Oliva Cain F 550

The first sample knocked my socks off in the final third. I took the second sample carefully, wary of building strength, but it was much less strong with no surprise kick at the end. Flavour in the second cigar was much richer and complex than that of the first, which was often monodimensional.

The third cigar was also too strong. Strength manifested in the second third and abated slightly in the third. But the whole experienced was marred by too much strength. 

1. October 27th, 2021: This is a strong cigar. The 'F' in the name stands for "fuerte", strong. The label describes the cigar as 'sungrown' and 'straight ligero'. According to Neptune, it's 82% ligero, which is the strongest leaf of the plant. Indeed, it was strong.

Appearance and Construction: The cigar looks well made but with a slight kink at the foot. It was quite light in the hand, which contributed to a very easy draw. It had a few soft spots but these had no noticeable effect on burn or draw. 

The size is 5 3/4 inches by 50. So it's somewhere between a robusto and a toro. As described above, it's a Nicaraguan puro with 82% ligero tobacco.

Straight ligero, but not quite straight; a slight kink at the foot.

First Puff: Strong: not just the flavour but the aroma was strong. It was so strong that I had to avoid the direct path of wafting smoke when I put the cigar down to rest.

This intensity of flavour and aroma soon abated and the cigar took on a more mellow, albeit strong, profile until the final third. 

Draw and Burn: Draw and burn were almost perfect. There was a bit of a wave in the final third but it self corrected. Draw was easy with no resistance but this didn't mean a fast burn. Due to the strength of the cigar, it was necessary to put the cigar down for a while and take a break, resulting in a burn time of more than 90 minutes. 

Flavour and Complexity: Flavour was a little thin but was balanced by strength. One of the reviewers on the Neptune site described the flavour as 'a bit unidimensional'. I wouldn't agree with that. There was a bit of complexity in the flavour. But it was somewhat thin.

Flavour was a medium roast coffee with a powdery, vegetal, after taste. There was nothing dark or dirty about the flavour. It resembled the Rocky Patel Edge Corojo, with its powdery aftertaste, but far stronger and more complex than the RP. Flavour dissipated somewhat in the final third. But strength didn't. With a little more discipline I would left the cigar before the final inch and a half, as the strength was a bit overwhelming and flavour was not quite there.

Body: Started off full body, and wavered between medium to full. At times the cigar was so strong that it was difficult to discern whether body was medium or full.

Strength: Strong. The initial explosion of flavour soon abated and the cigar mellowed out after a few millimetres. But strength was present throughout. It was a little unsettling from time to time, jangling the nerves a bit, but slowing down made it tolerable. This is a good cigar to pace. Let it sit for a while between puffs. Even let it go out. Probably a good idea to drink plenty of water to replace sweat.

Strength was not overpowering until I finished the cigar and went to sit at my computer where I felt the nicotine build up on me. The queasiness lasted for a few minutes before fading. A lesser experienced cigar smoker would have felt grave. Nonetheless, it was one of those nights with vivid, detailed dreams. 

Finish and Aftertaste: The finish was long and the aftertaste was a bit dry and powdery, like the Rocky Patel Edge Corojo. 

Aroma: Aroma was deep and rich. Very fine. 

Ash: Ash held on quite well. The first ash lasted 20 minutes. It was the flaky, salt and pepper speckled variety, perhaps reflecting the loose packing of the cigar.

Balance and Consistency: The initial flavour blast was welcome as was the subsequent smoothness. The strength also complemented the flavour well. However, the final third was more strength than flavour. If I had been more disciplined, I would not have smoked it to the final inch. I would have let it go with two inches to left. 80 minutes would have been adequate.

Time smoke: 95 minutes. 

Overall: This is an interesting combination of medium roast flavour, strength and good aroma. Burn was excellent and draw was without resistance. Overall, I think the strength was overdone, especially in the final third. I recall similar issues with the San Lotano Oval Gordo. A year of ageing smoothed that cigar out well. Perhaps a little ageing will give this cigar more balance.

Excellent burn and easy draw throughout

2. December 29th, 2021: Almost a different cigar: flavour was extremely rich, resembling the Melanio in complexity. Aftertaste was a little dirty. Aroma was rich. Flavour and body were pretty much consistent throughout with a little extra smoothness in the final third.

The cigar was strong throughout, but, unlike the previous sample, not overpowering. I was on my guard and smoked the stogie gingerly. I also left the cigar before the nub, at around 82 minutes, to be on the safe side. This was difficult because the cigar became smoother and more mellow in the final third. 

Wrapper was dark and oily. The cigar might have been a little too moist, as it was somewhat squishy. But there were no issues with burn or draw. Burn was almost perfect.

Overall, this was much more satisfying than the previous cigar. I was quite pleased that strength did not overwhelm and flavour was rich and at times extremely complex. The cigar was similar to the Rocky Patel Super Ligero, but with a medium roast flavour rather than dark roast and burnt toast. It also reminded me of some of the better samples of the Alec Bradley Nica Puro. 82 minutes. Quite satisfying.

Lovely oily wrapper

Ash held on well.

At the one hour mark. I left the cigar with an inch or more to preempt surprise strength kick at the end. It was difficult because the final third was somewhat smoother and quite delicious. 

3. February 19th, 2022: Some good moments with this cigar but it was too strong. Wonderful rich aroma, perfect draw and burn. Full body all the way. The first third was excellent. If it had stayed that way throughout, with not transitions, it would have been a favourite. But strength intervened.

Strength didn't start to accelerate until the second third. After that it came in spasms; or, should I say, my gut reacted in spasms and I broke into a sweat. It's a shame, because the first third was deliciously complex and rich without being overwhelming. It was only the second third that was unbalanced. But it was sufficiently unpleasant to cast a shadow over the whole experience. The final third toned down the strength a bit and it was quite enjoyable. But I was wary of another night of vivid dreams, so I abandoned the nub at about an inch.

Interestingly, the cigar was moist and squishy, as was the cigar of December 29th, above. However, it came from the same box as the Cain 550 Sungrown that I smoked a few days ago. The Sungrown was bone hard. Go figure!

By comparison with the Sungrown, the F is less balanced. I think I'd prefer the Sungrown for balance, even though the F has some moments which are more satisfying. As I mentioned, if the Cain F had remained the same as the first third, throughout, it would have been a winner.

Overall, 95 minutes, not satisfying. 

4. November 22nd, 2023: This cigar was light in the hand, very easy to draw and burned quite consistently. It was strong, but not too strong. Flavour was a bit monodimensional, lacking complexity, as I've described above. Aroma was nothing to speak of; almost a bit like marijuana. Finish was long and strong, allowing for generous pauses between puffs and even a relight. Altogether quite satisfying at 90 minutes.