Cigar:            Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Consul

Size:             52 x 4.5"

Country:          Nic

Wrapper:          Nic, Shade-grown, dark

Binder:           Nic

Filler:           Nic, Ligero

Flavor Strength:  Medium-Full

NicotineStength:  Medium

Date Received:    2006-02-24

Suspected Age:    OTT

Vendor/Price:     CigarBid 5-pack, $3.79 including shipping

Hype:       Lots.  In the 1970s, this brand was considered to be the finest in not only Nicaragu, but many felt in the entire world. It was actually created in Nicaragua’s first cigar factory founded in 1964. Smoked by US Presidents and renowned for its rich and full flavor. But decades of war in Nicaragua destroyed the brand, and the Communists effectively killed the brand and decimated the factory and most of the rest of the country for that matter.  Well, the new Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 was created to celebrate this brand’s rich heritage and worldwide renown in 1970, and marks a return to those glorious days. ("Antano" is Spanish for 'yesteryear').  Perfectly handcrafted with hearty Nicaraguan ligero draped in a thick, juicy, extra-dark Nicaraguan wrapper for a taste that Cigar Insider awarded a 91. A full-bodied, robust beauty that’s simply delicious.

Beverage(s):      Water, Black Butte Porter

Smoke time:       1:15

Date:             2006-02-25

Posted to ASC:    2006-02-25

Overall score:    3.9/5.0

Overall:    A fine cigar.  Medium-full flavor.  I was expecting something of a powerhouse and was relieved it was not.  After an initial sweet peppery phase, cedar and leather predominate.  Sweetness wanes, yet remained in long finish.  Good construction (except the stem), good smooth smoke and volume, good burn.  Very nice finish.  Not a box purchase as I prefer a somewhat sweeter smoke.  Not sure aging will greatly improve this cigar as there were no real flaws.  

Ambience:   Afternoon in the sunroom.  Not much sun.  Organizing tax records to send off to the accountant.  Poker tonight.

Appearance: Short, stout sucker.  Very dark, dry, matte, mottled, almost veinless, somewhat toothy wrapper.  Double cap.  Gently yielding firmness. 

Cut & Prelight:   Mild, nose tingling, leather aroma.  Cut well yielding a slightly restrictive draw with a sweet black pepper draw flavor.

First third:      Initially, much sweet pepper.  Then, peppered leather.  Then some woodiness arrives (3/4").  Good smoke volume.  Somewhat flakey white ash.  Pepper has waned, now predominantly leather with a woody back.  Sweetening in the aftertaste. 

Second third:     Woodiness has evolved to cedar.  Ash held to 1.5".  Cedar is moving to dominate, with leather in the background.  Hellacious stems running along one side needed a couple of burn corrections. 

Third third:      More cedar, more leather.  New aromatics.  Not sweet.  Nicotine buzz apparent.  Long aftertaste sweetening nicely.  Did not nub it.