Oliva V Maduro Especial

Today i am smoking the Oliva V Maduro Especial Torpedo. This is the only size of the V Maduro that has been released, and it has been released in very small numbers. I picked this one up a few weeks ago at my local shop, and was really surprised to see that they still had them, as most shops do not. This cigar measures in at 6.5 inches x 52 ring gauge. The wrapper is a Connecticut broadleaf with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The head had some cracks in the wrapper, but i think i was able to cut off enough (actually more than i normally cut off of a torpedo) that the crack wont affect how this cigar smokes.

The predraw is strong, even stronger than the normal V line that i smoke very frequently. Upon lighting, i am greeted with crisp, strong flavors of earth, dark chocolate and a bit of peppery spice on the palate. Mixed in with the bitter chocolate is a really dark coffee flavor. This is starting out as a medium bodied cigar, but i have a feeling that it is going to be in the full bodied range the further i get into it. This tastes similar to the regular Oliva V line, with the dominant flavors being dark chocolate and coffee, but with a slightly richer characteristic to it.

As you can see by the picture, the Maduro wrapper compared to the regular V is just slightly darker, as a maduro should be. The regular line already has a fairly dark wrapper so the maduro doesnt look that much darker, but you can certainly taste the difference. The Maduro is the one on the bottom.

As i get into this cigar, it does increase to the full bodied range as i suspected it would. The pepper is still there a bit, but no where nearly as up front as it is in the normal V line. There is slight creamyness to this cigar that works nicely with the coffee flavors. This is the 2nd or 3rd one of these I've had, and they seem like a consistent cigar. As i pass the halfway point of this cigar, the flavors remain consistent and very pleasant, with a bit of leather showing its face within the flavor profile. This is a very rich cigar that should be enjoyed after a big meal and will stand up to just about whatever you want to drink with it, whether its a beer or a cup of coffee.

This cigar goes for around $8.50, so a bit more expensive than the regular line. I assume it is a bit pricier because of the limited number made, which is usually the case with cigars like this. Is it worth the extra money? I would probably go with the regular V line over this, but its a nice change and worth trying if you are a fan of full bodied Nicaraguan cigars. I'm sure if i come across these again ill pick up one to have on hand since they aren't easy to come by. This is another great cigar by Oliva and if you enjoy their cigars you will not be disappointed with this line.