Everyone knows that great powers influence. In this aspect, I mean great powers as in countries like England, Spain, France, America, etc. You can say it destroys a country's original culture or you can say it helps advance it's civilization; in this case, the controlling powers took it's resources. Nicaragua was a colony of Spain and when Nicaragua gained their independence, they were not completely free, other nations had imposing influence, like the United States. The United States was defending against Socialist and self interest. Just as in the case with many other countries, the United States is there with terms. Basically like in many other examples, the United States called shots on who would control the government. Indirectly or intentionally the Nicaraguan government became a dictatorship. Even in freedom, they were not free from their own and it decimated the country. That's why you see countries like these poor because of rebellion and civil war. The 1970 labelled on the band defines a time when the cigar was considered prominent before the socialist gained control.
This is not the first Joya de Nicaragua I have smoked, matter of fact I have enjoyed these as one of the first premium brand cigars I came across when I started. On the shelf of a local cigar lounge, a box sits on the shelf of the humidor with a price tag of $30 each. Is that an original one from around the 1970s? Nah, I think it would go for way more if in good condition. The one that sits on the shelf is probably the same as the one I smoked or another blend, one rolled in recent years. I love cigar lounges but hate their mark up prices.
I would have reviewed the Celebracion blend but did not have one. For this Christmas, that is the Sunday before Christmas Eve, I bring to you the review on the Joya de Nicaragua Antano in a Robusto size. I wish all readers a Merry Christmas and Happy 2013 to come.
Vitola: Robusto Grande (5.5" x 52RG)
Price: $6-$7 stick
Wrapper: Nicaraguan (Criollo Habana)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaragua
Aged in Humidor: 5 months
The cigar looks basic as does the band. The wrapper is dark brown, though, not deeply. It is constructed smooth with veins that fade right into the wrapper, no leafy look to the wrapper. My stick had no construction issues, not even a nick. The cap is on if part of the body. It isn't firm but not soft, it bounces back ever so slightly. I toast it evenly and lights easily.
Draw: Slightly snug on first puffs but perfect draw there after
Aroma: It does not resonate strongly but a cocoa smell is there when brought close to the nose
Ash: Even waves forming an almost perfect grey cone indicating rolled well; the first log of ash falls at the end of the first third, a little short of the 2" mark
Fumes: When lit it does stream out but when it mellows out, no smoke
Burn: Even and consistent, never went out when left alone
Strength: Medium to Full, I ate dinner lit it at 10:30pm and finished it at 12:40pm, I felt light headed and a tad nauseous afterwards; you won't notice it while smoking it but after you might feel it a little
Tasting Notes:
The scent that it emits out of the hole on the foot while the cigar is still in the clear cellophane cover is of light raisin on tea or tobacco mixed in with oak. The cold draw is similar: raisin on hay or oak. On lighting, it produces notes of sweet tobacco and over baked raisin cookies on the retro-hale. I also get notes of interchanging oak and leather included with those last notes. On the initial light, I get no spiciness.
1 cm in: again more baked raisin cookie accompanying sweet tobacco, you can even say there is hints of black cherry.
1 inch in: it gets peppery and the strength is getting stronger with every puff. I am tasting notes of oak or cedar and leather. Basically the first third is composed of this tasting profile.
The second third in is sweet tobacco, black cherry on cedar (almost like wine), leather and pepper. By close to the end of the second third it mellows out very nicely. At this point, it's like the blend decides to come together and even out the tasting notes. I mean I can still get the taste of leather, raisin, oak but they seem to be more subtle. Yes and the cocoa aroma has come back.
By the end of the second third and into the final third the mellowing of the cigar still has deep notes but changes a little to espresso, mocha and a tad tad tad hint of chocolate. This is when the Joya de Nicaragua Antano is at it's best. Ironically, when I get to the end at about an inch and a half left, when most other cigars begin to get harsh and bitter, this retains it quality tasting notes. It was never harsh or bitter and at this point I had made up my mind that this is a great cigar, great with some roasted chicken. I rate it a 91. It is rich and deep in quality until the very last inch when I have to say goodnight.
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