AshMap
Overview
The Melanio Figurado is not a cigar that announces itself. It insinuates. The tapered head meets the lips with a precision that feels less like a smoke and more like an instrument being tuned — the cold draw pulling cedar, dark cocoa, and a ghost of dried fig through a bore that is neither tight nor loose, but exact. This is the rare figurado where the shape is not a flourish but a function; the narrowing cone focuses the smoke like a lens, concentrating every note into a beam that hits the palate with intent. From the first puff, there is a pronounced white pepper that snaps across the retrohale, sharp and electric, while espresso and roasted almond settle underneath — a duality of aggression and composure that defines the opening act.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Sun-Grown Sumatra — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan (Jalapa) |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-filler blend sourced from Jalapa and Estelí valleys, aged a minimum of five years |
| Country of Origin | Jalapa, Nicaragua — Fábrica de Tabacos Oliva S.A. |
| Vitola / Shape | Figurado (Torpedo) |
| Size | 6.5 x 52 |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $22–$28 per cigar |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum five years of filler aging; additional box aging recommended — six to twelve months post-purchase yields notable |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with cedar, dark cocoa, and a hint of dried fig. Once lit, the first third delivers a pronounced wave of white pepper on the retrohale alongside espresso and roasted almond. Construction is immediately apparent — the taper provides a focused, concentrated draw that amplifies the complexity from the first puff.
Second Third
Pepper recedes and the cigar transitions into its most expressive phase — dark chocolate, leather, toasted oak, and a subtle dried cherry note emerge. A gentle sweetness from the Ecuadorian wrapper begins to integrate with the Nicaraguan core, creating a layered harmony that rewards slow smoking. Creaminess develops through the midpoint.
Final Third
The final third tightens in intensity — dark roast coffee, bittersweet cocoa nibs, and seasoned leather dominate. A subtle earthiness and a return of black pepper provide structure without harshness. The figurado shape concentrates every flavor into the final inches; this cigar finishes long, complex, and clean well past the band.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is benchmark-level — the figurado taper produces an ideal draw resistance, the burn is even and self-correcting, and the ash is firm and salt-and-pepper in color, holding one to two inches without issue. One of the most consistently well-constructed figurados in the premium market.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum is the classic match — Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. Alternatively, a high-rye bourbon such as Woodford Reserve Double Oaked or a 15-year Speyside Scotch (Glenfarclas 15) complements the chocolate and leather notes beautifully.
Wine
A full-bodied Malbec from Mendoza (Zuccardi Valle de Uco) or a Priorat Garnacha — wines with dark fruit, tobacco, and earthy minerality that mirror the cigar's mid-profile rather than fighting it.
Non-Alcoholic
Double espresso — ideally a ristretto shot from a dark-roast single origin Ethiopian or Sumatran bean, or a cold brew concentrate over ice to parallel the cigar's cocoa and roasted almond profile.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has already chased the blend across its parejo iterations — the Toro, the Churchill — and found them good, but slightly diffuse, like a photograph taken a step too far back. You are someone who has learned to read a cigar's construction before the flame touches the foot, who appreciates that a triple cap is not a luxury but a necessity. You are settling into a leather chair on a cool October evening, a glass of Zacapa 23 within reach, with ninety minutes of uninterrupted quiet ahead. You have smoked enough to know that strength is not volume, and you want a cigar that will demand your attention without demanding your surrender. This will give you that — a slow, deliberate conversation with a blend that rewards patience and punishes haste.
Bottom Line
The Melanio Figurado is the definitive expression of the Serie V blend — a cigar that justifies its cult status through sheer construction and a flavor arc that builds, resolves, and lingers. If you smoke one Oliva in your life, make it this. It is not just a great Nicaraguan; it is a benchmark for what a figurado can achieve.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Oliva Serie V cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Full (4/5) on our strength scale. Physically, this means a noticeable nicotine presence that builds gradually from the first third — a warmth in the chest and a slight buzz by the midpoint — but it is never harsh or overpowering. The strength is balanced by the aged filler's smoothness, making it a full-bodied experience that remains approachable for experienced smokers.
What does Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado taste like?
The flavor progression is distinct: the first third delivers white pepper on the retrohale, espresso, and roasted almond. The second third shifts to dark chocolate, leather, toasted oak, and a subtle dried cherry sweetness. The final third tightens into dark roast coffee, bittersweet cocoa nibs, and seasoned leather, with a return of black pepper that provides structure without harshness.
How long does Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado take to smoke?
Expect a 90 to 100 minute smoking session. The Figurado (Torpedo) vitola at 6.5 x 52, combined with the dense Nicaraguan filler and the tapered head that concentrates the draw, naturally slows the burn rate. This is not a cigar to rush; plan for a full evening commitment.
What is the best pairing for Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado?
Aged rum is the classic match — Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. The rum's inherent sweetness and oak notes mirror the cigar's dark chocolate and leather profile, while its viscosity coats the palate in a way that complements the creamy texture of the second third. For a non-alcoholic option, a ristretto shot of dark-roast Ethiopian or Sumatran single-origin espresso parallels the cocoa and roasted almond notes without overwhelming them.
Is Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. The Full strength rating can be overwhelming for a palate not yet accustomed to high nicotine levels, and the $22–$28 price point is a significant investment for a smoke that requires patience to appreciate. Beginners should start with milder, more affordable cigars to build their palate and nicotine tolerance before approaching this blend.
Where can I buy Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado?
This is a prestige-tier cigar, so it is best purchased from a reputable brick-and-mortar tobacconist that specializes in premium cigars, where you can inspect the wrapper and construction before buying. It is also available from established online retailers like Cigar Aficionado's trusted partners, Neptune Cigars, or Famous Smoke Shop, which often offer single-stick purchases or boxes of 10 and 23.
What is the price of Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado?
The retail price ranges from $22 to $28 per cigar, depending on your local market and taxes. Boxes of 10 typically run between $220 and $280, while the 23-count box offers a slight per-stick discount. Given its No. 1 ranking in 2015 and consistent demand, this price point is justified by the aged filler and hand-rolled figurado construction.
Is Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado worth aging?
Yes, absolutely. The filler is already aged a minimum of five years, but an additional six to twelve months of box aging post-purchase yields notable improvements — the white pepper in the first third softens into a more integrated spice, and the dried cherry sweetness in the second third deepens into a richer, more pronounced fruit note. The Ecuadorian Sun-Grown Sumatra wrapper also benefits from rest, allowing its natural oils to further meld with the Nicaraguan core.
What wrapper does Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Sun-Grown Sumatra wrapper in a Colorado Maduro shade. This wrapper is significant because it contributes a rich mahogany color with a silky sheen, and its sun-grown nature imparts a subtle natural sweetness and a touch of spice that complements the darker Nicaraguan filler notes. It is a key component in the cigar's signature balance of sweetness and strength.
Where is Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado made?
It is made at the Fábrica de Tabacos Oliva S.A. in Jalapa, Nicaragua. This factory is the Oliva family's flagship production facility, and it is here that the hand-rolled figurado with its traditional Cuban-style taper and triple-cap construction is crafted. The use of Jalapa and Estelí valley fillers, combined with the Jalapa binder, makes this a true Nicaraguan puro in both origin and execution.