Cigar Photography

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Posts Tagged jose oliva

Studio Tobac Exclusive Collection

Dec 13

Posted by admin in Studio Tobac Exclusive Collection | 6 Comments

This week we are photographing, not reviewing, the latest project from Studio Tobac’s stable – ‘Exclusive Collection.’ I was gifted this sampler by Ian Hummel – Oliva’s Regional Sales Manager couple weeks ago at the Big Smoke in NYC. The concept of the Exclusive Collection was born during Studio Tobac’s Executive Board meeting at the IPCPR. There were 500 boxes made. The Exclusive Collection is shipping now and will be offered to the top Studio Tobac retailers in the US – $120 per box MSPR. The box itself contains 9 cigars: 4 x Cain F lancero, 4 x Cain Daytona lancero, 1 x Culebra.



Cain Daytona lancero (* Nicarguan Cigar of the Year by the European Cigar Journal)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Jalapa ligero
Length: 7″
Ring: 38

Cain F lancero
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 7″
Ring: 38

Culebra – a special, custom blend exclusive to the Collection.



Please consider the following post:
* Oliva Cain F lancero
* Studio Tobac Tour

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

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Oliva Serie V Maduro 2011 – prerelease

Sep 1

Posted by admin in Oliva Serie V Maduro 2011 - prerelease | 11 Comments 

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

This week we are smoking and photographing Oliva Serie V Maduro 2011 prerelease courtesy of Ian Hummel – Oliva’s Regional Sales Manager. We have seen an annual release of Oliva Serie V since 2008 with slightly different torpedo size, then in 2010 with different wrapper and for 2011, we have a brand new vitola – a Toro ! I used to enjoy belicoso / torpedo shape but nowadays I gravitate more toward parejo shape cigars. Having much appreciation for Oliva Serie V Maduro, especially 2008 release, I was looking forward to this new release after learning of the new vitola. Since this is a prerelease, I have reached out to Ian with Why / What / When questions.

There has been an overwhelming request for a new size in the V Maduro. This year we are giving the customers what they want. The toro size was chosen because it still keeps the full bodiedness of the V, but the blending tweak into a 6×50 toro really helped the wrapper and filler ratio shine. It maintains a full bodied flavor, with a rich, chocolate flavor from the San Andreas Maduro wrapper. Serie V Maduro 2011 should be available ~October / November timeframe. Price point hasn’t been established yet. – Ian Hummel



On the outside, although a bit toothy as expected from the Mexican wrapper, one is welcomed to pristine, oily, well constructed with no visible veins nor seams cigar. I only hope that regular production will carry the same construction quality. Smell of barnyard off the wrapper. After clipping the cap, slightly misleading tight finish only to be transformed into perfectly flowing draw with time. Pleasing blast of spice immediately out of the gate. Earthy tones in the first third supplemented with chocolate and tiny hints of sweetness. Second & third screamed dark chocolate turning at times into an espresso flavors. Spice definitely cooled off toward the end of the cigar. The initial burn was near perfection however there was some waviness toward the end. Nothing major though ! Ash – tight, falling off in ~1″ chunks. If you enjoy noticeable and pleasant aroma, this cigar is a winner.


Did I enjoy Oliva Serie V Maduro 2011 ? Absolutely. Do I recommend a box purchase ? Personally, yes. Do I think vitola change made a difference ? I believe so ! I will take 2011 over 2010 any day. Sounds and looks like Studio Tobac with Bryan Scholle is in full force. Innovation is boiling in that team and I would like for them to experiment with V Maduros a bit more. Perhaps V Maduro 2008 in Corona Gorda ? (* hint, hint).


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: San Andreas Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring: 50

Construction > Great
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Absolutely !
Recommend > Absolutely !
Buy > Yes


Please consider the following post:
* Oliva Serie V No4

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Oliva Cain F lancero

Jul 29

Posted by admin in Oliva Cain F lancero | 5 Comments 

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

This week we are photographing and reviewing one of my favorite vitolas and always enjoyable brand – Oliva Cain F lancero. In May of 2011, I attended a local Studio Tobac event with the Ambassador himself – Bryan ‘The Show’ Scholle and Dave Wagner – Oliva’s VP of Sales in attendance. Both were extremely generous with different Studio Tobac projects and I was able to walk away with few samples of Oliva Cain F lancero and some. I smoked my first sample couple weeks after the event and second for this review. Both experiences were similar with latter being more enjoyable and ‘refined.’


