Touring The Factory And Fields Of Oliva

[El Presidente]

Good article with some beautiful pictures. 

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/touring-the-factory-and-fields-of-oliva-cigar-co

 

[riderpride]

You got me excited.  Thought you were planning a trip to Nica.

Cheers

[Squarehead]

Rob,which one did you buy the CA or Oliva?

[TroutBum]

Love the entire Melanio line hope they don’t screw the blend up during their expansion 

[SCgarman]

They don't appear to have a roller shortage like the pics of the rolling rooms in Havana. Cuba dysfunction seems to be isolated unto itself. Unless the image was "staged", which I highly doubt. It appears more non-Cuban cigars will appear into my rotation, as the box of Illusione Epernay I recently bought are a very formidable cigar. All for a whole $205/box. Can't even touch a new box of Monte4 for anywhere close to that price now. Screw 'em, LOL.

[ha_banos]

I thought I was reading on this very forum that large numbers of Cuban rollers have left and gone to central Americas as well as Florida.

"Right on the PanAmerican highway, the new Las Mesitas facility is used to process, ferment and store tobacco. The large, beautifully landscaped building is 180,000 square feet." And not built out of recycled wood. The investment is real and needed.

Be interesting to follow the premium cigar story over the next few years. Happy smoking folks.

[Cigar Surgeon]

2 hours ago, SCgarman said:

They don't appear to have a roller shortage like the pics of the rolling rooms in Havana. Cuba dysfunction seems to be isolated unto itself. Unless the image was "staged", which I highly doubt. It appears more non-Cuban cigars will appear into my rotation, as the box of Illusione Epernay I recently bought are a very formidable cigar. All for a whole $205/box. Can't even touch a new box of Monte4 for anywhere close to that price now. Screw 'em, LOL.

Have visited Oliva Cigar Co. factory and had a long conversation regarding QC.  They're among the top factories in terms of QC and QC processes. The majority of NC factories are focused on producing a consistent cigar that passes quality control because they understand that one poor experience with a consumer could potentially put them off their brand entirely.

[Capn_Jackson]

4 hours ago, SCgarman said:

They don't appear to have a roller shortage like the pics of the rolling rooms in Havana. Cuba dysfunction seems to be isolated unto itself. Unless the image was "staged", which I highly doubt. It appears more non-Cuban cigars will appear into my rotation, as the box of Illusione Epernay I recently bought are a very formidable cigar. All for a whole $205/box. Can't even touch a new box of Monte4 for anywhere close to that price now. Screw 'em, LOL.

I need to try the Epernays. I have a fiver of Epernay Le Grande coming, as well as some Haut 10 Toros and Flame d’Amour viejos.

[Ford2112]

Illusione Epernay are a very good cigar. 

 

[Capn_Jackson]

Sorry to divert the thread to Illusione, I know that is bad form.

I’ve heard great things about Oliva’s production and business since moving to Nica. When I make it to Nicaragua someday, Oliva will be on my list of places to visit. That said, I hate to admit it, but I’ve not been a big fan of Oliva’s cigars in general. I did enjoy last year’s release of EP Carillo Allegiance, which used Oliva’s factory. Not a Carillo cigar fan either, but the Allegiance was a good change of pace. I can appreciate the businesses, very much, even if I don’t particularly enjoy their product myself.

[Ford2112]

Melanio cigars need time down IMO. The ones I have let rest have been night and day. At least 6 months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KCCubano]

On 1/27/2023 at 5:35 AM, Ford2112 said:

Melanio cigars need time down IMO. The ones I have let rest have been night and day. At least 6 months.

Yes - one of my cigar buddies bought Melanio Robusto and said same few weeks ago.

[SCgarman]

2 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Have visited Oliva Cigar Co. factory and had a long conversation regarding QC.  They're among the top factories in terms of QC and QC processes. The majority of NC factories are focused on producing a consistent cigar that passes quality control because they understand that one poor experience with a consumer could potentially put them off their brand entirely.

QC that is actually real QC. Habanos has become so arrogant, they know all their cigars will sell, QC or not. 

[Corylax18]

10 minutes ago, SCgarman said:

QC that is actually real QC. Habanos has become so arrogant, they know all their cigars will sell, QC or not. 

