Cruising with Cigars: Part I: Oliva Series V 5 x 54 Double Robusto

There are few pleasures as refined—or as transportive—as lighting up a fine cigar while watching the world drift by on open water. Welcome to Cruising with Cigars, a new three-part Vancouver Vices series that takes to the rivers of Europe aboard Riverside Luxury Cruises, where elegance, gastronomy, and premium cigars converge. From connoisseur lounges to panoramic top decks, each chapter explores how time slows and senses sharpen with every draw. First stop: a seductive encounter with the Oliva Serie V Double Robusto.

On the Danube

We had just pulled away from Budapest, bound for Bratislava, the Danube gliding beneath us like a velvet ribbon under moonlight. The mid-day meal had unfolded with indulgent precision—starting with a plant-based charcuterie board, warm artisan rolls, and a vibrant avocado gazpacho with tomato zest and microgreens. The main course delivered a harmony of grilled eggplant, fingerling potatoes, and roasted sunchokes. A delicate dessert of vanilla coconut ice cream with a dark chocolate crumble and mango expression called for something equally complex to finish the repast.

Enter the Oliva Series V 5 x 54 Double Robusto—my choice from the Connoisseurs Club aboard The Mozart. This Nicaraguan beauty is box-pressed to perfection, its Ecuadorian Sun Grown Habano wrapper smooth, seamless, and kissed by the high priming’s natural oils. Underneath, specially fermented Jalapa Valley ligero marries Nicaraguan binder and filler to create a full-bodied, intricately balanced blend.

The dry draw offered hints of cedar and dried fruit. Once lit, the cigar opened with a dark chocolate richness, mellowed by coffee undertones and a whisper of black pepper that danced on the retrohale. Smoke flowed generously, light through the nose, intensifying the experience without overwhelming. This cigar knows how to tell a story—one of heritage, mastery, and a slow-burning crescendo of flavour.

To elevate the experience even further, I paired the Oliva Serie V with a pour of Martell X.O., adding a level of depth and decadence to the afternoon ritual. The cognac opened with a bold, spicy nose layered with dried fruit, crisp apple, vanilla, and ripe apricot—an aromatic overture that played in harmony with the cigar’s dark chocolate and cedar. Each sip unfurled slowly, revealing a long, velvety finish where the vanilla and apricot returned, echoing the final notes of the Double Robusto. On the top deck, with the river shimmering below and time seemingly suspended, it was the perfect indulgence: rich, refined, and deeply satisfying.

A Brief History of Oliva

Originally launched in 2007 and crowned Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar of the Year in 2008, the Serie V line has since grown into an award-winning legacy. With offshoots like the Serie V Melanio and Melanio Maduro paying tribute to the Oliva patriarch, Melanio Oliva—who first cultivated tobacco in Cuba in 1886—the lineage speaks to resilience, craftsmanship, and a passion that spans generations.

The Oliva family’s journey from Cuba to Nicaragua was not just one of exile—it was a pursuit of purity. Today, they are the second-largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco in Nicaragua, continuing to honour tradition while elevating the art of the cigar.

As the stars took their place over the river and the final draw mellowed into silence, it was clear: the Oliva Serie V was not just a cigar—it was the perfect afternoon companion.

Up next in Part II: The Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva. A classic with Dominican roots and a legacy all its own. Get ready to explore its bold flavour profile and impeccable construction aboard another unforgettable evening at sea.

Author Profile

Vlad Xanthopoulos: Vlad Xanthopoulos is the Vices Ambassador at Folio.YVR, host of Cocktails & Cigars, and contributor. A connoisseur of fine cigars and craft cocktails, Vlad explores the art, culture, and stories behind these indulgences. His passion for tradition and refined living elevate Vancouver Vices for Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.