Oliva Serie V

The Serie V from Oliva Cigar Company is widely considered the brand’s flagship full-bodied line and one of the cigars that elevated Oliva into the top tier of premium cigar makers. Introduced in the mid-2000s, the Serie V was built around high-priming ligero tobaccos from Nicaragua, specifically selected for their strength, richness, and complexity.

The goal behind the blend was straightforward but ambitious: create a cigar that delivers power without sacrificing balance. At the time, many full-bodied cigars leaned too heavily on strength alone. Oliva instead focused on refining the blend so that the intensity came with structure, sweetness, and depth. The Serie V quickly gained industry recognition, including high ratings and Top 25 placements, helping define the modern Nicaraguan full-bodied profile.

Produced in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Serie V reflects Oliva’s vertically integrated approach, using tobaccos grown on their own farms and carefully aged to achieve consistency. The line later expanded into variants like the Melanio and Maduro, but the original Serie V remains the core expression of the blend philosophy.

    •    Cigar Aficionado #3 Cigar of the Year 2017

    •    Cigar Aficionado #5 Cigar of the Year 2022

    •    Cigar Insider Serie V High Scoring Smoke October 2013

    •    Cigar Aficionado Best Cigars of the Year 2012

    •    Cigar Journal Finest Cigar of the Year 2012

    •    Cigar Aficionado #12 Cigar of the Year 2008

    •    Cigar Aficionado #4 Cigar of the Year 2007

Cigar Aficionado

Though a small cigar, this little corona is very bold, smacking of ground pepper—both black and white—along with notes of leather, cardamom and earth. A tasty, concentrated smoke. 92/100

Cigar Dojo