If you are like me, you seem to have a new favorite cigar every month.  No matter my favorite at the time, I do tend to have that mainstay list of five or so brands that I just find myself always reaching for.  This month, I am deviating away from my “flavor of the week” picks to a mainstay in my rotation and a long time favorite, Oliva Serie V.  This cigar debuted in 2007 (to much acclaim with a 94 rating from Cigar Aficionado and the No. 4 spot on their annual Top 25 list that year) and in my humble opinion was a pioneer blend setting the standard today for what a full bodied cigar should really be all about.  Unlike the full bodied selections of the day which were crafted with the sole purpose of blowing your face off, Oliva brought the horse power with V but with a refined elegance and balance a true connoisseur can appreciate.  The secret to the sauce in this blend is the slow, patient and lengthy fermentation that the ligero fillers undergo which takes out all the bite and leaves all the flavor and goodness in a thick and creamy smoke presentation that still delivers just the right shot to your gut reminding you that it is still as strong as it is flavorful.  Forget about notes of “this” and nuances of “that”, this cigar is 100% good old fashioned tasty tobacco that envelopes the palate completely and leaves a long finish.

In this industry, so often it is all about the next best thing. On the contrary, I enjoy classic blends that have stood the test of time, and few have maintained a loyal following quite like Serie R. This Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapped beauty from La Gloria Cubana is bold and rich, yet refined and smooth. It’s time to take a much closer look at Serie R.