The Oliva Serie V brand is a cigar that’s consistently smoked above its price range since it was introduced in 2007, and the Churchill Extra here is no exception. As a company, Oliva can be chronicled in three major eras. It started modestly in 1995 producing inexpensive cigars. In the mid 2000s, the family-owned cigar manufacturer became serious about the premium sector, producing brands in its Nicaraguan factory such as the Serie O, and then the Serie V. Then, in 2016, after building a strong following in the cigar world, Oliva sold the company to another family, the Vandermarlieres of Belgium. Any worries about diminished quality have now been forgotten, as Oliva continues to make exceptional cigars under the leadership of Fred Vandermarliere, who vowed to maintain Oliva’s record of excellence. From the beginning, Vandermarliere was clear that he had no interest in changing the company culture of Oliva. Every lively puff here of cinnamon, baked apple, nuts, raisin and minerals reminds us that he’s kept his promise. It’s a great smoke, but it’s more than that. The Oliva Serie V Churchill Extra is also emblematic of how one great cigar family is able to carry on the high standards of another.