Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Gran Reserva Belicoso Review

[Ratters]

Cigar: Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Gran Reserva Belicoso

Price: $12 at the B&M, boxes go for about $165 on the internet

Setting: In the sunroom, probably about 50 degrees out. Paired with a Peach Snapple. Cigar was pulled out of the humidor after a couple days sitting at 65%. Listening to the latest Dogwatch podcast.

Pre-Light: Not much to the pre-light smell. Hints of floral? Nothing like the regular Antano which usually has a bold smell to it. Nice milk chocolate color, kinda rough looking wrapper. Draw seemed a bit tight. Clipped a bit more of the end and draw was still a bit tight.



First third: Lit up nicely, though draw was on the tight side of firm. Hard to get some good smoke out of it. Gave it some squeezes to help the draw which helped a tad but ended up cracking the wrapper in a couple spots. Definitely not the bold taste I'm used to out of the Antanos but was still getting a bit of those floral hints. Minus the cracking and tight draw, the ash was light and holding nicely.



Second third: Still a tight draw but started opening up a bit as I got to the halfway point. Body was medium and the flavors, while good, were still kinda light. Was getting a little pepper on the back of the throat. Having to work at it was decreasing the enjoyment though.



Final third: Body was starting to get full. Draw was easier, though the wrapper cracking was getting annoying toward the end. Flavor was getting better but not the usual kick in the pants I'm used to from JdN. Finish was still on the short side and still have a mild pepper to it.



Final thoughts: This cigar was kinda ruined by the tight draw, but even after it opened up some the rich flavors still weren't there. I guess the aged tobacco in these may have added to the smoothness, but almost to a fault. Flavors were good, just not the intensity I like. Definitely not worth the premium over the regular Antano line, as I think the Camacho Limiteds are over the regular Corojo line.



Ratings: 6 out of 10. Would be a 7 if the draw was better.
Buy again: No, not worth the premium over the regular Antano
Smoke again if gifted: Sure, hopefully one with a better draw.

[Darrell]

These are crap IMHO, I don't really like JDN's much these days. Thanks for the review.

[Blue_R]

Originally Posted by Darrell

These are crap IMHO, I don't really like JDN's much these days. Thanks for the review.

Don't hold back, let us know how you really feel. Just kidding. I couldn't stop laughing when I read your post because I had one of these two weeks ago and about gave myself a hernia trying to get a decent draw out of it and I was thinking the same thing.

I had some JDN Celebracions and Antanos about three month ago and they were pretty good. The last three I've had felt like trying to suck a golf ball through a straw.

[thebiglebowski]

Originally Posted by Blue_R

Don't hold back, let us know how you really feel. Just kidding. I couldn't stop laughing when I read your post because I had one of these two weeks ago and about gave myself a hernia trying to get a decent draw out of it and I was thinking the same thing.

I had some JDN Celebracions and Antanos about three month ago and they were pretty good. The last three I've had felt like trying to suck a golf ball through a straw.

lol - that was funny! definately, stick with the celebracions - can't beat the price point and for an everyday sorta cigar is very good.

[Mr. Ed]

Very nice review. I think out of all the JdN's, the Antano is superior, especially with aging, hopefully I'll have time to review a consul I got as a box a few months ago.

Originally Posted by Blue_R

Don't hold back, let us know how you really feel. Just kidding. I couldn't stop laughing when I read your post because I had one of these two weeks ago and about gave myself a hernia trying to get a decent draw out of it and I was thinking the same thing.

I had some JDN Celebracions and Antanos about three month ago and they were pretty good. The last three I've had felt like trying to suck a golf ball through a straw.

All JdN blends seem to be rolled very tightly, I always keep a poker near me when I smoke one.