Oliva Serie G Cigar Review
When Smoked: September 2023
Obtained from: Sampler box (see earlier box opening)
Size: Torpedo (6.5 inches x 52)
Approximate cost: US$8.00
See ratings below
Today I am reviewing the Oliva Serie G cigar. It’s kind of amazing, I’ve been reviewing cigars for a number of years now, but I haven’t gotten around to this one yet. It’s a popular cigar, but the Oliva Serie G is kind of the “weak sister” (if you will) of the Oliva line which includes favorites like the Melanio, Serie V, Serie O, and Master Blends 3.
Interesting to note -the Oliva Serie G cigar has been around since 2006! But back then it was called the Oliva Grand Cameroon. Sometime after, Oliva re-branded their cigars to the Serie G, Serie O and Serie V that we are so familiar with today. The Oliva Serie G (natural wrapper, which is what I review here) is a true African Cameroon wrapper – that is somewhat unusual today in that West Africa does not produce as much tobacco as in 2006, when this cigar was developed. African Cameroon is a pretty unique tobacco – it has a touch of sweetness, which lends itself really well to a medium-body blend.
The downside of African Cameroon is that it’s thin and fragile – very much like the more fragile Connecticut Shade wrappers that you my have run into. As I mention in the video, in the past I have had some bad experiences with the Oliva Serie G in terms of construction – particularly unraveling and cracking of the wrapper. For that reason, I’ve only smoked a handful of Serie G cigars in recent years. This cigar was acquired a couple of months ago as part of a close-out “2021 Holiday” box. So to say it’s been resting long enough is an understatement. I did a box opening video on that, you can see it here – Box Opening – Mega Giant Oliva Sampler
This particular cigar performed well in terms of construction – absolutely no unraveling or cracking. Burn was a teensy bit off track, but nothing remotely serious. Let’s talk about taste – the flavor of this cigar is what keeps bringing me back after the above-mentioned construction issues. The sweetness in the first one-third gives way pretty quickly to leather, a bit of oak, a bit of vanilla and even (at times) a distinctive floral undertone – that flavor profile stays true until the cigar’s end. Overall impression, given the price point (about US$8), this isn’t a special occasion cigar. Honestly, in spite of the unusual flavor profile, I find the Oliva Serie G is very good but not befitting a great cigar. It pales in comparison to the Oliva Serie V and the Serie V Melanio. If you haven’t tried one yet, it’s definitely worth picking one up – but I would not go more than a 5-pack. Also, please note – some of the Oliva Serie G are box pressed (the torpedo is one that is) but some vitolas are round. I’d rate the Oliva Serie G natural an 8/10, a good cigar. Body is a 5/10 so if you’re looking for a cigar that’s very representative of medium-body smokes.
