Oliva Serie V Double Robusto Review

Some cigars just fit a moment, and that’s exactly how this Oliva Serie V Double Robusto review came about. I had just wrapped up round three of shoveling snow after a couple of days of getting dumped on, hands cold with a hot cup of coffee in hand. For broader context on the brand, see Wikipedia, which covers the family's Cuban tobacco lineage and current Nicaraguan production at TABOLISA in Estelí (now owned by J. Cortès).

Normally, after a morning like that, I’d reach for something lighter. But for some reason, this Oliva Serie V Double Robusto was the stick that called my name. I’ve always enjoyed the Oliva Serie V line, especially the Serie V Melanio, but I hadn’t done a proper cigar review on the standard Serie V yet.

So, this felt like the right time. What I got was a bold, flavorful, medium to full-bodied cigar that ended up being one of the most satisfying cold-weather smokes I’ve had in a while.

Cigar Details: Oliva Serie V Double Robusto

Profile: Medium–Full Bodied

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Sun Grown

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero (Nicaragua filler)

Factory: Oliva Factory, Estelí Nicaragua

Sizes Available: Diadema (Figurado 5.8 x 46), Toro (6 x 54), Double Robusto (5 x 54), Double Toro (Gordo 6 x 60), Torpedo (6 x 56), Special V Figurado (6 x 60)

Notable Feature: High-priming ligero blend = bold strength

Flavor Highlights: Coffee, black pepper, baking spice, leather, chocolate

Price Point: Around $11 per cigar and closer to $10 when bought in boxes of 24

Brand Background: The Oliva Family & Serie V Line

To understand the Oliva Serie V, you'll have to first look at the Oliva family history. The Oliva family story runs deep in tobacco, long before Oliva cigars became a name every humidor recognizes, with the family deeply tied to tobacco growing long before becoming a major name in the cigar business. Gilberto Oliva played a key role in moving operations to Nicaragua, which is now the heart of their production.

The Serie V line launched as Oliva’s bolder, more strength-forward offering, built around high-priming ligero leaves. Compared to the smoother, more refined Oliva Serie V Melanio, the standard Serie V Double Robusto feels more raw, more punchy, and more about power and spice. It’s a flagship Oliva Serie V cigar that helped define the brand’s place in the modern cigar world.

Cold Draw & First Impressions

Before lighting, the wrapper on this Serie V Double Robusto is flirting with perfection. It's dark, oily, firm in the hand, and the construction is ten out of ten, totally beautiful.

The aroma off the foot shows up right away with cedar, wood, and a bit of sweet tobacco. On the cold draw, I picked up light cocoa and spice, with the draw already feeling open and promising. 

Construction looked clean right out of the humidor, and nothing about this cigar gave me any expectation of burn issues.

First Third: Oliva Serie V Double Robusto Begins

Right away, this cigar begins with a punch of black pepper and strong coffee. The coffee notes are front and center, backed by baking spice and a dry cedar backbone. The smoke output is thick, and every puff feels dense and flavorful.

At this point, the Oliva Serie V Double Robusto is already sitting firmly in the medium-full category. It’s bold, but not harsh. The flavors are sharp and defined, and the flavor profile leans heavily into spice and coffee without feeling messy on the palate.

Second Third: More Earth, More Body

As I moved into the second third, things deepened. This is where I noticed more earth and leather joining the mix. The pepper calms slightly, and the cigar shows more complexity. The Oliva Serie V blend starts to feel more layered, with coffee, cedar, and rich tobacco notes working together in a balanced combination.

The body builds just a bit here, and the smoke stays cool. No bitterness, no harshness, just a steady, flavorful progression.

Final Third: Where the Power Shows

In the final third, the strength makes itself known. The leather becomes more pronounced, and I get dark chocolate and espresso tones riding alongside the spice. The taste stays bold and defined, and the nicotine is noticeable here, especially on a morning smoke, but it never crosses into uncomfortable territory.

The finish is long, bold, and incredibly enjoyable. Smoking time on this one landed right around an hour, which felt just right for a slow, steady morning smoke. It's obvious where the reputation of the Serie V Double Robusto comes from. 

Construction, Draw & Burn Performance

Performance on this stick from Oliva Cigars was about as good as you can expect. The construction was solid from start to finish. The burn line stayed straight, the ash stacked nicely, and I had a flawless burn with zero touch-ups. This review applies the same construction-burn-flavor framework formalized in Halfwheel, where 'every review on halfwheel is given a final score using the same formula' separating appearance, construction, strength, body, flavor, and finish as independent dimensions.

The draw was ideal, not tight, not loose. Every puff delivered thick, flavorful smoke, which made this a great smoke from a performance standpoint.

Price & Value of the Oliva Serie V Double Robusto

For what this cigar delivers, the value is strong. The Oliva Serie V Double Robusto competes with other cigars that cost significantly more. When you consider the construction, flavor, and consistency, it’s easy to justify grabbing a box to keep in the humidor.

Is the Oliva Serie V Double Robusto Worth It?

Absolutely, if you enjoy medium-full to full-flavored cigars.  This might not be the best beginner cigar, but for someone who likes bold coffee, spice, and leather notes, it’s an enjoyable, flavorful experience. For me, this was the perfect post-work, cold-weather smoke.

Ratings Breakdown

(Comparable to a 91–92 cigar score)

A bold, slow-burning Nicaraguan-focused blend wrapped in Ecuadorian Habano Sun Grown leaf, layering coffee, black pepper, leather, and dark chocolate over a medium-full body.

Where to Buy Oliva Serie V Cigars Online

The Oliva Serie V is easy to find, but finding well-stored, fresh sticks is what really matters. At After Action Cigars, we focus on cigars that fit real-life moments, the kind you light up after getting something done. The Oliva Serie V Double Robusto is exactly that kind of cigar: bold, satisfying, and built for when you want a cigar that actually shows up.

You can find a full selection of Oliva Cigars for sale online, all properly stored and shipped straight to your door.