I just rec'd a box of Oliva Serie V Belisco when I thought I had ordered the Torpedo (with your 94 rating). Should I exchange, or will the Belisco be just as good?
Of course it's funny guys, but I have purchased boxes before trying even a single stick, based on various factors, including but not limited to a CA rating.
Why? Unavailability of singles, or I happened to be overseas (hint, hint) and made an impulse buy. Where singles are available, I'll try three and then make a decision.
At any rate, Geo seems new to cigars, so trying highly-rated cigars is logical for him; I did the same thing. And, if he has the resources to buy a box at a time in the process, more power to him.
And of course, Geo, if you don't like them, you can always ship them to me.
I bought boxes of PSD4 and Siglo VI without ever smoking those. I don't regret my decision since they both smoke excellent, however, I'll never do that again since I've also smoked cigars with great reviews and reputations that I did not like.
Originally posted by Boknows: I've also smoked cigars with great reviews and reputations that I did not like.
Exactamundo! But don't forget the opposite is true as well -- there are many great cigars that get occasional low ratings. Cigars are agricultural, handmade products subject to fluctuations in consistency. If you go strictly by the ratings, you miss out on a lot of good smokes that may have simply been having a "bad day" when they were tested.
Better he should tell his tobacconist what he likes so far and what he didn't like and ask for reccomendations on that basis, instead of relying so completely on these ratings as though they were 100% true every day of the week.
Originally posted by geostarsone: I just rec'd a box of Oliva Serie V Belisco when I thought I had ordered the Torpedo (with your 94 rating). Should I exchange, or will the Belisco be just as good?
Smoke a couple and if you don't like them, send the rest to me. I'll make sure they are disposed of in a respectable fashion one at a time.
---------- Support Bacteria...it's the only culture some people have.
Posts: 1201 | Location: Medford, NY | Registered: July 18, 2007
Originally posted by Boknows: I bought boxes of PSD4 and Siglo VI without ever smoking those. I don't regret my decision since they both smoke excellent, however, I'll never do that again since I've also smoked cigars with great reviews and reputations that I did not like.
The difference here is that you bought something that has been out for years and each cigar has about 10k different reviews. The Oliva's are new and it's usually a good idea to sample something before committing to a box.
If looking for advice, I really like the new Oliva V's - Go buy 10 boxes!!!!
******************* "If I had taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral." -George burns at age 98
Never buy a cigar based on what CA rates it. Good rating or bad, try one before buying a box. Now IMO the whole Oliva V line is fantastic and if your a lover of a medium to full bodied and complex flavored stick you will like the Belicoso.
Don't listen to them, go ahead and buy it. People buy wine based on rating, and these are $100 plus bottles of wine. At least for this cigar you get 25, and if you don't like them, you can always share with your friend, and with a rating like that, I am sure plenty of your friends will like them.
I bought 10 myself, and if I smoked more, I would have bought the whole box. Also, like any other good thing that comes along, if you miss the opportunity to buy it, don't worry too much, something else will always come along.
Originally posted by NICA: Don't listen to them, go ahead and buy it. People buy wine based on rating, and these are $100 plus bottles of wine. At least for this cigar you get 25, and if you don't like them, you can always share with your friend, and with a rating like that, I am sure plenty of your friends will like them.
I bought 10 myself, and if I smoked more, I would have bought the whole box. Also, like any other good thing that comes along, if you miss the opportunity to buy it, don't worry too much, something else will always come along.
Why would you if you can try a glass at a resturant? Sure, if it's something you can't find go right ahead, but the Oliva line is pretty common and you can find them at many, many tobacco shops.
Anyway, IMO the entire Oliva V line is great, it's all I've been smoking the past few weeks. I've tried the robusto, double curchill, and the lancero. I like the lancero, I really like that size.
I can get them for $5 each at the reservation, but they were sold out when I went yesterday .
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."-Mark Twain
Opinions on this cigar are mixed. I'd try one first as jms says above. I like them. Some friends of mine were really, really underwhelmed. If $170 isn't a lot of money to you, then buy a full box provided you won't care too much if you end up disappointed. If your cigar budget is limited, then I say be more conservative. Who wants to open the humi every day and stare down at over $150 worth if 94-rated cigars they don't like?
