According to Halfwheel, in 2014 Oliva Cigar Co. began to offer a 6 x 60 size of its Melanio line in Europe. The release was limited to 500 boxes, but shortly after an announcement came that the size was heading to the U.S. and would become a regular production item, which is now scheduled for next month.
The Melanio line debuted at the 2012 IPCPR trade show and convention as Oliva’s most premium line since the Special S, a different take on the popular Serie V blend, most notably in wrapper in shape. While the original Serie V uses a Jalapa-based wrapper on a round cigar, the Melanio receives a heavy rectangular-press and an Ecuadorian sumatra wrapper.
It is named after Melanio Oliva, the man the family traces their tobacco-growing roots to, all the way back to Pinar Del Río, Cuba in 1886. Melanio is the grandfather of the company’s patriarch, Gilberto Oliva.
With the addition of the Double Toro, there are now eight commercially available sizes of the Melanio, along with one limited edition.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
First third: Starting with maple syrup and toffee sweetness, after 5 puffs the sweetness turns into a background note. Buttery smoke texture with some earthy notes that tingle your nose. Peanuts and coffee notes also emerge, though dominated by the sweetness.
Second third: The flavor remains the same, resembling a caramel lollipop that has fallen on the ground; you don't want to waste it, so you keep eating it. It's an interesting combination but becomes a little bit boring because the flavor doesn't change much.
Last third: Smoking it past the second band, only the earthy flavor remains and it becomes a little bit bitter.
