This is the third tasting of the Oliva Classic Ole’. It is the original “Cuban” blend used by Oliva until shifting over to the “Bold” blend. The wrapper is a nice reddish-brown, with small spiderweb-like veins. A light sheen reveals the oozing oils of the wrapper, while it is slightly leathery to the touch. The cigar emitted a light, pleasing hay aroma that was slightly hypnotic. I did notice a small nick in the wrapper, and determined that it did not progress into the binder.

I carefully clipped the cap, and set to the task of coaxing a nice ember with my Zippo/Z-Plus lighter. Initial taste of sharp spice started this smoke, but soon gave way to flavors of dry cedar and medium spice. The characters did not change throughout the smoke, but did become richer as I progressed. It finishes as a full flavor, medium-bodied smoke, with tones of dry cedar.

This cigar burned nice and even the entire time. Normal rotating seemed to keep the combustion even although I was outside in the wind. It produced a pearl-gray ash that was firm and slightly gritty. I had to use a little effort to brush it off, as it was being a bit reluctant to let go.

Although this cigar is a bit one-dimensional, it does provide ample amounts of flavor while providing time to sit back and relax. We’ll rate this one again in 6 months, and assign it an, “Aging Potential Factor”.

~Blake