Blind Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua | Antaño CT Robusto

Cigar Info

Back in June, Joya de Nicaragua unveiled a Connecticut shade-wrapped line extension Antaño line called the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT. The word Antaño translates in Spanish to “Yesteryear”. The Antaño CT is the fourth in the Antaño line with original Antaño, Antaño Reserva, and Antaño Dark Corojo.

The blend for Antaño CT, uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, and Nicaraguan filler and binder. The company describes it as medium to full body and strength. Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT comes in 20-count and in 4 sizes: 6×54 Belicoso (MSRP $ 9.90), 6×50 Toro (MSRP $9.70), 5×52 Robusto (MSRP $8.45), and 5¼x46 Corona Gorda (MSRP $8.00).

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Juan Martinez, Alejandro Martinez Cuenca
Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan (Eulogy) James H. (Keikan Jim) John I. (John I.) Kevin J. (maninblack77) Nate H. (SineQuaNon)
Price: $8.45
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2019
Contributed by: Joya De Nicaragua

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“Beautiful blonde colored wrapper with a seamless look and feel to it. Silky smooth. No significant veins present. Just a beautiful looking cigar. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Aroma: 91

“I’m getting notes of hay, tobacco, brown sugar, and nuts on the cold draw. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Starts out very mild. There’s a salted peanuts, leather, coffee, and tobacco profile on the draw. The smoke output is great and the retrohale adds a nice blast of pepper that is missing from the draw. A slight molasses note starts to build about an inch in that is adding a nice occasional syrupy sweetness. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“After putting fire to it, I’m immediately met by those dry grass notes but also a slight spice element in the back of my throat. A few puffs in and the sweetness I smelled on the foot greets me. It’s not overpowering at all, just a slight almost salted caramel flavor that is very appealing. The creaminess of this cigar is amazing. Definitely one I would smoke in the morning with some cuban coffee. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“Not a lot of changes flavor wise in the second third. Same dry grass and slight sweetness. I cant get over the creaminess of this thing. It just costs your mouth. Very mild but very enjoyable. I also get some nuttiness from the second third, almost like a salted cashew. Onto the final third. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The cigar remains rather sweet, but pleasantly so. The burn and draw are spot on at this point, though the ash did collapse far sooner than expected. Since the cigar is burning so quickly, it would seem to be rolled less tightly, which would account for both aspects. Not a complaint, just an observation.” –Nate H. (SineQuaNon)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Lots more of the same. A little crisper with growing sharpness and some bright mineral notes. Nearing the end there is a bit more pronounced roasted earthy apparent. ” –John I. (John I.)

“More of the same, not a bad thing but some new flavors here and there would have been a nice change of pace. For a mild cigar, this thing is a winner. Definite morning smoke. The slight sweetness and nuttiness would make me keep coming back to these. Very enjoyable. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 96

“Really exceptional, very responsive without getting too hot. Couldn’t ask for much more. ” –John I. (John I.)

Burn: 95

“Though the burn started slightly wavy, it self corrected and became solid and straight relatively quickly. Not many cigars out there that can claim to do the same; I was very impressed.” –Nate H. (SineQuaNon)

Construction: 95

“Magnificent creature this. Great draw, super sexy burn, what more could you ask for?” –John I. (John I.)

Overall Strength: Mild-Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 93

“If you are a fan of mild cigars this is a real winner. The depth of flavors were terrific, smoke output was phenomenal, and profile changes kept me engaged. I would certainly smoke this again and again. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This cigar was good but far from great. I loved the flavors but there was not enough complexity throughout the smoke. This cigar would pair well with coffee and cream in the morning or a very light floral Scotch in the evening. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)

“The construction here is really exceptional. Really very well done. Contributed significantly to the overall experience of this cigar. Flavor wise things were pleasant for the duration if not really stunningly good. Crisp, clean, with some occasional notes of cream and herbs breaking up a fairly monotonous session. ” –John I. (John I.)

“Overall I’d score this a great. Would make a very good morning cigar. Flavors were on point for a mild cigar and the construction was near flawless. I would definitely smoke more of these. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“Overall this cigar was quite satisfying, though there was minimal complexity, and the sweetness was a bit lackluster towards the end. It burned like a champ and didn’t give me any problems, though. If this cigar is priced at a reasonable point, I’d recommend picking one up to try.” –Nate H. (SineQuaNon)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 72

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua | Antaño CT Robusto

Overall Score – 93 – Great