It’s no secret to our readers that I am a huge fan of the Oliva Serie V; so when I heard through nefarious sources that there would be a special release of these beauties with a maduro wrapper, I was understandably elated. Through clandestine and arcane means, my emissaries in the Brick and Mortar world delivered to me a box of my quarry with all the haste of the hounds of hell. Ecstatic and drunk with unbridled avarice, I tore into the first of these like a dessicated desert animal at an oasis. So, were they any good? You bet your sweet ass, son.

Appearance:The maduro incarnation of the Serie V is noticeably darker, but is more in keeping with the Padron natural-vs-maduro philosophy in it’s difference from the regular line. A satiny sheen on the still-rosado wrapper bore witness to increased oils brought forth by careful fermentation. In a word: beautiful.

Pre-light Draw: Earl gray tea notes that seem to indicate stronger tobacco were in evidence, carried as they were by the perfect draw of my 40 ring-gauge cut.

First Third:All of the spice of the original release Serie V was present in spades during the first puffs of this cigar. Some soft coffee flavors swirled at the periphery of this piquancy. The thick body of the smoke carried with it sea-salt nuances as a testament to the mineral richness of the soil in which this fine leaf was grown. Gentle notes of anise persisted on the finish.

Second Third: A leathery character began to develop in this middle portion, punctuated by a mildly bitter hazelnut quality. The nearly ineffable “warm” flavor that I so enjoy but struggle to describe carried me into the final stages of the cigar.

Final Third: Universally desired, but seldom seen; the ending puffs of the Serie V Maduro brought together all of the previous flavors in a curtain-call of epicurean proportions. This particular victim died slowly, impaled on the torch-bleeder of my Xikar MTX. Nub-o-licious.

Overall Impression: More than the sum of its parts, the Oliva Serie V Maduro Torpedo is a rare example of an improvement on a classic. Years of shade-tree mechanic-ism have taught me that if it ain’t broke, don’t break it; but here the Oliva family has joined the ranks of millions who have at one time or another, proved me wrong. Carefully cultivated and brilliantly constructed, the maduro revamp of the Serie V is a hands-down winner. Time to call in a favor and get a hold of some.

-Anejomofo