Oliva Cigars: A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
Oliva Cigars stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of premium cigar craftsmanship, tracing its roots back to 1886 when Melanio Oliva cultivated his first tobacco crop in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. Despite interruptions due to the Cuban War of Independence and later political upheavals, the Oliva family persevered, with each generation contributing to the growth and evolution of their tobacco business.
Historical Background
Melanio Oliva began his journey into the world of tobacco in the late 19th century, cultivating his first crop in the fertile soils of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. His passion for tobacco was temporarily put on hold as he joined the Cuban War of Independence. Upon his return, Melanio resumed his operations, laying the foundation for what would become a legendary family business. In the early 1920s, his son Facundo Oliva took over the operations, continuing the family tradition for several decades.
As Cuba's political landscape changed with the rise of communism, Facundo’s son, Gilberto Oliva, faced increasing challenges. In response to the shifting environment, Gilberto transitioned from growing tobacco to brokering it. However, the pressure from the government became too great, prompting Gilberto to leave Cuba in the early 1960s in search of better opportunities.
Journey to Nicaragua
Gilberto Oliva’s quest to find the perfect conditions for tobacco cultivation took him across various countries, including Honduras, Panama, Mexico, and even the Philippines. His relentless search finally ended in Nicaragua, where the rich volcanic soil and favorable climate provided an ideal environment for growing high-quality tobacco. Today, the Oliva family is one of Nicaragua's largest growers of Cuban-seed tobacco, maintaining the same time-tested methods of curing, blending, and rolling that have earned them numerous accolades.
Rise of Oliva Cigars
The Oliva Cigar Company was founded during the cigar boom of the 1990s, a period marked by an unprecedented surge in demand for premium cigars. Partnering with the renowned Plasencia family, the Olivas introduced their first blend in 1995. Initially, they faced significant challenges in establishing their brand amidst the competition. However, their dedication to quality and consistency soon paid off, and Oliva Cigars began to gain a loyal following.
Signature Blends and Milestones
One of the company’s early successes was the release of Oliva Master Blends 3 in 2003, a blend that showcased Oliva's ability to produce top-shelf, premium cigars. This blend remains a popular choice among seasoned aficionados for its rich, complex flavors.
The subsequent introduction of the Serie O and Serie G blends further solidified Oliva's reputation. These cigars, crafted with meticulously selected Nicaraguan tobaccos, offered a range of flavors and strengths that appealed to a broad spectrum of cigar enthusiasts.
However, it was the release of Oliva Serie V in 2007 that truly put the brand on the map. This full-bodied cigar, known for its spicy Nicaraguan profile and Cuban-seed wrapper leaf, received numerous accolades, including a top-five spot in Cigar Aficionado's 2007 rankings. The Serie V quickly became a favorite among cigar lovers for its robust flavors and exceptional construction.
Innovative Brands and Varieties
Innovation has always been at the heart of Oliva Cigars. The NUb brand, introduced by Oliva, features short, thick cigars designed to hit the sweet spot
from the first puff. These unique cigars have gained a dedicated following for their distinctive shapes and flavors.
Oliva Cain F: A bold, full-bodied cigar featuring a blend of triple-fermented ligero tobaccos. The Oliva Cain F delivers intense flavors of spice, earth, and leather, perfect for aficionados seeking a robust smoking experience.
Oliva Cain: Crafted with a blend of straight ligero tobaccos, the Oliva Cain offers a medium to full-bodied profile. Enjoy rich notes of dark chocolate, pepper, and a hint of sweetness in this well-balanced cigar.
Oliva Cain Daytona: This medium-bodied cigar features a blend of all-Nicaraguan ligero tobaccos. The Oliva Cain Daytona is known for its smooth draw and flavors of coffee, cedar, and a touch of spice.
Oliva Connecticut Reserve: A milder offering from Oliva, the Connecticut Reserve features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. This cigar delivers creamy flavors of buttered toast, nuts, and a subtle spice, perfect for any time of day.
Oliva Master Blends 3: A top-shelf cigar showcasing a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers. The Oliva Master Blends 3 offers complex flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and sweet spices.
Oliva Serie V Melanio: Award-winning and highly rated, the Oliva Serie V Melanio features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. This cigar provides a rich, smooth experience with notes of leather, caramel, and pepper.
Oliva Serie V: Known for its full-bodied profile, the Oliva Serie V features a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Enjoy bold flavors of espresso, black pepper, and dark chocolate in this highly acclaimed cigar.
Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary Edicion Limitada: Celebrating Oliva's legacy, this limited edition features a Nicaraguan blend. The cigar offers a complex mix of spice, cedar, and coffee, with a rich, long finish.
