Oliva

Oliva is one of the most respected Nicaraguan brands, run by the Oliva family with a growing history dating back to 1886. The brand itself was founded in 1995 and quickly rose to the very top. Its pinnacle is the Serie V Melanio, a repeat holder of Cigar of the Year.

Origins

The Oliva family first grew tobacco in Cuba, sought new homes after the revolution and finally settled in Nicaragua. Generations of growers gave the brand a deep knowledge of the leaf it still builds on.

History

After its founding in 1995, Oliva broke through with the Serie O, Serie G and above all the Serie V, which made it a critics’ darling. In 2016 the brand was bought by the Belgian company J. Cortès, but production and family know-how stayed in Nicaragua.

How & where it’s made

Oliva is made in Estelí mostly from Nicaraguan tobacco, much of it grown by the family itself. The flagship Melanio boasts an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and an exceptionally balanced blend.

Style

On the palate Oliva is medium-full to full, with elegant notes of cocoa, espresso, cedar and sweet spice. It is a brand that marries strength with finesse — which is why connoisseurs love it.

Did you know

The Serie V Melanio was named Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado in 2014 — one of the highest honours in the industry. Melanio is named after the founder of the family’s tobacco line.