Blind Review: Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut

I’ve always enjoyed Joya de Nicaragua cigars and their many varied lines. Their bold Nicaraguan puros like Antano are always a pleasure to smoke because of their robust flavors. The newest addition to the Antano line—the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut—is a departure in that it wears an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper rather than a Nicaraguan wrapper.  A Connecticut wrapper can aid in adding nuance to a blend while not overwhelming the filler tobaccos. When done poorly it can create a lackluster experience in terms of flavors. The key is in being able to utilize the flavor of the wrapper to accent what’s inside.

Smoking the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut blind was a great way to test the wrapper to filler theory unfettered by any preconceptions.

Blend Specifics

• Cigar Reviewed: Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Size: 5’x 52 (Robusto)

Appearance and Construction

The Joya de Nicaragua Antano’s light wrapper has few veins and is sleek looking with a well-made cap. The cigar is spongy—squeezing it has bit of give.  Smelling the foot gives distinct raisins, wood and cinnamon spice.

Flavor & Smoking Characteristics

With my palio cutter I surgically clip a straight cut and take a dry draw. What emerges is a mustiness followed by oak and cinnamon. I light up the cigar using matches (regretfully those I picked up from the now shuttered doors of the Nat Sherman Townhouse) and allow the sulfur to burn off before taking flame to tobacco.  With the initial puff, floral and tea notes begin filling my mouth and linger there for a moment. Another draw gives me the sensation of leather with honeyed tea on the finish. The smoke thus far is proving to be subtle and I’m able to pick up cedar and creaminess along with nuts and café.

Near the middle of the cigar, coffee and leather pick up leaving café au lait on the mouthfeel. Around this time I notice there is a crack developing on the side of the wrapper, though thankfully it isn’t affecting the flavor.

A few puffs later, a sudden sweetness comes through which layers on top of almonds and espresso. I take a retrohale where oak and cinnamon lightly fill my sinus. The smoke carries a mild to medium profile with flavors that are discerning yet not overwhelming.

Smoking into the final third, the coffee and nuts return. Another retrohale gives me the cinnamon like before but less pronounced.  An interesting change here is how the leather and dryness engrosses my palate without the creaminess that was pervasive during the start of the cigar. At the same time, some floral notes with Earl Gray tea and leather resonate in my mouth.

My last few puffs bring forth more of the wood and tea along with a short finish.

This was a tasty Connecticut blend all in all.

Conclusion

The Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut is a fine example of the flavors possible in a Connecticut wrapper. The blend creates a creaminess with oak, leather and wood that remain in a medium profile throughout the smoke. I enjoy this style in a morning cigar with some espresso. It’s a wonderful balance in tasting. The expressions of the Antano Connecticut seemed to capture the essence of a what a morning to midday cigar is about, with no flavors coming on too strong. Despite crack in the wrapper the subtleties were pleasurable. I would recommend having a few of these in your humidor.

Final Rating. 90