My first Oliva 'V'...

[veeref]

As you can tell by my other thread, I'm a fan of Oliva 'G' esp. in Maduro. Well, this afternoon I finished some house work (sanding and paintig my fireplace mantle) and my wife is out of town, so, I decided to swing by the local B&M and try my first Serie V. I decided to skip the 'O' until the 2 torps I have in my humi could sit for a few more weeks.

I picked out the Belicoso size, it was about $7-8. I picked out this shape so I could vary the draw easily if I had to. I lit it up using probably 3-4 cedar sticks. I had to touch it up a few times with a torch to get the burn even. It had copious amounts of smoke, and after the first few puffs, I could tell it was smooth and going to be a good smoke.

However, as soon as I got towards the second half, the strength started to pick up considerably, and it was starting to creep up to the top end of my comfort zone. Also, I couldn't keep the darn thing lit. I ended up chopping the ash off with the cutter, opening up the head more, and re-lighting it, but the smoke was becoming real thin, and it was a chore (i.e., had to really puff at it) to keep it lit. After a few minutes of this, it was starting to burn hot and taste harsh and I put it down with about almost 2" left to it.

Has anyone else had this problem? Had this thing kept its profile thoughout, I would have loved to 'nub it. You guys think the store's humi was out of whack, or these hadn't sat long enough to acclimate?

[Rubix^3]

Sorry you had a bad experience with this one. My guess is that the cigar was a bit over humidified, hence the burn problems and harsh taste. My local shop keeps its humidor way too high, so if I ever smoke one the day I buy it, same thing happens...
I really like the V and would encourage you to give one another go. Try buying another one, but storing it in your humi for a while to "rest" it. Several weeks will be adequate, but if you give it more time, the flavors will soften considerably. 2-3 months in the humi and you will certainly notice a difference with most cigars.
Cheers!

[Mitch]

I have not had the same problem you did. Sounds to me like yours was too wet. I thought it was a strong cigar, but I did not have a problem keeping it lit. I would recommend to try it again.

[mrsmitty]

Originally Posted by Mitch

I have not had the same problem you did. Sounds to me like yours was too wet. I thought it was a strong cigar, but I did not have a problem keeping it lit. I would recommend to try it again.

Diddo on that. I would try another one, let it rest for a bit. I've been dry boxing as well and it seems to be helping a lot.

[veeref]

Thanks for the replies. I took your guys' advice and purchased another to take home and store in my humi. I'll rotate it in and try it in a few months. Hopefully it will burn & taste better than the one I had today.

[Tarks]

I have enjoyed all the V's that I have smoked. My favorite is the Lancero. Just ordered a box of the double robusto today off cigarplace.biz. They have all the v's for 20% off.

[Schecter30]

Originally Posted by veeref

Also, I couldn't keep the darn thing lit. I ended up chopping the ash off with the cutter, opening up the head more, and re-lighting it, but the smoke was becoming real thin, and it was a chore (i.e., had to really puff at it) to keep it lit. After a few minutes of this, it was starting to burn hot and taste harsh and I put it down with about almost 2" left to it.

Has anyone else had this problem? Had this thing kept its profile thoughout, I would have loved to 'nub it. You guys think the store's humi was out of whack, or these hadn't sat long enough to acclimate?

The Oliva V's have a thick azz meaty wrapper on them, so if they're just a little bit to humid they're not gonna burn so even. (probably should be kept at 63 to 65 tops rh) That said the Oliva V isn't a cigar I'd probably nub anyway, the buzz would get me good a little more than halfway ha. I've heard ppl say the taste goes downhill on the last half as well.

[scottw]

I try to keep my sticks at 62-65% rh and then drybox for day before smoking. so far, so good

[BengalMan]

Like others have said, the stick sounds like it was over humidified. As far as the flavor goes, you should know going in that the V is a strong cigar, no doubt about it. At the half way point it does pick up even more strength. If full bodied cigars don't go well with your stomach, this stick may not be for you.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by veeref

You guys think the store's humi was out of whack, or these hadn't sat long enough to acclimate?

Yup... you got it.

It's a sad fact that many B&Ms keep their sticks too wet. I too used to like to go to a B&M and pick up something to smoke on the day, but lately, I've given up on the practice. I have resigned myself to letting everything sit for at least two weeks before torching it.

The V is definitely one of my top five stogies. I prefer the torpedo, but they all rock. And yeah, pretty stout smoke.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by BengalMan

Like others have said, the stick sounds like it was over humidified. As far as the flavor goes, you should know going in that the V is a strong cigar, no doubt about it. At the half way point it does pick up even more strength. If full bodied cigars don't go well with your stomach, this stick may not be for you.

Ditto this, I was only addressing the burning issue. I have had friends get sick from this stick because of how strong it is. Not many cigars give me a buzz, this is one of them.

[piperdown]

The V is wonderfully potent and, in my opinion, keeps the same flavor profile throughout the cigar.
Hit and miss with the B&M's around KC. Some are right on, others require me to let the stick rest, as others have mentioned.
I would suggest buying one more and let it rest for about 2 weeks and then fire it up. Warning though, have some sugar on hand or a "real" soda to help with the nicotine buzz. Chocolate truffles work extremely well and will help identify the coca flavor in a lot of cigars. I get mine from Costco.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by piperdown

The V is wonderfully potent and, in my opinion, keeps the same flavor profile throughout the cigar.
Hit and miss with the B&M's around KC. Some are right on, others require me to let the stick rest, as others have mentioned.
I would suggest buying one more and let it rest for about 2 weeks and then fire it up. Warning though, have some sugar on hand or a "real" soda to help with the nicotine buzz. Chocolate truffles work extremely well and will help identify the coca flavor in a lot of cigars. I get mine from Costco.

Hey, I see your in KC. What shops do you go to. I hung out at Outlaw today. I stopped by Diebels today, they are so hit and miss there. Some workers are great, others are jerks at Diebels.

[piperdown]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Hey, I see your in KC. What shops do you go to. I hung out at Outlaw today. I stopped by Diebels today, they are so hit and miss there. Some workers are great, others are jerks at Diebels.

Not to highjack the thread but I usually head to Fidel's in Westport.
Diebel's on the plaza (more friendly as you go back) and occationally Cigar and Tabac off of Metcalf.

And...back on topic...thoroughly enjoyed a V this afternoon! Been laying in my humi for about 5 weeks after picking some up. Wonderful full bodied smoke. Tends to be on the dry side IMO but great hints of leather, cedar, and something I can't quite figure out. Great smoke!

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by piperdown

Not to highjack the thread but I usually head to Fidel's in Westport.
Diebel's on the plaza (more friendly as you go back) and occationally Cigar and Tabac off of Metcalf.

And...back on topic...thoroughly enjoyed a V this afternoon! Been laying in my humi for about 5 weeks after picking some up. Wonderful full bodied smoke. Tends to be on the dry side IMO but great hints of leather, cedar, and something I can't quite figure out. Great smoke!

Gotcha, yeah I don't want to hi-jack it either. I like Fidel's, except all the horror movies they show. I am more of a Outlaw guy, a bunch of jocks. I fit in more there. I was about to burn $70 at Diebel's, but left because the guy was such a jerk to me. I went to Outlaw and spent the money there instead.