Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion Consul Review

[craigchilds]

Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion Consul
Size: 4.5 x 52
Wrapper: Criollo
Filler: Nicaraguan Puro
Price: $4

Joya de Nicaragua cigars were first created in 1968 in the first tobacco factory in Central America. They have not always been available in the U.S., the victim of government instability and a complicated history of trademark ownership. Today, the brand is owed by Tabacos Puros de Nicaragua S.A and the cigars are onced again manufactured in Nicaragua and made entirely with Nicaraguan tobacco. The Celebracion itself was named one of the Top 25 Cigars of 2004.

I paired this cigar with a Yuengling lager on a chilly New Year's Day afternoon.

Featuring a dark brown criollo wrapper, the first thing I noticed about this cigar was a rich, full prelight aroma and a peppery taste on the tongue. When I toasted the foot with my lighter, I was surprised at how strong and spicy the cigar was, particularly since I had read that the Celebraction is viewed by many as the "milder cousin" of the Antano 1970 line. Based on online reviews, I was expecting tastes of cedar and nuts; instead I was pleasantly surprised to get notes of deep spice.

While the strength does abate somewhat, this could not be called anything except full-flavored and full-bodied. It reminded me a lot of the Padron 1926, except somewhat harsher. The only drawbacks were some inconsistent burning, a slight tendency to canoe at the halfway point, and a tight draw. None of these were severe problems, and I think they could have been alleviated by storing at a lower humidity (maybe around 66% or so).

I would definitely try this cigar again. However, I no longer have a desire to try the Antano 1970 line. If it's any stronger than the Celebracion, it will definitely be too strong.

[krash]

Thanks for the review. I have seen these, but never tried one. I do enjoy the fuller cigar blends.

[smokin5]

This is a lot milder than the Antano, BUT it's a whole lot tastier & more interesing IMHO. I wouldn't call the Celabraccion any more than the fuller side of medium. Nice buttery sweet/spicy flavors throughout the stick. I've had about 6 of the consuls, but I've not had the canoeing problems you had. Humidification issue?

Thanks for the review!

[Marlboro Cigars]

Thanks for the great review.

[nosaj02]

Great review! I just won a 5er on CBID as well as the Antano and I cant wait to try them both.

[Dblbogie]

Originally Posted by smokin5

This is a lot milder than the Antano, BUT it's a whole lot tastier & more interesing IMHO. I wouldn't call the Celabraccion any more than the fuller side of medium. Nice buttery sweet/spicy flavors throughout the stick. I've had about 6 of the consuls, but I've not had the canoeing problems you had. Humidification issue?

Thanks for the review!

I have enjoyed both the Antano and Celebracion lines by JdN. I agree that the Celebracion is "a whole lot tastier & interesting" but in a very suble way while the Antano, is just "in your face"

[Finfan]

I just finished one of these that had aged for one year and it was great! I would call it the fuller side of medium (on a fullness scale of 1-10, say a 6.75). Creamy, spicy, cedary, all in pretty good balance. I know the harshness you mention because it was there a year ago, but was almost nonexistent now. I purged a lot towards the end, which helped keep the above flavors unadulterated. Very very nice. Cant wait to smoke the rest of em.

[craigchilds]

Originally Posted by Finfan

I know the harshness you mention because it was there a year ago, but was almost nonexistent now. I purged a lot towards the end, which helped keep the above flavors unadulterated.

What do you mean by "purged a lot towards the end"?

[Finfan]

Originally Posted by craigchilds

What do you mean by "purged a lot towards the end"?

Purging is when you blow out for 15 or so seconds hard to heat up the burning coal and burn off some of the nasty stuff--keeps it from building up and funking up the cigar. i remember (when i didnt know what purging was) reading that people were purging during cigars and I thought it meant that they were throwing up, and i thought hmmmm never thrown up before from a smoke.

here's a link that explains it pretty well. a ways down the page they call it "superheating the coal" I do this after the ash falls off (to start fresh) and also, if, in the last 1/3, it starts getting harsh. there's a point where it doesnt do any good because the smoke is too small and basically you have a lot of the funky stuff (they call it oloresin on the site i linked to). you should also do this if the smoke goes out and you light it again. I consider myself still pretty much a noob, and i may be wrong about some of what ive typed here.

http://www.tabacordillera.com/how-to...uban-cigar.htm

[RHNewfie]

Thanks for the review! I got a box of these in the mail today!

[Boston_Dude05]

I'd recommend the Antano if you liked the Celebracion. Not that much stronger. I found the Antano sweeter tasting actually.

[smokemifyagotem]

Originally Posted by Boston_Dude05

I'd recommend the Antano if you liked the Celebracion. Not that much stronger. I found the Antano sweeter tasting actually.

Agreed. I like the Celebrations, but find the Antanos have a little more depth and a tad more sweetness. Def stronger as well, but if you give em 6 mos. the harshness fades and you have a top tier smoke IMO. Love those Antanos!

[craigchilds]

Originally Posted by Finfan

http://www.tabacordillera.com/how-to...uban-cigar.htm

excellent article. I'm going to try the purging technique from now on.

[MarkinCA]

Originally Posted by Finfan

Purging is when you blow out for 15 or so seconds hard to heat up the burning coal and burn off some of the nasty stuff--

http://www.tabacordillera.com/how-to...uban-cigar.htm

[SIZE=3]I agree and thats what I love about this site. You always learn something new. Like everytime you log-on...[/SIZE]

[Finfan]

Originally Posted by craigchilds

excellent article. I'm going to try the purging technique from now on.

Glad the link was helpful.