Oliva Serie O Double Toro Cigar - 1 Single

It was late and it had been a long drive down to the Pyrenees to our lodge deep in the mountains. After getting the fire going, our ever faithful Esse wood burner and cooker combined ( the make was used by Shackleton on his Arctic expedition) checking the gas and generator for our lighting we wandered down the mountain through the pines to the village of Prades to eat. Unlike the U.K. the French are civilized and one can eat superb food and then retire to the bar, have a drink and smoke. A polite enquiry to other guest if they objected to by smoking a cigar, which drew gentle chuckles, I lit the Olivia. This is a true cigar, a fine cigar. The band is old school, elegant in its simplicity. It states " I am style, I have heritage". My French friend dining with us on seeing the Olivia said " mon dieu" and gently shook his hand. His wife watched and took in the smoke as it drifted across the bar, it had a woody, mocha scent, with a touch of paprika, the taste blending well with the neat Pastise 51 on ice. We were after all in southern France, it wouldn't do to drink Ricard! As the Olivia burnt evenly down, there was little change in its full flavour, with a slight increase in peppery texture. Like all 60 gauge cigars, the Olivia is a delight to hold, easy to draw on. It gave a leisurely hours smoking. Now here's the kicker:- is it as good as a Brickhouse Mighty Mighty? For me? No. For me, it lacks that rich full aromatic smoke, the smooth texture, that incredible BMM range of flavours. Then of course it's also more expensive. The Oliva is a superb cigar, not for the novice, wonderfully filled, beautifully wrapped....but my choice is in another camp, the BMM still has it for me.