Oliva Cigar Company's history in the world of premium tobacco dates back to 1886 in the famed Pinar del Río region of Cuba. Melanio Oliva was the first in the Oliva family to grow tobacco; and his son Facundo followed in his footsteps. The family's passion for tobacco was passed down generation after generation, but when Gilberto Oliva (Melanio's grandson) took the reins, the Cuban Revolution had begun and he was forced to look elsewhere for tobacco. After brokering tobacco for years, Gilberto had his own cigar crafted in Nicaragua in 1995. The year following, he and his sons opened their own factory and began rolling cigars entirely from Nicaraguan leaf. In the years following, admiration for Nicaraguan tobaccos exploded, and the Olivas are now among the world's most acclaimed producers of premium cigars.

Introducing the Gilberto Oliva Reserva by Oliva Cigar Co. In the same way the legendary Oliva Serie V Melanio was named after the family's original patriarch, Gilberto Oliva Reserva has been named for its modern patriarch. This was the last cigar to be introduced by Oliva before Gilberto Oliva passed away on Dec. 16, 2017, at the age of 86.

Gilberto Oliva Reserva makes use of an Indonesian Sumatra wrapper (a first for Oliva) over an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Perhaps most impressive, this diverse blend is also among Oliva's most affordable, priced in the $5 to $6 range. The cigars showcase classic flavors of cedar, baking spices, black pepper, cinnamon, and even ginger spice.