The KC/DW Review Series

[DeeDubya]

Considered to be Oliva's most luxurious series, I had to try some when they were first introduced. Although fairly impressed I just couldn't rank them with the V or the Master Blends 3. This evening I got the urge to try another that had been hibernating in my humi for about 18 months.

The special tapered foot made it easy to light and start an even burn but it did have a somewhat hard draw that just wouldn't go away. Finally, after smoking through the first third I gave up, got my cutter and wacked another 1/8" off the head to free it up considerably. The tight spot was right at the slightly tapered head just above the cap.

Things got better and I really started enjoying the spices in the Nicaraguan Habano long-fillers and Cuban-seed binder. Of course the lush Ecuadorian sun-grown (aged 5 years) wrapper contributed as well. Supposedly the leaf is aged in cedar crates which impart the natural richness while maintaining the smoothness desired. Considered to be full-bodied I would call it medium compared to other Habano's I have tried. Very tastey, and true to the high quality that the Oliva's are known for.

Other than just really good tobacco flavors (spicey and earthy) I couldn't detect any pronounced scents or flavors. Maybe some cedar, but then this stogie was aged, wrapped, and stored in cedar it's entire life.

At somewhere around $17 bucks it is not a "value" yard-gar, fish-gar or anything at the top of the charts either, just a very good cigar. One that should be enjoyed to it's fullest in a leisure setting to appreciate the quality rolled into it. There are many to choose from in this price range but I will say that it holds it's own up on the top shelf.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.4.