Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto is the showstopper of the Oliva portfolio — the Robusto expression of the blend whose Figurado was named Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2014 with a rare 96-point rating. Hand-crafted at Tabacalera Oliva in Estelí, it pairs a beautiful Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper with aged Nicaraguan ligero fillers, box-pressed for elegance. Medium-to-full-bodied, it delivers peppery notes of caramel and wood over a signature creaminess that sets the Melanio apart from the rest of the range. Named in honour of family patriarch Melanio Oliva, it is a top-shelf classic — rich, flawlessly built and beautifully aromatic.

Further reading: where Nicaraguan cigars come from - the 2026 TOR Tour | how cigars are made

About Oliva

Oliva is one of Nicaragua’s most celebrated cigar families, with a heritage stretching back to 1886, when Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Pinar del Río, Cuba. Three generations and two revolutions later, his descendants settled in Nicaragua, where the family became one of the country’s largest growers of Cuban-seed tobacco. From their Tabacalera Oliva in Estelí, they craft a portfolio that has appeared on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list nine times in a row — culminating in the Serie V Melanio being named Cigar of the Year in 2014, the first time the company took the top honour.

Tasting Notes of the Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto

A rich, creamy, medium-to-full box-pressed Robusto.

- Initial Third: Opens with a balance of spice and sweetness — caramel, nuts and a peppery edge, over a smooth, creamy base and a hint of cinnamon from the Sumatra wrapper.

- Middle Third: Develops leather, cedar and coffee, with dark fruit and toasted wood; the creaminess builds, integrating the pepper into a refined, complex core.

- Final Third: Deepens into espresso, cocoa and a lingering caramel sweetness, with a smooth, long, elegant finish.

- Aroma: Rich leather, coffee, caramel and sweet wood.

- Mouthfeel: Silky and creamy — a defining trait of the Melanio — with flawless construction and an even burn.

Sourced through TOR Imports, the UK distributor of Oliva cigars — your assurance that these cigars reached the UK through the authorised channel and arrived in optimum condition.

Free UK delivery for purchases over £50.

Explore more Oliva: Serie V Melanio Maduro Torpedo | Serie V Belicoso | Oliva Collection

Fun Facts About the Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto

The Serie V Melanio Figurado was named Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2014 with a 96-point rating — the first time Oliva took the top honour, after appearing on the Top 25 nine years running.

The Melanio is distinguished from the original Serie V by its Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper, which adds a distinctive creaminess and a hint of cinnamon — the trait most fans point to as setting it apart.

It’s named after Melanio Oliva, the first man in the family to grow cigar tobacco, back in 1886 in Cuba — so the brand’s finest cigar honours the person who started it all.

FAQ About the Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto

Why is the Serie V Melanio so highly rated?
Its Figurado was named Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2014 with a 96-point score, praised for its rich flavour, flawless construction and signature creaminess. The Robusto delivers that same blend in a more everyday format.

How is it different from the standard Serie V?
The Melanio uses an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper (versus the original’s Habano Sun Grown), giving extra creaminess and a hint of cinnamon — a more refined evolution of the full-bodied Serie V.

Is it a strong cigar?
Medium-to-full — flavourful and rich, but famously smooth and creamy, which makes it more approachable than its strength suggests.

Where are your Oliva cigars sourced from?
Through TOR Imports, the UK distributor.