Oliva Serie V Double Toro Review
The Oliva Serie V Double Toro is one of those cigars I keep going back to — not out of habit, but because it keeps delivering. That oily, sun-grown Habano wrapper looks almost too good to light. At 6 × 60, it smokes slowly, letting the Jalapa ligero open up properly. Cigar Journal named it Finest Cigar of the Year in 2012. That honor still feels earned.
In short
A award-winning Nicaraguan smoke built on Jalapa ligero and a gleaming sun-grown wrapper — get a box of 24 for $221 while it's in stock.
Oliva Serie V Double Toro size, specs & box options
The Wrapper
This is a Nicaraguan sun-grown Habano — not an Ecuadorian leaf, and not a maduro. It's darker and oilier than most naturals I handle. The high-priming position means more sun exposure, more oils, more intensity. You can feel the tooth on it before you even clip the cap.
The Blend
Oliva loads this with specially fermented Jalapa Valley ligero alongside Estelí ligero in the filler. Both binder and filler are Nicaraguan. That's a lot of concentrated tobacco in one 60-ring format. The result is dark chocolate up front, espresso through the middle, and a cedar-and-pepper finish that doesn't let go.
The Accolades — and the Price
Cigar Journal's Finest Cigar of the Year 2012. That's not a small claim. I've smoked enough boxes of this to say the consistency backs it up — draw is rarely a problem, burn stays honest without constant touch-ups. A box of 24 runs $221 →, which works out to roughly nine dollars a stick. Hard to argue with that for a cigar at this level.
What does the Oliva Serie V Double Toro taste like?
Dark espresso, cedar, black pepper, dark chocolate, and a slow-building earthy sweetness across 75–90 minutes
Cedar and sharp pepper out of the gate
The cold draw gives me a clean, almost milky cedar note, but the minute I light up, black pepper kicks in hard at the back of the throat. There's a raw wood quality underneath — think freshly split oak, not furniture polish. It's a strong opening that tells you exactly what this cigar is.
Dark chocolate and espresso take over
Around the 30-minute mark the pepper softens and I start picking up a thick, bitter dark chocolate note — not sweet, more like 85% cacao. A double-shot espresso quality runs right alongside it, with just a hint of dried fig in the background. This is the richest stretch of the cigar and the reason I keep coming back to the Serie V.
Earth and leather, pepper returning
The chocolate fades and I'm left with a deep, loamy earth note and a dry leather quality that coats the palate. The Jalapa Valley ligero asserts itself here — pepper creeps back in, mild but noticeable. Strength picks up too; I set it down a centimeter or two from the nub.
A Nicaraguan Powerhouse That Earns Its Reputation
Scored across 5 dimensions from a full hands-on burn.
Is the Oliva Serie V Double Toro the best in its class?
Award-winning dark flavor profile
Cigar Journal's Finest Cigar of the Year 2012. The Jalapa Valley ligero and Ecuador sun-grown wrapper deliver a dense espresso-and-dark-chocolate core that holds steady through most of the smoke.
Long smoke, big ring — plan accordingly
At 6×60, this is a 75–90 minute cigar with a ring gauge that can feel unwieldy. Clear your afternoon and eat something first — the strength here is no joke, especially in the final third.
Try the Torpedo if you want sharper focus
The same Serie V blend in the 6×56 Torpedo (Cigar Aficionado's Best Cigar of the Year 2007) reads as more defined and precise. Worth comparing if the 60-ring feels like too much.
Serie V Double Toro vs. The Competition
How does the Serie V Double Toro stack up against similar full-strength Nicaraguans?
| Cigar | Size | Strength | Per box | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliva Serie V Double ToroThis review | Double Toro | Full | $221 | dark chocolate, espresso, cedar, roasted nuts, black pepper, earthy leather |
| Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro Figurado | Figurado · 52 ring | Full | $127 | The premium Melanio blend — pricier, box-pressed. Step up |
| Oliva Nub 466 Sun Grown | Nub · 66 ring | Medium-Full | $163 | Oliva’s stubby Nub if you want the flavor in less time. Shorter smoke |
vs. Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro (6x60)
The Padron is smoother and creamier — chocolate and coffee with almost no edge. The Oliva hits harder. More pepper, more raw Nicaraguan tobacco bite, and a drier finish. If you want comfort, go Padron. If you want intensity, stay here.
vs. Liga Privada No. 9 (6x60 Toro)
Liga Privada brings dark fruit and barnyard funk with a slightly softer profile. The Serie V is more linear — pepper and cedar from start to finish, no detours. Smokers who like a predictable, powerful ride usually prefer the Oliva. Liga fans like the complexity.
