Oliva V Melanio Robusto Review

V Melanio Robusto
Made by: Oliva
Country: Nicaragua, Ecuador
Vitola: 5 by 52

I previously reviewed another size of this cigar, however in my personal opinion this is the best size that they put out. The only thing that would contend with this Oliva V Melanio Robusto Review would be if the company did a lancero label Melanio. Wishful thinking, but in either case let’s see what distinguishes this compared to its other brothers.

Prelight

Medium veins and a slight box press to the wrapper. In general Oliva does a pretty good job with the caps on their cigars. However, on the Melanio line the caps are near perfect. Firm even pack throughout the cigar. The foot is giving off a sweet milk chocolate with light white pepper and almost graham cracker note. There isn’t a ton of tooth to the wrapper, but I know from experience this is going to be a  creamy cigar. Easy cut, very little loose tobacco. Pretty easy prelight draw, with only a slight amount of resistance. The prelaw draw is showing more nutty notes alongside the sweet chocolate. Let’s see how it performs.

1/3

Sweet dark chocolate on the front with clean floral jasmine and white pepper on the center. The profile rounds out to a bitter hay and leather on the finish. Interesting organization of notes, the fact that the finish is lacking pepper is spectacular. Medium smoke production and medium smoke thickness. Low to medium strength and the body is currently at a medium but it is slowly rising. Pretty good burn line, I don’t foresee any touchups.

2/3

Smoke thickness has increased to medium to full, smoke production remains at a medium. The burn self-corrected and is almost perfect at the moment. Cream and woodsy notes are mixing to give the cigar the graham cracker note on the front and it is delicious. Lots of cream and leather on the finish with a tinge of sweetness, almost reminding me of “McClelland red cake” pipe tobacco. The floral note is still present, but much more subtle. White pepper makes a soft appearance on the center as I get to the end of the second third, but gets overtaken by the leather note.

3/3

Body is up to a medium to full, strength is pushing medium, but isn’t quite there. Leather comes up and takes over the profile, with cream mixed in throughout the front and center. White pepper has reappeared on the finish with a little more influence. The complexity that was present for the first and second thirds begins to dwindle. Smoke production held at a medium and smoke thickness was at a medium as well.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Conclusion: 88

Shorter smoke time, but really nice and unusual organization of flavors. It is a great cigar, not quite into 90’s territory, but at its price point it comes in quite high in terms of score. That floral note is actually surprising, all the flavors mesh wonderfully, but that one note stands out. Deem that a good thing or bad thing, either way it creates uniqueness for this cigar. If you haven’t had one of these I am not sure where you have been hiding. A must try, and if you can find a good box price it could command a box buy. As always it comes to personal preference, but I believe this cigar won’t disappoint.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com