Cigar Name
Oliva Connecticut
93
Brand:
Oliva
Origin:
Nicaragua
Reviewed:
06/07/2026
Store:
Holt's
Price:
$8
Wrapper:
Connecticut Shade (Ecuadorian)
Binder:
Nicaraguan
Filler:
Nicaraguan
Wrapper Color:
Body:
Length:
5
Ring Gauge:
50
Shape:
Robusto
Initial Impressions:
Good looking wrapper one gnarly vein near the foot. Mild, earthy cold-draw. Tight draw
First Third Notes:
Taste of toffee shortly after lighting, baking spices, creamy. Great mild flavor, canoeing that corrected itself after 5 minutes. Tried draw poker but obstruction must be further into stick. Not so bad. Flavor makes up for it.
Second Third Notes:
Cinnamon and a light cocoa taste like milk chocolate with some pepper. Wow. Draw loosening up in start of 2/3. Baking spices back, along with a nice creaminess. Draw tightened up again.
Finishing Notes:
Cinnamon and some stronger pepper. Wrapper started to bulge and then spilt at start of last third. I'm sure this was the cause of the tight draw. Really a shame since otherwise this is a really awesome cigar. Draw now perfect. Still so much flavor. Body edging to medium.
Review:
My plan was to have a relaxing morning smoke with a cup of coffee before some forecast rain while I got some work done from my laptop. This Oliva Connecticut cigar had other ideas for me. No matter how much I tried, the laptop sat unused as I savored so many awesome flavors and so much enjoyment from this stick. Draw was tight until the burn line reached a small bulge or knot that had developed near the end of the second third. The wrapper split at that point and I had to be careful holding so as to not have it completely unravel. A very unfortunate construction issue in an otherwise almost perfect smoke. Would have easily been a 95 or 96. One of the best cigars I've ever had. I'm no stranger to Oliva having probably smoked more of the brand than any other. This one reminds me of my experience with the Serie V years ago. My second or third of those cigars I had during an hour drive home from work was by far the best cigar I'd ever had. When I got home I immediately bought a box of them. I was never able to find one equal that one I had on that drive, but most were very good. Several were unfortunately real stinkers that I ended up tossing. If Oliva's consistency were better, I'm not sure I'd smoke any other brand since they can be so good. But I suppose, what would be the fun in that?
Tasted Flavors:
Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Cream, Milk Chocolate, Nutmeg, Pepper (White), Spice (General), Toffee
Drink Pairing:
Macchiato and water