Cigar:            Oliva Master Blend Robusto

Size:             50 x 5"

Wrapper:          Nic, natural

Binder:           Nic

Filler:           Nic

Flavor Body:      Medium

Strength:         Med-Full (?)

Origin:           Nic

Suspected Age:   

Vendor/Price:     Gift from J.P. Wilson ASC

Beverage(s):      Water, Quail Springs IPA (Deschutes Brewery)

Smoke time:       75 minutes

Date:             2004-06-15

Posted to ASC:    2004-06-16

Overall:    This was a great cigar.  Visually pleasing.  The flavors evolved throughout the smoke, the pepperiness waning, but the sweet, nutty finish waxing.  At the net prices I've seen, I'd buy a box, though I might try a toro size.  Thank you, J.P.!

Construction:     Beautiful cigar with an oily sheen, big, colorful band framing a brand on the wrapper.  Double cap.  One medium vein.  Cigar was a bit flattened, "front" to "back".

Prelight:   Mellow sweet earth aroma.  Cut well, the undercap split, but it was not a factor in the smoke.  Easy draw, on the loose side.  Very peppery and sweet on the lips and palate.

First third:      Lit okay.  Quite breezy so I struggled with the burn throughout, correcting a few times.  It never got way out of line.  Nice smoke volume.  Sweet, nutty finish, with mustiness in the foretaste.  The mustiness disappeared after the first 1/2".  After the first inch nicely sweet and nutty with pepper spice.  Ashed at 1.5". 

Second third:     Finish has lengthened and sweetened further.  Nuttiness and pepperiness continues.  Ashed again at 1.5"

Third third:      At about 2" long had to sip carefully and slowly to avoid hot smoke.  Let it rest a long time between puffs.  Rushing led to an ashy note.  Pepper waned, nuttiness and long sweet finish remained.  Got a good nicotine buzz.  Nubbed it to about an inch.