Don't get tied to ratings, however,CA's ratings are close to the mark. Instead of buying a box on the blind, I would patronize several cigar stores, and purchase one at a time. From that you'll be able to determine consistency of flavor and quality,for some stores take care of theirs differently. After that, you'll be more secure in your potential purchase, being stuck with a bad bunch, is like being stuck in a bad marriage.
haha, guys come on, read what he asked. He ALREADY bought them. Whether the size/shape will have anything to do with the flavor is his question. The answer is no not really, I wouldn't exchange them, its all a matter of preference as to what shape you like and the difference between the belicoso and the torpedo is nothing you should be worried about. ENJOY!!! Great Cigar!!
-Jason
"Whether I see my humidor as half full or half empty, something's getting smoked"
Originally posted by JasonI: haha, guys come on, read what he asked. He ALREADY bought them. Whether the size/shape will have anything to do with the flavor is his question. The answer is no not really, I wouldn't exchange them, its all a matter of preference as to what shape you like and the difference between the belicoso and the torpedo is nothing you should be worried about. ENJOY!!! Great Cigar!!
If he didn't open the box, he can return them. He should try one first, that's what we're saying.
Where did you get the idea size doesn't effect flavor? Of course it does, that's why some series V's are rated a 94 and others are rated like a 89. On the smaller ring gauge cigars, the wrapper will come into play more, which could add or take away some spice, depending on what size you get.
That's the reason many people don't like smaller CC's, because the flavor doesn't have the time to develop.
If you go on the Oliva website, you can see the torpedo was rated a 94 and the belicoso isn't even listed. Therefor, they either weren't tested by CA, or they were below an 89. I woud say that's a pretty big difference.
I had the torpedo,lancero,and double churchill. I can say that there were differences.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: jms2788,
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."-Mark Twain
Originally posted by JasonI: haha, guys come on, read what he asked. He ALREADY bought them. Whether the size/shape will have anything to do with the flavor is his question. The answer is no not really, I wouldn't exchange them, its all a matter of preference as to what shape you like and the difference between the belicoso and the torpedo is nothing you should be worried about. ENJOY!!! Great Cigar!!
If he didn't open the box, he can return them. He should try one first, that's what we're saying.
Where did you get the idea size doesn't effect flavor? Of course it does, that's why some series V's are rated a 94 and others are rated like a 89. On the smaller ring gauge cigars, the wrapper will come into play more, which could add or take away some spice, depending on what size you get.
That's the reason many people don't like smaller CC's, because the flavor doesn't have the time to develop.
If you go on the Oliva website, you can see the torpedo was rated a 94 and the belicoso isn't even listed. Therefor, they either weren't tested by CA, or they were below an 89. I woud say that's a pretty big difference.
I had the torpedo,lancero,and double churchill. I can say that there were differences.
I absolutely agree James. The size and ring gage has a huge affect on flavor. It could be the same blend but wrapper to filler to binder ratio makes the difference in body and flavor.
I had an Oliva Series V cigar yesterday for my big Christmas day smoke. I was very disappointed. A friend bought me this (paid 15 dollars retail). Was expecting greatness, but mine was very plain. I did try the Lancero previously, and although I prefer much thicker ring gauges, it was a very good smoke. Perhaps I got a bad stick or there were other issues. Anyway, what may be great to one person is only o.k. to someone else--that is one of the great things about cigars is finding the one or two brands that make you really happy.
Posts: 6 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: December 26, 2007
haha I hate to be stubborn but again, he didn't ask whether or not the cigar is good enough for a box of, he asked whether or not he should send the cigar back based upon it being Belicoso instead of Torpedo, and yes I believe size and shape has a huge difference however the taste difference between a Belicoso and a Torpedo is very small especially for a novice.
-Jason
"Whether I see my humidor as half full or half empty, something's getting smoked"
Originally posted by JasonI: haha I hate to be stubborn but again, he didn't ask whether or not the cigar is good enough for a box of, he asked whether or not he should send the cigar back based upon it being Belicoso instead of Torpedo.
And we hate to be stubborn back but HOW THE HELL IS HE SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHICH HE LIKES BETTER UNTIL HE SMOKES ONE OF EACH! That's what everyone is trying to say...over...and over...again.
Okay, if you want an answer...then here...the Belicoso scored less than the Torpedo...and everything CA says is gospel truth, direct from God's lips...so yes, he should return them immediately.
And when he gets the torpoeos, he should NOT unwrap those just in case a different cigar scores a 95 and then he can return them for those.
Maybe someday he'll even get to smoke an actual cigar after all this questioning and returning and form an opinion for himself.
.
