Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, Charles-Philippe reviews the Gilberto Oliva Reserva, an affordable Oliva cigar with a surprising Sumatran wrapper! Watch to learn all about its tasting notes and properties with our detailed review.
Buy Now:
Boveda Acrylic Humidor: amzn.to/3deJ2I8
Boveda 69% RH Packs: amzn.to/2RLCJ4W
Boveda Butler: amzn.to/35IdGX8
Check out the Gilberto Oliva Reserva Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/cigars/gilberto-oliva-reserva
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula:
bespokeunit.com/cigars/formula
This Video's Wardrobe:
Shirt: click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=84gKhJ8XAxE&mid=41518&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawesandcurtis.com%2F
Suit: hockerty.com/en-us/?utm_source=bespokeunit
Cufflinks: Vintage
Tie: click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=84gKhJ8XAxE&mid=41518&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawesandcurtis.com%2F
Suit: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=931486&u=1010333&m=68570
Video Summary:
00:00 Introduction
The Gilberto Oliva Reserva was reviewed using the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula, a quantifiable review matrix. Rather than a Boveda acrylic humidor, we used a Boveda bag with 69% Boveda packs for a period of three weeks to ensure that they were properly acclimated and ready to be evaluated.
00:40 Cigar Overview
Originally named "Facunda", a legal dispute with Bacardi caused Oliva to rename it after Gilberto. It's made with an accordian bunching style and the blend includes an Indonesian Sumatra wrapper, which is unusual given that Oliva often favours Nicaraguan puros.
01:42 Look & Feel
With a slightly rustic look, the cigar has a few soft spots but features an overall firm spring. Its cocoa powder coloured wrapper has a matte texture but does still reveal some oiliness. Its veins are somewhat rustic. Meanwhile, it has aromas of tonka bean, cocoa powder, and olibanum.
03:02 Prelight
The prelight reveals a slightly hard draw, which does loosen somewhat when massaged. Its flavours consist of butterscotch, salted caramel, and cinnamon.
03:33 Tasting Notes
The first third opens with a herbal note, which is reminiscent of fried salicornia. There is also a cereal malt barley note as well as dried earth, which is prevalent on the retrohale. The second third is more balanced and consists of buttercream, white pepper, and sarsaparilla root. Eventually, the final third offered a bouquet of oak, iron oxide, and black pepper.
The Reserva isn't an overly complex cigar and its mouthfeel can be regarded as somewhat flat. Meanwhile, the stimulation was focused towards the front of the palate and was occasionally dry. Nevertheless, its life-cycle showed consistency as well as a distinctive evolution between each third. However, its finish isn't overly lingering.
06:10 Burn
The cigar's airflow stays quite tight throughout the cigar being reviewed in the video. However, this wasn't always the case. Otherwise, the sharp burn line was quite wavy yet cool with an excellent ash backbone that clings well onto the cigar.
06:41 Overall Experience
From a distance, the band looks quite ornate. However, it does look cheaper up close. It's also quite large and the straight bottom of the band looks odd compared to the oval top. The box has a similar aesthetic that seeks to mimic the Cuban style cigar box.
Otherwise, it's a very affordable cigar. It can be picked up for around $6 each. However, you can occasionally find them on generous online sales for about $3 each with certain 20-count boxes at $60.
Needless to say, the Gilberto Oliva Reserva is not a celebratory cigar. Indeed, it's better used as an everyday smoke for when walking the dogs or doing other things. It's also a good option for a casual barbecue with friends.
08:55 Pairings
Consider grilled pork, especially if smoked during a barbecue. You could also try milk chocolate to reduce its dryness. Meanwhile, apple walnut salad is also a great choice.
Finally, opt for beer when choosing beverages. You could also have it with a cappuccino coffee to bring out the cigar's creaminess.
Already tried the Gilberto Oliva Reserva cigar or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
In this video, Charles-Philippe reviews the Gilberto Oliva Reserva, an affordable Oliva cigar with a surprising Sumatran wrapper! Watch to learn all about its tasting notes and properties with our detailed review.
Buy Now:
Boveda Acrylic Humidor: amzn.to/3deJ2I8
Boveda 69% RH Packs: amzn.to/2RLCJ4W
Boveda Butler: amzn.to/35IdGX8
Check out the Gilberto Oliva Reserva Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/cigars/gilberto-oliva-reserva
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula:
bespokeunit.com/cigars/formula
This Video's Wardrobe:
Shirt: click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=84gKhJ8XAxE&mid=41518&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawesandcurtis.com%2F
Suit: hockerty.com/en-us/?utm_source=bespokeunit
Cufflinks: Vintage
Tie: click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=84gKhJ8XAxE&mid=41518&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawesandcurtis.com%2F
Suit: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=931486&u=1010333&m=68570
Video Summary:
00:00 Introduction
The Gilberto Oliva Reserva was reviewed using the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula, a quantifiable review matrix. Rather than a Boveda acrylic humidor, we used a Boveda bag with 69% Boveda packs for a period of three weeks to ensure that they were properly acclimated and ready to be evaluated.
00:40 Cigar Overview
Originally named "Facunda", a legal dispute with Bacardi caused Oliva to rename it after Gilberto. It's made with an accordian bunching style and the blend includes an Indonesian Sumatra wrapper, which is unusual given that Oliva often favours Nicaraguan puros.
01:42 Look & Feel
With a slightly rustic look, the cigar has a few soft spots but features an overall firm spring. Its cocoa powder coloured wrapper has a matte texture but does still reveal some oiliness. Its veins are somewhat rustic. Meanwhile, it has aromas of tonka bean, cocoa powder, and olibanum.
03:02 Prelight
The prelight reveals a slightly hard draw, which does loosen somewhat when massaged. Its flavours consist of butterscotch, salted caramel, and cinnamon.
03:33 Tasting Notes
The first third opens with a herbal note, which is reminiscent of fried salicornia. There is also a cereal malt barley note as well as dried earth, which is prevalent on the retrohale. The second third is more balanced and consists of buttercream, white pepper, and sarsaparilla root. Eventually, the final third offered a bouquet of oak, iron oxide, and black pepper.
The Reserva isn't an overly complex cigar and its mouthfeel can be regarded as somewhat flat. Meanwhile, the stimulation was focused towards the front of the palate and was occasionally dry. Nevertheless, its life-cycle showed consistency as well as a distinctive evolution between each third. However, its finish isn't overly lingering.
06:10 Burn
The cigar's airflow stays quite tight throughout the cigar being reviewed in the video. However, this wasn't always the case. Otherwise, the sharp burn line was quite wavy yet cool with an excellent ash backbone that clings well onto the cigar.
06:41 Overall Experience
From a distance, the band looks quite ornate. However, it does look cheaper up close. It's also quite large and the straight bottom of the band looks odd compared to the oval top. The box has a similar aesthetic that seeks to mimic the Cuban style cigar box.
Otherwise, it's a very affordable cigar. It can be picked up for around $6 each. However, you can occasionally find them on generous online sales for about $3 each with certain 20-count boxes at $60.
Needless to say, the Gilberto Oliva Reserva is not a celebratory cigar. Indeed, it's better used as an everyday smoke for when walking the dogs or doing other things. It's also a good option for a casual barbecue with friends.
08:55 Pairings
Consider grilled pork, especially if smoked during a barbecue. You could also try milk chocolate to reduce its dryness. Meanwhile, apple walnut salad is also a great choice.
Finally, opt for beer when choosing beverages. You could also have it with a cappuccino coffee to bring out the cigar's creaminess.
Already tried the Gilberto Oliva Reserva cigar or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
