of 3.75 out of four stars.

My Father Flor de las Antillas Robusto

The Flor de las Antillas, or Flower of the Antilles is a tribute to the Cuban heritage of the famous Garcia cigar family that’s headed by the legendary Don Pepin Garcia.  While the Garcia’s typically put out cigars that sit in the full-bodied range of strength, the Flor de las Antillas ventures over to the medium-bodied side.  I will be smoking a cigar from the line in a Robusto format.

The My Father Flor de las Antillas Robusto measures 5 x 50.  Other sizes in the line include the 5 1/2 x 52 Belicoso, 6 x 52 Toro, and the 6 1/2 x 56 Toro Gordo.  The Flor de las Antillas is a Nicaraguan puro.  In other words, its filler, binder, and wrapper all consist of Nicaraguan tobaccos.  As mentioned, its strength is said to be medium-bodied.