A respected cigar does not earn its reputation through strength alone. Construction, balance, tobacco quality, and the way its flavors develop from beginning to end all matter. The Oliva Serie V Melanio is a fine example—and its Figurado size received the industry’s highest recognition.

In 2014, Cigar Aficionado named the Oliva Serie V Melanio Figurado its No. 1 Cigar of the Year. The publication awarded it 96 points and listed the winning cigar at 6½ inches by a 52 ring gauge.

That award belonged specifically to the Figurado—not every size carrying the Melanio name—but the entire line shares the blend and careful craftsmanship that helped build its reputation.

A Tribute to the Oliva Family

The Melanio line was introduced in 2012 and named for Melanio Oliva, the family member credited with growing tobacco in Cuba during the late nineteenth century.

The original Oliva Serie V had already developed a following for its bold Nicaraguan character. Serie V Melanio refined that foundation by adding an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper to Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos.

The result is a cigar with depth and richness, but also enough control and balance to keep its strength from overwhelming the experience.

What Makes the Figurado Special?

A Figurado is a shaped cigar rather than a conventional straight-sided format. The Melanio Figurado has a distinctive box-pressed profile with tapered ends, giving it an immediately recognizable appearance.

This shape is also more demanding to produce. It requires experienced rollers to maintain the correct proportions and airflow while forming the cigar’s curves and tapers. A well-made example should feel carefully constructed before it is ever lit.

The tapered foot starts the experience with a concentrated area of tobacco. As the burn reaches the cigar’s wider body, the smoke opens and the blend becomes fuller. This changing shape can make the cigar feel more progressive than a traditional parejo.

Flavor and Character

Cigar Aficionado described the award-winning Figurado as having substantial leather character supported by coffee, caramel, and wood. Those notes provide a useful framework, but tasting remains personal. Storage, age, preparation, and smoking pace can all affect what an individual notices.

In our experience, Serie V Melanio is best described as rich, polished, and balanced. It has enough body for an experienced cigar smoker while remaining more refined than a cigar that depends entirely on power.

The Ecuadorian wrapper contributes aroma and smoothness, while the Nicaraguan tobaccos provide structure, earthiness, and depth. A restrained smoking pace gives the blend time to develop and helps keep the temperature under control.

More Than One Size

Serie V Melanio is produced in several formats, and each size can present the blend differently. A smaller ring gauge may emphasize the wrapper more clearly, while a larger format can give the filler tobaccos a broader role.

The Figurado carries the famous 2014 award, but another size may still better suit an individual smoker’s available time, preferred draw, or usual strength profile. That is one reason we encourage customers to ask questions instead of choosing solely by a rating.

A Modern Nicaraguan Classic

Awards can draw attention to a cigar, but lasting respect must be earned over time. The Oliva Serie V Melanio has remained relevant because it combines distinguished tobacco, recognizable construction, and a flavor profile with both strength and refinement.

The 2014 Figurado’s No. 1 ranking is an important part of its story, but the award is not the only reason people continue to return to the line. The cigar succeeds because the blend itself has character.

The Oliva Serie V Melanio is available at Fumare Smoke Shop for adults 21 and over. Visit us at 4333 Hazel Avenue in Fair Oaks, California. Sizes and inventory may vary, so please call or stop by for current availability.

Premium cigars contain nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This article is intended for adults 21 and over and is provided for general educational purposes.