The pick: Oliva Serie V Double Toro if you want unapologetic Nicaraguan strength and a long, slow burn at a price that won't hurt. The 6x60 ring gauge mellows the intensity just enough to keep it drinkable for 75–90 minutes.
What to drink with the Oliva Serie V Double Toro
What to pour while you smoke
Aged Nicaraguan Rum (neat)
Flor de Caña 18-Year or Mombacho match the tobacco's earthy sweetness. The rum softens the pepper without burying it.
Cold Brew Coffee (black)
The low acidity and chocolate notes in cold brew play directly off the cedar and cocoa in the Serie V. No competition — pure harmony.
Barrel-Aged Stout
A bourbon-barrel stout — think Founders KBS — has enough body and roast to hold its own against a full-strength smoke this size.
When to Light One Up
This is a 90-minute cigar. It asks something of you — clear your schedule.
The Long Friday Night
Work week over, no alarm Saturday morning. Light this around 9 PM with a glass of something good and nowhere to be. 90 minutes of slow, deliberate smoking is the whole point — not a reward tacked on to something else.
A Milestone Worth Marking
Promotion, anniversary, a deal finally closed. The Double Toro is substantial enough to feel like a real occasion cigar — not just something you grabbed from the humidor. The long burn gives you time to actually sit with the moment.
A Quiet Backyard Evening Alone
Phone inside, no agenda. Just a good chair, the right lighter, and a cigar that demands your full attention for an hour and a half. The Serie V rewards patience — the final third is where it really opens up.
The bottom line on the Oliva Serie V Double Toro
This is one of the most consistent cigars Oliva makes, and the Double Toro size plays to the blend's strengths. Cigar Journal named it Finest Cigar of the Year in 2012 and, honestly, smoking one today I still get why. The Ecuador sun-grown wrapper keeps things bold but not chaotic — that espresso-and-dark-chocolate middle third is as good as it gets in this price range.
The 6×60 ring gauge is a real commitment and not for everyone. I have medium-size hands and the thing still feels like a lot to hold for 75–90 minutes. Some smokers find that a ring this wide dilutes the more nuanced flavors a narrower vitola delivers — and there's something to that. The Torpedo in this same blend is sharper and more focused if you want to taste the Serie V blend at its most precise.
If you like strong, dark Nicaraguan cigars and you have 90 minutes to yourself, the Serie V Double Toro earns every minute of your time. Buy a five-pack first before committing to a box — the strength level is real, and a first smoke on an empty stomach will knock you sideways.
Hand-reviewed and scored from a full burn — not AI-generated, not sponsored.
Oliva Serie V Double Toro FAQ
Is this the best Oliva cigar?
That depends on your taste. The Serie V Double Toro is one of their most consistent and widely praised lines. For raw Nicaraguan power at a fair price, many smokers put it at the top of the Oliva catalog. The Melanio edges it for complexity.
Oliva Serie V Double Toro vs Oliva Serie V Melanio — which is better?
The Melanio uses an Ecuadorian figured wrapper and smokes with more nuance — dried fruit, cream, controlled sweetness. The Double Toro is more aggressive: pepper-forward, drier, and less refined. Both are excellent. Your preference for subtlety or strength decides it.
Is it good for a long leisurely evening smoke?
Yes — this is exactly what it was made for. The 6x60 format slows the burn and cools the smoke. You get a full, deliberate experience rather than a rushed one. Plan for an open evening with a good drink and no interruptions.
How long does it take to smoke?
At a relaxed pace, expect 75 to 90 minutes. Smoke it slowly — the larger ring gauge rewards patience. Rush it and you'll overheat the tobacco. Give it time and the final third is where the cedar and spice really settle into something satisfying.