It appears they're trying to work themselves out of the cigar business all together. Each new release is less about the cigars and more about the "collectability" and "exclusivity" of the unique format packaging. 

Your cigars don't appreciate in value if you smoke them, so more and more buyers today dont buy to smoke. For that buyer, there could be wood dowels wrapped in a perfect wrapper leaf, they'll never find out. 

[SCgarman]

1 hour ago, Corylax18 said:

It appears they're trying to work themselves out of the cigar business all together. Each new release is less about the cigars and more about the "collectability" and "exclusivity" of the unique format packaging. 

Your cigars don't appreciate in value if you smoke them, so more and more buyers today dont buy to smoke. For that buyer, there could be wood dowels wrapped in a perfect wrapper leaf, they'll never find out. 

There are so many parallels here it's not even funny. Buying cigars not to smoke. Buying a Rolex or Patek watch not to wear. Buying a 1959 Les Paul reissue not to play. Buying a classic muscle car not to drive. Silly people!

p.s. My wife and teenage daughter don't smoke cigars, nor will they ever. What I don't smoke up until the time I drop dead will likely be tossed into the trash bin. FWIW

[Ford2112]

On 1/27/2023 at 8:11 AM, SCgarman said:

p.s. My wife and teenage daughter don't smoke cigars, nor will they ever. What I don't smoke up until the time I drop dead will likely be tossed into the trash bin. FWIW

I can pm you my address? 🙏 

[helix]

I have been hearing loud discourse among my cigar friends as of late with CC's. Now with obscene pricing Cuban QC is at the forefront . Folks are are fed up with the defective sticks in almost every box of Cubans they buy. Many not willing to risk it anymore and are seeking out NC's . Seems an easy transition to quality NC's for most and another road to explore. 

This is a small snapshot but as mentioned the start of a larger trend .

[DikkeSigaar]

To be fair, I genuinely think that in recent years (last 2/3) construction of Cuban cigars is on par or better than your average NC. Might depend on preferences too, but I have experienced things like tunneling, canoeing and such much more with the average NC than with the average Cuban. Ash holds much better too.

Oliva construction is much better than average NC construction too though.

[helix]

On 1/28/2023 at 3:30 AM, DikkeSigaar said:

To be fair, I genuinely think that in recent years (last 2/3) construction of Cuban cigars is on par or better than your average NC

My experience has found the opposite with quality NCs. Not sure what average would be.

[KCCubano]

56 minutes ago, helix said:

My experience has found the opposite with quality NC's. Not sure what average would be.

Mine as well. Whenever I grab CCs out of my cabinet I get three knowing one or more could me totally plugged beyond perfecdraw repair. Never have had to use it on any Padron, Oliva, AF or Nudie

[SCgarman]

4 hours ago, KCCubano said:

Mine as well. Whenever I grab CCs out of my cabinet I get three knowing one or more could me totally plugged beyond perfecdraw repair. Never have had to use it on any Padron, Oliva, AF or Nudie

Exactly. The man who invented the Perfecdraw smoked Monte#2 and was fed up with tight draws and plugs. Never have i smoked a plugged Padron 26 or 64 ever, in 30 years. Or most any other NC

[Monterey]

9 hours ago, DikkeSigaar said:

To be fair, I genuinely think that in recent years (last 2/3) construction of Cuban cigars is on par or better than your average NC. Might depend on preferences too, but I have experienced things like tunneling, canoeing and such much more with the average NC than with the average Cuban. Ash holds much better too.

Yeah, that is not my experience or anyone I know.  But glad it is working that way for you.

[Ford2112]

I had 3 cigar failures in the last couple days lol. A diplo 2,a Party 898,and a La Fuerza. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KCCubano]

I have a 2019 box of Dip 2. More than half have been wind tunnels. No smoke. Just air. 

[DikkeSigaar]

16 hours ago, Monterey said:

Yeah, that is not my experience or anyone I know.  But glad it is working that way for you.

Only talking about very recent production; 21 & 22. Sample size is an issue of course. Just my experience that in the last few months I have had relatively more frustrating experiences with NC's than with C's. I just haven't encountered any tent pegs as of late.