Joya de Nicaragua added another line to their Joya series at IPCPR 2018, JoyaSilver. It joins the Joya Red, Joya Black, and Joya Cabinetta. This line is the first box-pressed of the series and uses a Oscuro upper-priming wrapper grown in Ecuador. From there it has a binder from Mexico and filler leaves from Nicaragua.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
JoyaSilver comes in four sizes: Ultra – 6.25 x 46, $6.30/cigar, Toro – 6 x 52, $7.80/cigar, Corona – 5.25 x 42, $6.30/cigar, Robusto – 5 x 50, $7.10/cigar.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Lonsdale Length: 6 1/4″ Ring Gauge: 46 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Oscuro Binder: Mexico Filler: Nicaragua Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A. Blender: Juan Martinez Number of reviewers: 4 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (Bostoneo) Mickey T. (irratebass) John I. (John I.) Price: $6.30 Age: 6 Months Release Date: August 2018 Contributed by: Joya De Nicaragua
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“This cigar is very silky smooth to the touch. It’s box pressed and looks to possibly be a lonsdale in size with a bark colored wrapper. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Aroma: 89
“A nice loose draw reveals sweet fruity flavors and the wrapper and foot exude faint scents of cherry and cocoa.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Light-Medium
“Leather and spice envelop the whole palate, both doing a guitar dual to win the too spot. A heavy dose of cream joins soon after. Really a very flavorful stick.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Pre-light flavors of sweet straw. Opens very chocolaty with some definite sweetness. There’s a bit of somewhat harsh earth early, particularly on the retrohale, but it passes quickly. Twenty minutes in and it’s developed a really nice creaminess with a ton of chocolate sweetness still front and center. ” –John I. (John I.)”
Second Third
Flavor: 92 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Mostly leather and cream make it into the second third. The finish has a perfume floral note trying to push its way through. The perfume floral quickly turns to brown sugar sweetness. Brown sugar and the floral notes quickly negotiate to a sweet hay. Loving everything going in here.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Middle portion continues to display the sweet chocolate cream that developed in the initial third. Really great smoke. My only critique is that I’m wishing it was a bit more potent. ” –John I. (John I.)
Final Third
Flavor: 92 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Smooth, medium profiled cocoa, leather, buttery goodness get things rolling off on the right foot on this final third. We end with a similar profile with a bit more body and earthiness with black pepper. Definitely the best third. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“And this is where things get really good. The chocolate notes have given way to really nice espresso flavors with a bit of sweetness on the finish. I’d been looking for a bit more body, and the potency has picked up here toward the end. Still pretty well within the medium range, but ending really nicely. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“Draw was very nice and open, no complaints” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Burn: 90
“Burn was incredible, no touch ups were needed. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Construction: 96
“Aside from some fairly nit picky burn issues this was a really well made smoke. ” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 93
“I loved this cigar, it was so busy. The cigar really has a personality all its own. Had some strange and interesting transitions. A great cigar to smoke.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Overall, this was a good standard issue smoke. I enjoyed the dominate profile it offered throughout, especially towards the end when the flavors really amp up and became easier to distinguish. Wouldn’t mind keeping 10 or so of these easy smokers in my stash for a relaxing, no bullshit, smoke. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Man this stinks, I really like the size & shape of this cigar, but sadly the cigar Gods were not on my side with this one. They teased me in the beginning with walnuts,orange peel and powdered cocoa, but then BAM they took it all away and left me with just HINTS of chocolate. I would not smoke this cigar again. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Great good stuff here. I wanted a bit more power early on, and it finally delivered in the finale. Super chocolaty in the early going, developing to a nice rich espresso finish at the end. If there was any problem here it’s that it was maybe just a little too polite to start. I’d still be happy to smoke a ton more. ” –John I. (John I.)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 70
Reviewer
Apr
Aro
1/3
2/3
3/3
Draw
Burn
Const
Ovr
All
Ryan H.
90
88
92
95
90
93
90
90
92
John A.
90
90
88
88
90
97
88
95
90
Mickey T.
90
85
88
80
78
93
97
97
75
John I.
95
92
95
92
95
95
92
95
95
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua | Silver Ultra
Summary
"Great good stuff here. I wanted a bit more power early on, and it finally delivered in the finale. Super chocolaty in the early going, developing to a nice rich espresso finish at the end. If there was any problem here it's that it was maybe just a little too polite to start. I'd still be happy to smoke a ton more. " -John I. (John I.)
