Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra Media Noche – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

General Cigar updated their Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra in 2019 to be made by AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua instead of HATSA in Honduras. Despite being made at a new factory, the blend stayed the same, but used AJ’s fermentation and aging methods. In this case that blend is an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder, and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra comes in three vitolas: Espresso (4 1/2 x 50) – $7.99, Media Noche (5 3/4 x 54) – $8.49, and Noche (6 1/2 x 52) – $8.59.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 5 3/4″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Connecticut broadleaf (USA)
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Honduras
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 4 – Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Sean F. (fullermaine) Matt Cade (CadeTNCC) Vance T. (Vance)
Price: $8.49
Age: 1 Year
Release Date: July 2019
Contributed by: General Cigar

Initial Impressions – Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra Media Noche

Appearance: 93

“Very attractive dark brown wrapper with a nice oily sheen and a little bit of marbling. The seams are invisible, indicating the cigar is very expertly rolled. There are a few raised veins running throughout.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Aroma: 90

“Notes of sweet licorice on the cold draw. Once lit, notes of burnt toast come through.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cold draw reveals a touch of earth and sweetness. Upon ignition, there’s a tingling jalapeño spice through the nose and it’s partnered with a medium cedar note and a strong black coffee presence on the draw. These flavors all work very well together here in the early goings. Construction is impressive as well with a smooth open draw and a straight burn line. Around the one inch mark that retrohale spice settles down quite a bit and it is joined by a growing mineral component.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

“The cigar lights up beautifully and burns solidly to just over an inch before I carelessly ash in my lap. The flavors so far are pleasant, with a lovely sweetness resembling vanilla custard, balanced, if not overpowered by a rich earthiness and a blast of red pepper on the retrohale. There are 2 things preventing me from loving the profile in this third: the earthiness is heavier than I like, and the lingering note between puffs is a mild, but noticeable vegetal.” –Vance T. (Vance)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Moving into the second third, the cherry notes have faded, and the cigar has taken on a more of a woody, nutty profile. Damp cedar is there, along with walnuts. The chocolate and sweet cream are still there in the finish, as is the cinnamon. The retrohale is still very mild, although it is starting to increase in pepper intensity. Burn and draw continue to perform top-notch!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“Black pepper notes give way to sweet tea notes. Just right amount of sweetness and tea coming through.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Getting into the final third, the nutty, woodsy notes are now dominant, and there is now a hint of sourdough bread in the profile that actually brings up the profile. Pepper has increased in intensity as well, that is now more of a fresh ground black peppercorn. The anise that was present early on in the retrohale is back as well and creates a very nice finish on the retrohale.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Overall Impressions – Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra Media Noche

Draw: 95

“Draw was solid start to finish.” –Vance T. (Vance)

Burn: 94

“Nice even burn with a grey-white ash.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 95

“Overall construction was great throughout the smoking experience.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“This cigar was a very fun experience. The pre-light aromas were excellent, and the dessert-like start with black cherries and chocolate was very memorable. As the cigar developed, the sweetness faded, but the creaminess did not, allowing very smooth and fluid delivery of the flavor profile. The spicy finish was fitting to such a sweet start. The cigar stayed in the medium range in strength and body throughout and would be a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. It seemed familiar to me, so I am looking forward to finding out what this cigar is!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“Lots of interesting notes. Sugar and spice notes mixed with tea, hickory, and yeast notes, however, not a cigar I’d want in my humidor or seek out.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This enjoyable cigar featured great construction from start to finish. While there was not a great deal of complexity present, the transitions in both strength and dominant flavors (especially in the second third) were quite enjoyable. While I wish the creaminess had stuck around longer, the bold cedar and mostly consistent spice danced very well together throughout the smoking experience.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

“I enjoyed this cigar all the way through. There was nothing offensive or harsh about it, and it only suffered from some imbalance in the first third a lack of real flavor development throughout. I don’t think I’d rush out to find a box of these, but I’d certainly smoke it again if it was in the $10 range.” –Vance T. (Vance)

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Hoyo La Amistad Dark Sumatra Media Noche – Blind Cigar Review