Oliva Serie V Senoritas 4 1/8″ x 31

From the Oliva family, the Oliva Serie V Senoritas is a sun grown-wrapped senorita, handmade in Nicaragua. The Oliva family’s tobacco roots reach back to 1880s Cuba; their Serie V Melanio was Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar of the Year in 2014.

It blends an Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler at a medium to full body, leading with cedar, black pepper, leather, and a toasty, sweet spice. At 4 1/8 by 31, the slim format pushes the wrapper forward and burns a touch faster.

A thin ring gauge puts more wrapper against less filler, so the wrapper does most of the talking. It is also slow work at the rolling table, which is why thin sizes disappear from a line first.

Pairs well with bourbon, espresso, or tawny port.