Oliva Master Blends 3 Review: Specs and Sizes
Oliva Master Blends 3 is worth smoking if you like sweet, dark maduro cigars and already have some cigars behind you. It is a poor first cigar. At Humidorist, we have not smoked or reviewed Master Blends 3 for this page. This verdict is our reading of Oliva's product page and the guidance in our own Oliva guides.
Is Oliva Master Blends 3 Worth Smoking?
Oliva calls it "a complex cigar which satisfies the most experienced smoker." The specs below come from Oliva's product page.
| Spec | Oliva Master Blends 3 |
|---|---|
| Series | Master Blends, the third limited blend in the series |
| Wrapper | United States (Broadleaf, sun-grown) |
| Binder | Nicaragua |
| Filler | Nicaragua (ligero, per Oliva) |
| Sizes | Churchill 7 x 50, Torpedo 6.5 x 52, Robusto 5 x 50 |
| Strength | Not published by Oliva |
| Price | Not published by Oliva |
| Rating cited | 92 from Cigar Snob, from 2013 |
- The wrapper: see our Oliva brand guide. Our Oliva vs Perdomo guide says the maduro wrapper gives heavy chocolate notes.
- The audience: Oliva aims Master Blends 3 at experienced smokers, so a newer smoker is outside the group the blend was made for.
- The rating: Oliva's page cites a 92 from Cigar Snob, from 2013. That is one outlet and one issue, so treat it as a single data point.
Our answer would change if Oliva published a strength rating.
What the Blend Is
Oliva Master Blends 3 is a limited cigar that pairs a sun-grown United States Broadleaf wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler. Oliva's page calls it "the third offering in a series of limited artisanal blends." The same page says it was "specifically blended to deliver the richest characteristics of Nicaraguan ligero filler and Broadleaf sun-grown wrappers."
Our guides describe Master Blends 3 as a Broadleaf maduro, sweet and dark. If you are new to wrapper types, our cigar wrappers guide explains how they differ. Our maduro vs natural guide covers maduro wrappers.
Oliva's page does not say how many cigars were made or whether Master Blends 3 is still in production. The word "limited" is Oliva's own framing.
Sizes of Oliva Master Blends 3
Oliva lists three sizes for Master Blends 3:
- Churchill: 7 x 50, the longest of the three.
- Torpedo: 6.5 x 52, the widest of the three.
- Robusto: 5 x 50, the shortest of the three.
The robusto listing has a conflict on Oliva's page. The heading says 5 x 50, but the image filename reads 6x50, so confirm the robusto size on the listing at one of our recommended online cigar retailers before you order. Retailers may also list sizes Oliva's page does not show.
The Churchill and the Robusto share a 50 ring gauge, so the difference between them is length. The Torpedo is 1.5 inches longer than the Robusto (6.5 minus 5) and two ring gauge points wider (52 minus 50). For what ring gauge and length mean, see our cigar sizes guide.
Who It Suits and Who Should Pick Something Else
Oliva Master Blends 3 suits a smoker who already enjoys dark, sweet maduro cigars and wants a limited Oliva blend. Choose by the specs Oliva publishes:
- Pick Master Blends 3 if you want a sun-grown Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler.
- Pick the Churchill or Torpedo if you want a longer smoke than the Robusto.
Master Blends 3 is a poor fit for these buyers:
- First-time smokers: Oliva built the blend for experienced smokers. Oliva also makes the milder Connecticut Reserve. Our cigar strength guide explains the general scale.
- Buyers who want a full-bodied Oliva line: Oliva's Serie V and Serie V Melanio are full-bodied. Our Oliva Serie V Melanio guide covers that line.
- Buyers comparing maduros across brands: our best maduro cigars list covers more options than one limited Oliva blend.
Oliva states no strength for Master Blends 3. The dark Broadleaf wrapper and the ligero filler point to a fuller smoke, but that is our inference from the leaf, not a published rating.
Price and Where to Buy Oliva Master Blends 3
Oliva does not list a price for Master Blends 3 on its product page. Prices vary by retailer and by date, so compare current prices at our recommended online cigar retailers. You must be 21 or older to buy cigars.
Keep the cigars you buy in a humidor; our guide on how to store cigars covers the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oliva Master Blends 3 worth smoking?
Oliva Master Blends 3 is worth smoking if you like sweet, dark maduro cigars and have some experience. Oliva aims it at experienced smokers, so it is a poor first cigar. We have not smoked it for this page. Our verdict reads Oliva's specs and our own Oliva guides.
How strong is Oliva Master Blends 3?
Oliva publishes no strength rating. Our cigar strength guide explains the general scale.
What sizes does Oliva Master Blends 3 come in?
Oliva lists a Churchill at 7 x 50, a Torpedo at 6.5 x 52 and a Robusto at 5 x 50. Confirm the Robusto size at a retailer, since Oliva's product page conflicts on it.
How much does Oliva Master Blends 3 cost?
Oliva does not list a price for Master Blends 3. Prices vary by retailer and date, so compare current prices at our recommended online cigar retailers.