Blind Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua | Cuatro Cinco Reserva Especial Toro

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6.25″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Joya de Nicaragua
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 4—–Gregg (McGreggor57) Stefan (Stefan) Alan (Eulogy) Jessica (Cigar Ninja)
Price: $11.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2015
Contributed by: Drew Estate

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“A beautiful dark box press. This cigar is relatively free from veins and visible seams. Some minor lifting near the cap is the only blemish.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Aroma: 89

“Faintly sweaty leather notes emanate from the wrapper, and spiced gingerbread flavors from the foot. The cold draw reveals what seems like a very high nicotine level.” –Stefan (Stefan)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Notes of cacao nibs and cafe cortado drive the first third initially, followed by a brief episode of toffee notes, then faint cinnamon, nutmeg and white pepper spices. Toward the end, bitter dark chocolate flavors take the lead.” –Stefan (Stefan)

“There is a note that I can’t quite place that balances the muddy, earthy note very well at the onset of this cigar. Also, balancing that mud is a mixture of baking spices and bready notes akin to the smell of a dough rising so more like a yeasty note. The ash is a mix of dark and light gray and holds for about a 1/2″ to 3/4″ in fairly windy beach conditions and the draw is way too loose for my liking despite a short cut.” –Jessica (Cigar Ninja)

Second Third

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

“More focused cacao notes and a smoked flavor defines the second third. The smoked flavor continues into the medium-long finish, joined by white pepper notes.” –Stefan (Stefan)

“The profile hasn’t changed much from the first third. Leather, tobacco, black tea and red pepper still make for a very enjoyable smoke. The retrohale has changed a little, but is still delivering heavy cream and a nice woody flavor with a bright menthol like finish.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Leather and cedar begin to push the coffee into the background. Finally, the flavors of this cigar achieve a nice balance. A faint nuttiness is a welcome addition. Some of the initial pepper returns as the cigar winds down.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“Just before the last third ended there was finally a real profile change. A slight nuttiness has developed with leather and the nice peppery finish that has been present throughout the experience. The retrohale is only unsweetened heavy cream now but does provide a very nice contrast to the draw. The nicotine has spiked considerably over this third.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 88

“A quite excellent draw, overall.” –Stefan (Stefan)

Burn: 92

“The burn was a little wavy throughout the smoking experience but it didn’t require any touch-ups and stayed lit the entire time.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 90

“Some burn and draw issues with my sample.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 90

“This was a cigar I desperately wanted to like based on its appearance. The bitterness and burn issues during the first third were disappointing. Although the flavors started coming together in the middle, it was the final third that brought it home. I would smoke that profile any day. Sadly, getting to the final third with the combined burn, draw and bitterness is a lot of effort. This cigar falls short of making it into my rotation.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“A strong yet relatively approachable cigar that could use better focus or more complexity.” –Stefan (Stefan)

“This was a great cigar with a flavor profile that was excellent and kept me engaged throughout the smoking experience. I could easily see myself picking up a fiver of these and recommending this to others.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“I enjoy “dirty” cigars more than most people and this was an enjoyable cigar for me, I just wish that there was more flavor to it and I feel that the loose draw led to a lack of flavor. I’m wondering what other flavors I might have missed because the draw was so loose. At times, I literally felt like I was puffing on clouds of air.” –Jessica (Cigar Ninja)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 86

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Gregg	McGreggor57)	92	90	88	88	90	88	88	88	88
Stefan	Stefan)	88	88	88	88	88	90	92	90	88
Alan	Eulogy)	92	90	95	92	95	90	90	92	95
Jessica	Cigar Ninja)	90	90	90	88	88	83	97	90	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

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Blind Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua | Cuatro Cinco Reserva Especial Toro