Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5 x 52 “Robusto”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $4.00

Here is another Nic puro that probably has the same flavors as every other Nic puro: creaminess, cocoa, coffee, nuts, raisin, leather, cedar, sweetness, and earthiness.

CI pulled a stunt on these cigars during a Weekend Spotlight Deal showing the regular retail page price’s as twice what the sale prices were. Thereby, making the sale price look too good to be true. And of course, it was.

At the end of the weekend sale, the prices on the retail page dropped dramatically and being only $10 higher than those sale prices. Not almost twice as much. So it was a bait and switch con. I thought I saved $40. I really only saved $10.

But there is no reason to take out my anger at CI…and cigar.com, for a fine cigar that Joya de Nicaragua has just released.
I have smoked a couple and consider them very good. In fact, I have a notion about what two cigars they taste like at the end of the review.

Here is the bio for the review: JDN is a very old and respected company.
The End. On to the review.

Construction is not bad, but not great either. Each cigar is different in its solidity. Some have soft spots, others don’t. No #9 rollers working on these puppies. Seams are iffy. On some cigars, they are invisible, and on others, they are more than visible. Lots of veins on all of them. The single cap is a bit sloppy on all of them. The wrapper color is nice with that dark chocolate brown and that mottling I find attractive.

I clip the cap and find aromas of your typical Nic puro: spice, cocoa, coffee, cinnamon, baking spices and earth.

BTW- I dry boxed these sticks for over 3 days. The humidity has been low in WI for a few days so I figured it would be safe. But the sticks seem a bit softer than the day before.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are simply delicious. A load of sweetness and a punch of red pepper hit my palate like a ball-peen (I looked up the spelling) hammer.

The draw is perfect and the char line starts off wavy.

This is the epitome of a Nicaraguan puro flavor profile. It will be delicious and flavorful, with character and balance and a long finish. The real upside to this is that they are dirt cheap now. During the weekend spotlight on CI, it appeared that the Robusto was in the $5-$6 range….when obviously it was always meant to cost less than $4.00 ea. by the box.

But I have to say that this cigar is one of the finest $4 cigars I have ever smoked. I like the Nicaraguan profile. I like the spiciness and the cocoa and the creaminess, not yet shown yet. So the real object here is to find the cheapest blend that is identical to the next Nicaraguan cigar. It’s about pricing now. Nicaragua is the rage and the fruit of the decade club. Unfortunately, most cigars show up as clones. Everyone is using the same soil, fermentation, aging, factories, and getting them out the door. It’s like that Will Smith movie, “I, Robot.”

So if I can get that flavor profile I like for a knock around cigar for $4, then that is the one I will buy.

Now of course, there are huge exceptions. There are blenders not cranking out clones. They strive to be different. My friends, Danny Moya and Nelson Ruiz are carefully putting out blends like it is heart surgery. Their Moya Ruiz Habano will be one of the highest rated cigars for 2013. You watch. And remember, that your Uncle Katman said this.

The char line has evened itself out. The first third comes to an end with all the flavors described in my prediction. The body is a steady medium. And the creaminess has shown up. On schedule.

This is a very good cigar. No surprises. But yet, containing tested and proven flavors that work with each other. In essence, I am glad I bought these cigars; even under the circumstances. During the sale, for another $2.50, CI threw in another 5 cigars. And considering how reliable this cigar is, I am happy with it. Just not happy with the buccaneering that went on.

The halfway mark sees some complexity. And balance. Chewy. Very flavorful. This is an inexpensive cigar that can be relied on over and over. While the construction is not consistent, the flavor profile and character are. The cap construction completely falls apart and is a real mess. I have to use scissors to trim it.

I also feel that JDN finally made its venture into the 21st Century with this blend. Every other JDN cigar I’ve smoked has required months and months and months of humidor time. This baby makes inroads on that time issue. Ready to smoke in the first week of receipt and getting those damn cellos off so they can breathe.

The ash is hanging pretty well and for my efforts it will probably fall into my lap or on to the key board. But as I write this, it comes off nicely in the ashtray all by itself. No photo op here.

The last third does the expected waltz of the hippos from “Fantasia.” Flavor explosion. Strength goes for a 54 yard goal attempt. And it is a damn fine cigar.

The cigar finishes out in style. A real flavor bomb. The body hits full bodied and I start to go blind.
I highly recommend this cigar if you are into the flavor profile this cigar brings to the table. The price is right. And it always leaves the customer satisfied.
As far as what I think is a good comparison of the cigar profile…well, I would say it is like My Father Le Bijou meets San Lotano Oval Maduro.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS