Oregon Man Cigar Review Nub by Oliva Cigars
When I was first getting into handmade cigars, I noticed the flavor often changed and not always for the better once I reached the middle of the cigar. Curious about why that happened, I asked the tobacconist at Broadway Cigars in Lake Oswego Oregon to explain what was going on.
Here’s how he broke it down:
Tar and Oil Accumulation: As you smoke, heat forces tar and nicotine downward through the cigar, concentrating them in the remaining tobacco and creating a more intense — and sometimes harsher — flavor in the second half.
Increased Heat: As the cigar gets shorter and moves closer to your mouth he smoke becomes hotter, which can burn the tobacco too quickly and produce bitter flavors.
Flavor Concentration: The first half of the cigar acts almost like a filter. By the midpoint, there’s less tobacco left to soften the smoke, resulting in a stronger, more direct flavor profile.
The “Sweet Spot” Theory: Many cigars are blended so their best flavors emerge in the middle portion. But if smoked too quickly, that sweet spot can shift into harshness.
That’s when he handed me a cigar with a funny name: the “Nub”.
The idea behind the Nub was simple. According to the folks at Oliva Cigars, the most enjoyable portion of a cigar, the “sweet spot” usually happens in the last 3½ to 4 inches of a traditional full-size smoke. So instead of making you wait to get there, they packed nearly the same amount of tobacco into a compact 4-inch cigar designed to hit that sweet spot right from the start.
And honestly, they were onto something.
Cigar Review: Nub Connecticut
Size - 4 x 60
Wrapper - Connecticut
Binder - Nicaragua
Filler- Nicaragua
Strength - Mild to Medium
The Look
Short and stout are the first words that come to mind. Because of the compact size, the 58-ring gauge feels even larger in hand than it would on a traditional full-size cigar. The Connecticut wrapper shows some visible veins and a marbled appearance, with light oils present across the leaf. It feels a bit course to the touch but very well constructed overall.
The cigar has a solid roll with no soft spots and carries a surprising heft for its size. Looking at the foot of the cigar, there’s a swirl of darker tobacco that oddly reminded me of the marble rye from Seinfeld.
These are the tasting notes I experienced
Caramel
Pepper
Earth
Sweetness
At the foot, the aroma delivers sweet notes of caramel along with touches of pepper and earth (I have figured out what earth tastes like in a cigar - I would describe it as a mixture of damp soil, mustiness or moss) By the time I reached the halfway point I was rewared by a little taste of sweetness.
The Burn
Despite its compact size, this cigar easily lasts about an hour thanks to its slow, even burn. The combustion line stayed thin and consistent throughout the smoke, producing firm ash. The draw was close to perfect. More importantly, the cigar stayed lit from first light to final puff without needing touch-ups. (Note: Because of the 60 gage I used punch rather than a V Cut to open the cap)
The Finish
Staying true to the reason Olivia built this cigar line. The Nub Connecticut delivers exactly what it promises: the sweet spot of a traditional cigar without the long commitment. It’s approachable, flavorful, and burns remarkably well for such compact smoke. The Nub is just an easygoing cigar that fits perfectly as an afternoon or a cigar for relaxed evening on the patio with a drink in hand and nowhere else to be.
Oregon Man Comments
The Nub Connecticut is a very enjoyable cigar, easy to cut or punch, light, and settle into without much effort. I’ve ended plenty of cigars early because the flavor profile drifted into harsh bitterness by the second half, but the Nub rarely disappoints in that regard. It stays remarkably consistent from first light to final puff, maintaining its core tasting notes throughout the entire smoke. Becasue of that consistency Nub cigars will always have a place in my humidor.
Oregon Man Rating
8.5 / 10
Pairing Suggestions
Bourbon Old Fashioned
Dark roast coffee
Irish whiskey
Jazz Music Pairing - Chet Baker Sings (1958) https://youtu.be/SWM4gK5otVg?si=Dl0Frkt7wYbW26Rl
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