What is it about Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Belicoso?

[Cigar Man Andy]

What is it about Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Belicoso that makes me continue to go love them?



They're are not always consistent:
a) They sometimes are hard draw or plugged.
b) The wrappers crack and split when properly humidified.
c) The caps come off half way through the smoke about half the time.
d) Occasional uneven burn, side burn or tunnel burn.
e) A bit pricey.

So what is it that keeps me coming back for over six years.

Cigar Stats
Brand Owner: Tobaccos Puros de Nicaragua, S.A.
Model/Vitola: Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 - Belicoso
Size: 6 x 54
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Criollo
Binder: Nicaragua Habana
Filler: Nicaragua Habana

Here is a cigar with a great peppery taste that I love.

I clip the cigar in the middle of the cap and take a pre-light draw. I feel the strength of the stick and get the taste of the tobacco's spice before I even take a match to it. Hopefully I have a nice draw. Not too easy - not too hard. My first puff reveals a very dense cloud of grayish white smoke. I can feel it's power on my pallet.

As i get through the first third, I start getting a more complex leathery taste mixed with a spicy flavor. It holds a nice ash thick and light gray. The after taste lingers a while which I enjoy immensely.

In the second third, it gets stronger with a little less pepper and more of an earthy spice combination.

It is in the last third where it really gets me going. The pepper comes back into play ant it becomes a real powerhouse. This is not a cigar for the newbie, empty stomach or the faint of heart. The JdNA is an hour e-ticket ride.

As for a-e, well, as a rule 75-80% don't have issues.

a) They sometimes are hard draw or plugged: I have smoke a lot of very pricey and/or rare cigars from AF, Partagas, Pardon and even ISOM RyJ and Hoyo (not counterfeit), that were hard draw or plugged
b) The wrappers crack and split when properly humidified: It happens occasionally. sometimes from packaging at the factory, B&M humidification or weather conditions.
c) The caps come off half way through the smoke about half the time: Its a Belicoso and a double cap. It depends on the the cut and how moist it gets.
d) Occasional uneven burn, side burn or tunnel burn: Deal with it. This cigar is worth a little patience. plus a lot of the time they will correct themselves.
e) A bit pricey: When I started smoking them, they sold for $3.25 each and I was paying about $52.00 a box. As they got more popular, the price increased. As most do. They did switch distributors. On April 25, 2008, Drew Estates replaced SAG Imports as the American distributor of JdN. The price jumped this year from an MSRP of $120.00 a box to $165.00 and is $8.25 a stick. If you are savvy, you can find them for as low as $66.95 a box.

The bottom line: Even though I love Opus, Padron and VSGs, I always come back to the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Belicoso for my go to smoke.

[mrreindeer]

Great review Andy! Thanks! I've had one El Jocko Perfecto and it put me on my a$$. I did like it though!

[PaleRider]

Nice Review Andy. I love this blend too. I agree with you completely on the periodic issues with the belicoso's. I have found that the Churchill's and the Robusto Grande in this blend are altogether different in terms of construction and performance though.

I have 3 boxes of the Robusto Grande in my cabinet right now. Awesome Cigar!

[Cigar Man Andy]

I also love the Consoul, Churchill and Robusto and don't have the same issues. The one I really have an issue with is the Gran Consoul.

I like to think that I can smoke any cigar and be okay. Hell. I can smoke a Opus xXx Power Ranger on an empty stomach and be OK. BUT my ego took a major beating after I smoked the GC. I had to sit for 20 minutes afterwards.

IMHO that gar Kicked My Arse.

LOL...

[Scud]

Originally Posted by PaleRider

I have 3 boxes of the Robusto Grande in my cabinet right now. Awesome Cigar!

You're probably the reason the place I'm trying to order 2 boxes from is out of stock I do have 3 boxes of the Belicoso, but wanted to complete the full house while they're still on sale

[PaleRider]

I know what you mean. My most recent review on www.cigarinspector.com was on the JdN Grande Robusto. It definitely isn't a blend for the uninitiated.

I have enjoyed the Belicosos that I have smoked. They do have a difficult draw sometimes, with burn issues. I suppose that is why I purchase them as singles as opposed to by the box. I find it interesting how different the flavor profile the Belicoso has compared to the GR and the Church. which are quite similiar IMHO.

Scud, sorry if I am tying up supplies of these, but damn, they are just too good not to have several around! I had heard about the distribution change from SAG to Drew Estates, I had heard that it was going to be discontinued (Antano 1970 Blend) and it is for SAG, however it will be distributed as the Casa Magna through SAG. Drew Estates will continue to distribute it as the Antano 1970 blend, thankfully! I know that the price is coming up on these, but the availability should be much better than it was.

This could be a good thing, but it could also be a bad thing if quality gets shortcutted in favor of more production. I guess I'm still a little leery after the boom.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Cigar Man Andy

I also love the Consoul, Churchill and Robusto and don't have the same issues. The one I really have an issue with is the Gran Consoul.

I like to think that I can smoke any cigar and be okay. Hell. I can smoke a Opus xXx Power Ranger on an empty stomach and be OK. BUT my ego took a major beating after I smoked the GC. I had to sit for 20 minutes afterwards.

IMHO that gar Kicked My Arse.

LOL...

[Cigar Man Andy]

Check out the price at Cigar Place. Old price still. RG for less than $60

[RicoPuro]

Definitely not for the fain of heart. I just finished one on a full belly and the BUZZZZ, what a BUZZZ!!

Gotta love'em though...

[gvarsity]

I do enjoy the beli. Anyone ever try the lancero? Seems like it would be an interesting experience.

[Cigar Man Andy]

Originally Posted by gvarsity

I do enjoy the beli. Anyone ever try the lancero? Seems like it would be an interesting experience.

The Lancero is one of the best. Hard to find, but I like a - da cha cha... I mean I like the Lancer the best.