The construction of the cigar was close to perfect. From visual perspective, carefully applied cap, toothy-free wrapper, no visible veins nor seams gave this lancero high marks right out of the gate. After clipping and lighting it, I was introduced to a perfect draw. Considering difficulty of lancero format, another plus ! In flavor department, wow … if you enjoy spice and pepper, this is your ultimate ‘poison.’ From the very first to the very last puff, overwhelming, in a good way, amount of spice. There were some notes of woodiness and small bits of floral taste toward the end but i can not stress enough the amount of spice. Burn was perfect and did not need any touchups – another extra plus. Ash, which was extremely light in color, was fairly tight and would fall down in 1.5″ chunks.


The last few and frequent puffs to get the last photograph made me realize that this cigar was not only shining with the spice but it was also packing major strength, at least in my case. I will definitely include Oliva Cain F lancero in my rotation and if you enjoy spicy / full strength cigars, consider a box purchase.


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 7″
Ring: 38

Construction > Great
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Box worthy !


Please consider the following post:
* Studio Tobac Tour
* Oliva Master Blends 1
* Oliva Serie V No4

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Oliva Master Blends 1

Jun 30

Posted by admin in Oliva Master Blends 1 | 10 Comments 

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

This week we are reviewing another one of those ‘hard to find’ cigars – Oliva Master Blends in churchill size. This gem came and went many moons ago but I was able to purchase a five pack back in JAN2011 for $50 back. Every time I smoke Oliva Master Blends 3, there is at least one fellow smoker who will ask the same question “Did you ever try MB1 ?” Six months later I decided to pull them out and give them a try. I’m glad I did.


As stated in my Oliva Serie V No4 review, I have a soft spot when it comes to Oliva cigars but the original Master Blends, in my personal opinion, is the creme of the crop, full stop. Cigar’s construction was close to flawless. No visible seams with one not too obtrusive vein. After snipping carefully applied cap, I was introduced to perfect draw. Not too loose, not too tight, just how the doctor prescribed. Right off the bet, insane amount of smoke that made my photography session that much more enjoyable. Burn line was excellent with zero touch-ups throughout churchill 1:45min experience. Ash was nice and tight and would detach in 1.5″ chunks. In flavor department, this cigar shined like Chicago’s bean on a sunny day – that good ! Cigar kicked off with noticeable sweetness on the tip and subsequently turned into enjoyable nuttiness, chocolate and well balanced spice. Core flavors were present throughout the entire experience with chocolate turning into dark / bitter, but still enjoyable, chocolate. Interestingly enough, the amount of chocolate / sweetness reminded me of Cohiba Genios review. Whether that is another compliment or not, you be the judge.


Clearly, an enjoyable experience. I’m confident to take this even further and say that this is one of the best cigars I have smoked in 2011 and probably in my Top5 of cigars I have EVER smoked. I was trying to impress Dave Wagner – Oliva’s VP of Sales at a local Studio Tobac event with my Oliva Master Blends possession only to be told that Oliva has a substantial MB 1 /2  cushion. So much for my 5pack collection :). I have been told about ongoing Oliva Master Blends 1 / 2 resurrection plans. Let’s hope those come to fruition. When so, make sure you track a box, if not more.


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 7″
Ring: 50

Construction > Great
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Absolutely !
Recommend > Absolutely !
Buy > Boxes !


Please consider the following post:
* Oliva Serie V No4
* Studio Tobac Tour

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Oliva Serie V No4

May 24

Posted by admin in Oliva Serie V No4 | 7 Comments 

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After last week’s Studio Tobac Tour photoshoot, we are continuing with Oliva bandwagon and bringing a limited production – Olive Serie V No4. This specimen is unfortunately limited to the European market and US B&M cigar shops which are part of The Tobacconists’ Association of America – a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. Future and broader availability of this size was one of the topics I discussed with Dave Wagner – Oliva’s VP of Sales. Although I wasn’t able to nail this one down, I walked away from this conversation with a feeling that availability is certainly not out of the question. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.


I have a soft spot when it comes to Oliva cigars. I have smoked through tons of Os, Gs, Vs and Connecticut but my favorite has to be 2008 Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial. Clearly, V No4 had a high expectation. Thankfully it didn’t disappoint. The format of the cigar was simply brilliant. If you are in a pinch and in need of a quick smoke, this slightly thicker Petite Corona is a godsend. In flavor department, as one would expect from Serie V, we are talking about spice, woodiness, and nuttiness mixed with some chocolaty hints. From ash/burn perspective, more accolades. Light grey ash with relatively sharp burn line.


I was able to lay my hands on few samples few weeks ago due to generosity of a fellow cigar smoker. Fortunately I was able to track down a box of Oliva Serie V No4 this week and I’m happy to say that it is in route as I type this review. If you can locate a TAA shop in your neighborhood, give them a call. You will not be disappointed. My fellow cigar smokers – Walt from StogieReview and Steve from SmokingStogie were as equally pleased as I was.


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring: 43


Construction > Great
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Absolutely !
Recommend > Absolutely !
Buy > Box Worthy !

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