Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, Charles-Philippe reviews the Master Blends 3, an elusive yet celebrated blend by Oliva! 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 Oliva Master Blends 3 Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/cigars/oliva-master-blends-3
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula:
bespokeunit.com/cigars/formula
This Video's Wardrobe:
Shirt: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1128484&u=1010333&m=59274&urllink=&afftrack=
Video Summary:
00:00 Introduction
As with all our cigar reviews, the Master Blends 3 was stored in a Boveda acrylic humidor for three weeks with 69% RH Boveda packs and monitored with a Boveda butler.
00:41 Cigar Overview
The Master Blends series was first launched in 2003 with a limited number of 15,000 boxes. In 2006, The Master Blends 3 was the third instalment but has not been succeeded since. The blend consists of an American broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and Nicaraguan ligero filler.
02:28 Look & Feel
The cigar has a unique oval pressed shape with a straight roll and a firm spring. Its colour is cacao nib with a slightly oily sheen. While there is some coarseness, the veins are refined overall. Its foot reveals notes of fresh manure, musky labdanum, and terracotta earth.
03:31 Prelight
The dry-draw is quite different and offers predominantly gourmand notes of tonka bean, liquorice, and dark chococlate. Its dry is excellent and offers just the right amount of resistance.
03:50 Tasting Notes
Opening with Oliva's signature black pepper flavour, it is accompanied by charred bay leaf, and ground almonds. The ground almond persists in the second third but there is also iron oxide and rosewood. Eventually, the final third provided a bouquet consisting of liquorice, coffee bean, and agarwood.
Despite an almost overpowering start, the Master Blends 3 is an overall nuanced and complex cigar. Its mouthfeel is both creamy and oily, leaving a coating on the tongue. The palate stimulation is balanced with intriguing changes throughout each third.
Its finish is very long and welcomes a palate cleanser such as espresso coffee.
06:25 Burn
While the draw is consistent, the burn angle can be quite wavy and the ash backbone is somewhat flaky. Furthermore, the cigar can easily heat up, which is likely due to the oval shape producing a perfect seal when held between the lips.
07:15 Overall Experience
The Latin American landscape depicted in the band is very attractive and the cigar is nicely presented. The box is beautifully constructed and appears to be made from cherry wood with a design that evokes the cigar's band.
For a supposedly limited edition cigar, it offers great value. A single robusto should cost around $11.40 whereas a Churchill can be as much as $13. You can expect cheaper prices for boxes online.
As for the occasion, it's a versatile cigar that can be savoured on special occasions or simply enjoyed with friends. Indeed, it's as versatile as the Serie V.
08:45 Pairings
We would recommend dishes like Carpaccio di manzo, dark chocolate, and walnuts. As for beverages añejo rum would be ideal. Otherwise, Armagnac is a great choice and a characterful alternative to cognac. Otherwise, you could always opt for espresso.
Already tried the Oliva Master Blends 3 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 Master Blends 3, an elusive yet celebrated blend by Oliva! 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 Oliva Master Blends 3 Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/cigars/oliva-master-blends-3
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Cigar Formula:
bespokeunit.com/cigars/formula
This Video's Wardrobe:
Shirt: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1128484&u=1010333&m=59274&urllink=&afftrack=
Video Summary:
00:00 Introduction
As with all our cigar reviews, the Master Blends 3 was stored in a Boveda acrylic humidor for three weeks with 69% RH Boveda packs and monitored with a Boveda butler.
00:41 Cigar Overview
The Master Blends series was first launched in 2003 with a limited number of 15,000 boxes. In 2006, The Master Blends 3 was the third instalment but has not been succeeded since. The blend consists of an American broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and Nicaraguan ligero filler.
02:28 Look & Feel
The cigar has a unique oval pressed shape with a straight roll and a firm spring. Its colour is cacao nib with a slightly oily sheen. While there is some coarseness, the veins are refined overall. Its foot reveals notes of fresh manure, musky labdanum, and terracotta earth.
03:31 Prelight
The dry-draw is quite different and offers predominantly gourmand notes of tonka bean, liquorice, and dark chococlate. Its dry is excellent and offers just the right amount of resistance.
03:50 Tasting Notes
Opening with Oliva's signature black pepper flavour, it is accompanied by charred bay leaf, and ground almonds. The ground almond persists in the second third but there is also iron oxide and rosewood. Eventually, the final third provided a bouquet consisting of liquorice, coffee bean, and agarwood.
Despite an almost overpowering start, the Master Blends 3 is an overall nuanced and complex cigar. Its mouthfeel is both creamy and oily, leaving a coating on the tongue. The palate stimulation is balanced with intriguing changes throughout each third.
Its finish is very long and welcomes a palate cleanser such as espresso coffee.
06:25 Burn
While the draw is consistent, the burn angle can be quite wavy and the ash backbone is somewhat flaky. Furthermore, the cigar can easily heat up, which is likely due to the oval shape producing a perfect seal when held between the lips.
07:15 Overall Experience
The Latin American landscape depicted in the band is very attractive and the cigar is nicely presented. The box is beautifully constructed and appears to be made from cherry wood with a design that evokes the cigar's band.
For a supposedly limited edition cigar, it offers great value. A single robusto should cost around $11.40 whereas a Churchill can be as much as $13. You can expect cheaper prices for boxes online.
As for the occasion, it's a versatile cigar that can be savoured on special occasions or simply enjoyed with friends. Indeed, it's as versatile as the Serie V.
08:45 Pairings
We would recommend dishes like Carpaccio di manzo, dark chocolate, and walnuts. As for beverages añejo rum would be ideal. Otherwise, Armagnac is a great choice and a characterful alternative to cognac. Otherwise, you could always opt for espresso.
Already tried the Oliva Master Blends 3 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
