Joya de Nicaragua Antano Review

[itsme_timd]

What a great evening to try a new cigar. A clear and cool night found me relaxing in a leather recliner at a local jazz club with a nice drink in one hand, a Joya de Nicaragua Antano in the other and a beautiful blonde by my side...... OK, OK, you got me - I grabbed the Joya and headed out to my garage with a cup of coffee and XM playing some soft jazz while my yellow lab stared at me. Mostly the same, just depends on your perspective.

As a newbie, I really stepped it up with this full-bodied cigar. Others warned me that I was too much a greenhorn for this smoke - but I tried it anyhow.



VISUAL
A nice, chocolaty coloration overall, very consistent color. Slightly veiny in spots. The wrapper was mildly oily and smooth to the touch. A light pinch on the body delivered a pleasent firmness.

LIGHTING
The cigar lit very well, quite easy to light with a heavy draw from the start and a consistent burn.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This cigar draws heavy from the start, for me the taste was harsh at first and had me a little worried. I gave it a few more puffs, every minute or so and the flavor did improve. Burn rate was good at the beginning. Ash was nice and tight, I have to say this is the best piece of ash I've had in a while.



FLAVOR
I found this cigar deliciously mouth-watering. After the initial issues the taste improved greatly. Full-flavored and mysterious. Each initial draw produced a slight sweetness that disappeared as soon as you became mentally aware of it. Rich coffee and spices were dominant in this one, with a finish hinting at bittersweet chocolate. Good stuff!

BURN QUALITY
The Joya started out great but began to burn uneven mid-way through. A nice and steady burn altogether, even the lopsidedness stayed consistent once it got off track.







FINISH
Taste remained consistent throughout and was very enjoyable. I liked the flavor of this cigar a lot, very complex. Sometimes I found my self thinking too hard on the flavors I was experiencing to try to unravel the mystery of this smoke.

I guess I'll start to listen more to those that have more knowledge than I do on cigars, this was definitely too full-bodied for me - I got a pretty wicked buzz off this cigar! Whoah!

If you like a nice, full-bodied cigar I'd recommend this one. I'm still too much of a n00b for something this full-bodied - but I enjoyed the experience!

[Ratters]

Great review!

These are one of my frequent smokes. Was that the Consul size or Gran Consul? I love the rich flavors and the nic kick. Of course after my motorcycle accident last year I didn't smoke for a month, and had a churchill one of these as my first smoke back. Let's just say puking on crutches is not a good thing.

[itsme_timd]

Originally Posted by Ratters

Was that the Consul size or Gran Consul?

Hey Ratters, thanks for the comments - this is my first review ever! This one was the Consul size.

[Ratters]

I really like that size. I bought 50 last time they were on Joe Cigar. I also like the Machito which is a corona size. Great first review.

[Blue_R]

I really like the taste of these but always feel like I'm trying to suck a golf ball through a garden hose to get a decent amount of smoke.

Good review and great pics.

[fizguy]

Thanks for the review!

I had my first JdN antono yesterday also. I had it in my humi for about a year and always passed it over when selecting a cigar. So when I was pulling a few out for a post-happy-hour-post-work smoke I decided the time had come. I didn't feel I could review it as I smoked it in the car on the way home (not able to give it my full attention) and I didn't finish it (tossed it when I got home). But I did enjoy the part I was able to and plan to purchase more.

[goalie204]

Thanks for the review! I tried this smoke also as a greeny and enjoyed it very much. Strong but not overwhelming like some i've had. Safe as long as the stomach is full of a good meal!

[taltos]

Originally Posted by Ratters

I really like that size. I bought 50 last time they were on Joe Cigar. I also like the Machito which is a corona size. Great first review.

If the Consul got him buzzed, the Machito, which is my favorite, would kill him. To the op, if you smoke a Machito, do it on an empty stomache and pictures please.

[JohnnyFlake]

Thanks for a very well done review! I love all the Antano's, but it's hard to beat the consul for a great 45/60 minute smoke!

[itsme_timd]

Originally Posted by taltos

To the op, if you smoke a Machito, do it on an empty stomache and pictures please.

I'd give it a shot but not sure it would be very legible!!!

[andrewsutherland2002]

Absolutely love this stick! If it's too strong for you as a noob, come back and revisit it in a year or so. It'll be worth it.

[Ratters]

Originally Posted by taltos

If the Consul got him buzzed, the Machito, which is my favorite, would kill him. To the op, if you smoke a Machito, do it on an empty stomache and pictures please.

Are you sure on the Machito, that's there smallest one, a corona size. Yeah, every once in awhile I pull out the churchill size when I really need a good buzz. I think I'm down to my last couple, have to get some more of those.

Hmmm, just realized I've never done a review of these myself, gotta put it on the docket.

[Cigar Man Andy]

Thanks for the review. Nice job.

JDNA is my go to smoke every day. I smoke the Belicoso 6 x 54. If you think the Consul was strong, well, let's just say don.t try the Belicoso or the Gran Consul.

If you like the flavor but not the strength, you might try the JDN Celebration. Similar taste but less lethal. Thanks again for the review and keep it up.

[taltos]

Originally Posted by Ratters

Are you sure on the Machito, that's there smallest one, a corona size. Yeah, every once in awhile I pull out the churchill size when I really need a good buzz. I think I'm down to my last couple, have to get some more of those.

Hmmm, just realized I've never done a review of these myself, gotta put it on the docket.

I have found that to me the corona size is much more potent than the consul. Might just be me.

[itsme_timd]

Hi Andy, thanks for the tip on the JdN Celebration, I'll have to try that one. Flavor on this was fantastic, just threw me for a loop!