Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Machito Review

[zipa]

Nose (cold): Cedar, horse, leather
Nose (warm): Cocoa? Surprisingly faint.
Pre-light: coffee
1/3: STRONG!!! Salty, spicy. Some burn issues, maybe still too humid? Becomes a bit more mellow towards end of 1/3.
2/3: Bit more mellow than in the beginning, hints of coffee and leather. Still quite strong, though. More burn issues towards end of this third.
3/3: The strong spice is replaced with a nice coffee and cocoa flavor and a rich tobacco flavor. Definitely getting better still. Leaves me sitting with a buzz...

Boy, did this little, innocent looking stick take me by surprise! Definitely one of the strongest cigars that I've ever smoked. A somewhat uneven burn and a tendency to go out rather fast takes away a bit from the experience, but I'm giving this stick a definite thumbs up still!

[Ratters]

Yep, a little powerhouse. I really like the consul size as one of my favorites. And the burn issues are pretty common across the line. You have to smoke them at just the right pace or the tend to go out or do wierd things.

[lordlister]

I think you hit the nail on the head with this review. This is a surpisingly good smoke and a decent value!

[dccraft]

Just finished my first one of these at lunch today. I agree with your review. A bit too much buzz for work! Now to get back to it!!

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by Ratters

Yep, a little powerhouse. I really like the consul size as one of my favorites. And the burn issues are pretty common across the line. You have to smoke them at just the right pace or the tend to go out or do wierd things.

I have not had many burn issues with this brand. Do you dry box them before you smoke? That seems to help out.

[jm0307]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ed

I have not had many burn issues with this brand. Do you dry box them before you smoke? That seems to help out.

I should have followed the dry boxing advice. I recently bought a box of the Antano 1970 Belicoso and I too experienced burn problems with every cigar. I also had minor draw problems with each and every one of these tightly rolled and very heavy cigars.

However, the taste was great, and in spite of minor draw and burn problems, I would recommend this line. I have three left and will try to dry them gently...

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by jm0307

I should have followed the dry boxing advice. I recently bought a box of the Antano 1970 Belicoso and I too experienced burn problems with every cigar. I also had minor draw problems with each and every one of these tightly rolled and very heavy cigars.

However, the taste was great, and in spite of minor draw and burn problems, I would recommend this line. I have three left and will try to dry them gently...

The draw on these is a little tight, and they are very hefty smokes, and I think it is because they are just rolled with so much tobacco.

[Ratters]

I think my birthday present to myself in October will be a box of these. As for the dry boxing, yeah I've been doing that lately and it does seem to help, though mostly I smoke the Consul size which doesn't have as many of the burn/draw problems of the other sizes.

[BlackIrish]

Great review! I've enjoyed all of the vitolas in the Antano 1970 line, but the consul is a favorite. The Celebracion line has a similar flavor profile but a bit less punch. Both are excellent. I haven't faced the burn problems, but I tend to keep mine at a lower RH.

[Ratters]

Originally Posted by BlackIrish

Great review! I've enjoyed all of the vitolas in the Antano 1970 line, but the consul is a favorite. The Celebracion line has a similar flavor profile but a bit less punch. Both are excellent. I haven't faced the burn problems, but I tend to keep mine at a lower RH.

It's funny, I LOVE the Antano, smoke at least three a week, but I can't stand the Celebration. I've tried two and couldn't finish either of them.

[Don Fernando]

People told me that this little 120 mm ring 42 cigar would be a handful even though the size doesn’t scare anybody, a real powerhouse in disguise so I had my hopes up high. The aroma was quite heavy and reminded me of manure, the wrapper is dark, the cigar feels hard without any weak spots and the predraw is quite heavy with a taste of raisin.

The first flavor that is released is a very strong pepper, combined with wood flavors and a little bit of leather on the background. After a short while the wood & leather are replaced by coffee which is soon to be replaced by leather. The pepper drops in strength after about an inch although the flavor is consistent available throughout the whole cigar. At the end there are some hints of cacao with pepper.

The smoke is thick & white and caused my eyes to tear every now and then. The ash is very dark

Would I buy this cigar again? Yes, it is a nice strong cigar for a small price.

Construction: 14 / 20
Draw: 12 / 20
Appearance: 14 / 20
Smoke && ash: 8 / 10
Burn: 18 / 20
Aroma (foot) 7 / 10
Aroma (body) 8 / 10
Aroma (head) 7 / 10

[roughrider]

I smoke one a week ago and loved it.