Oliva Serie G: Featuring an African Cameroon wrapper, the Oliva Serie G delivers a medium-bodied experience. Enjoy flavors of cedar, coffee, and subtle spices in this well-constructed cigar.
Oliva Serie O: A Nicaraguan puro, the Oliva Serie O is known for its balanced medium-bodied profile. Expect flavors of cedar, earth, and a touch of sweetness, making it a versatile smoke.
Gilberto Oliva Reserva: Featuring an Indonesian Sumatra wrapper, the Gilberto Oliva Reserva offers medium-bodied flavors. Experience notes of cedar, earth, and a hint of spice in this well-crafted cigar.
Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc: Wrapped in an Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf, the Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc is a creamy, mild cigar. It offers flavors of toasted nuts, butter, and a smooth, silky finish.
Gilberto Oliva Reserva Noir: With a dark and rich Brazilian Maduro wrapper, the Gilberto Oliva Reserva Noir delivers robust flavors. Enjoy notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and sweet spices.
Nicaraguan Series by Oliva: Highlighting Nicaraguan tobaccos, this series provides a rich, full-bodied experience. Expect flavors of earth, pepper, and a touch of sweetness in each cigar.
Flor De Oliva Gold: A budget-friendly option, the Flor De Oliva Gold features a Connecticut Shade wrapper. This mild cigar offers creamy flavors of nuts, cedar, and a hint of sweetness.
Flor De Oliva Maduro: Wrapped in a dark, oily Maduro leaf, the Flor De Oliva Maduro provides a medium to full-bodied experience. Enjoy flavors of cocoa, earth, and a touch of spice.
Oliva Saison: Blended for a balanced medium-bodied profile, the Oliva Saison offers rich flavors of cedar, coffee, and a hint of sweetness. It’s crafted with a mix of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Ecuadorian tobaccos.
Oliva Saison Maduro: Featuring a dark Maduro wrapper, the Oliva Saison Maduro delivers a robust, full-bodied experience. Expect flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and a touch of spice.
Legacy and Leadership
Under the leadership of José Oliva, the family continued to expand their influence in both the cigar industry and beyond. José Oliva, who also embarked on a successful political career, played a crucial role in steering the company to new heights. In 2016, the Oliva Cigar Company was acquired by J. Cortès N.V., a family-owned business based in Belgium that specializes in machine-made cigars. Despite the acquisition, the Oliva family remains actively involved in the business, ensuring that the legacy of excellence continues.
At the tender age of 86, Gilberto Oliva Sr. passed away in December of 2017, leaving behind a rich legacy celebrated by the cigar community. His contributions to the world of premium cigars are tremendously missed, but his impact endures through the brand that bears his name.
Back in 2012, the all-Nicaraguan profile of Oliva Serie O earned a 94-point rating as well a ‘Top 25 Cigars of the Year’ ranking. Medium-bodied flavors of cedar, cashews, and cocoa present a tempered, but familiar signature of spices and smokiness. The cigar is also produced with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper in the 90-rated Oliva Serie O Maduro.
The company’s highly sought-after limited edition, Oliva Master Blends 3, is a 92-rated gem celebrated among the brand’s core audience and boutique connoisseurs alike. A luscious recipe of dark chocolate and brown sugar notes is both sweet and peppery courtesy of a glistening Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and a premium aged interior of select Nicaraguan tobaccos.
Oliva Connecticut Reserve appeals to lovers of milder cigars with an elegant Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and a creamier recipe of Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Nutty flavors of buttered toast and coffee with cream accompany balanced spices throughout an easy-going finish.
Oliva Serie G and Oliva Serie G Maduro deliver a medium-bodied, full-flavored profile in a Cameroon or Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, respectively. Tasting notes of cedar, leather, molasses, and dark cocoa feature prominently.
Notes of oak, earth, nutmeg, and a bit of cocoa characterize the 90-rated Oliva Gilberto Oliva Reserva with its caramel-hued wrapper leaf and a core of premium Nicaraguan long-fillers. The blend is named for the brand’s celebrated late patriarch Gilberto Oliva Sr. It is also produced with a golden-blond Ecuador Connecticut wrapper leaf in Oliva Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc. The Connecticut-seed varietal furnishes a nuttier taste with a silky finish.
There is no shortage of options to begin with when you’re exploring Oliva. A number of our most popular and fastest-selling samplers are produced by the brand. The Oliva 8-Cigar Assortment, Oliva Master Blends Monster Deal, and Oliva Serie V 5-Cigar Sampler represent an excellent introduction to one of Nicaragua’s premier premium cigar brands.
For those seeking to experience the complexities and richness of Nicaraguan tobaccos, Oliva Cigars remains a top choice. The brand's rich history, innovative blends, and unwavering commitment to quality ensure that Oliva Cigars will continue to be a major player in the world of premium handmade cigars for years to come.
