Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Earlier this year, Joya de Nicaragua announced a new size in their Antaño CT line. The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale is available exclusively for Club de Amigos, Joya de Nicaragua's top retailers. The original Antaño 1970 was was released in 2001, and was a Nicaraguan puro stronger than almost any other cigar at the time. It helped put Nicaragua on the map for the cigar world and showed that Nicaragua could make a bolder cigar.

Since then, Antaño has become a staple of Nicaraguan cigars. The brand has also seen many line extensions including the Antaño Dark Corojo, Antaño Gran Reserva and the Antaño CT. There are currently over 20 vitolas in the Antaño line.

The Antaño CT came out in 2019, a Connecticut Shade wrapper take on the blend that was more subtle, yet still bold. The blend uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, while still incorporating the classic Antaño Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The final product is described as a medium- to full-body cigar that is spicier than your traditional Connecticut cigar. The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale measures 6 5/8 x 44 and comes in 20 count boxes.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lonsdale
Length: 6 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Juan Martinez, Alejandro Martinez Cuenca
Number of reviewers: 5 – Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Kevin J. (maninblack77) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
Price: $10.26
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: June 2022
Contributed by: Joya de Nicaragua

Initial Impressions – Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale

Appearance: 94

“A silky smooth wrapper adorns this lonsdale. Has the color of corn silk. Seamless appearance with little to no veins present. Absolutely gorgeous color.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Aroma: 93

“The aroma from the foot is predominantly almonds and cedar, with a little bit of natural tobacco on the finish. Pre-light draw has a hint of peanut brittle and baker's spices with a hint of cedar. The body of the cigar has the same almond notes as the foot, with just a little bit of leather on the finish. Pre-light draw offers what I consider to be the right amount of resistance with a mixture of cedar and floral notes.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

First Third

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

“With the aromas and flavors I got from the cold draw, I was definitely ready to see what was in store. Toasted the foot and the first several puffs were full of dry roasted peanuts, salted cashews, and a buttery creaminess. There was some white pepper on the retrohale. These flavors persisted throughout the first third. Lots of creamy smoke that really enveloped the palate. Definitely wasn't expecting this from a Connecticut shade wrapper. Very enjoyable beginning.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“After toasting the foot I take a few puffs, the initial notes are dry cedar and green coffee beans. After about five minutes I push some smoke through my nose. There is an undefined sweetness going on. As I smoke deeper into the third the dryness of the cedar takes a big step back letting the green coffee bean note shine. In the retrohale, there is a white pepper note starting to build. This really woke up the sinuses as the third comes to an end.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Second Third

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

“This smoke continues with the spice which based on the color was not expecting that. It's a spicy stick on the tongue each draw and that spice picks up on the retrohale as well. There is some sweetness picking up making the spice go from red pepper to cinnamon spice like a red hot candy. There are still background notes of salty and oat creaminess noted as well.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

“The smoky flavor has smoothed and mellowed out into the second third. A nice citrus note has come in to add a bit of complexity. There is still a bit of heavy black pepper in the back of my throat along with in the retrohale.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Sweetness returns to the profile in the final third in the form of milk chocolate. The creaminess fades, and is replaced by saltiness that is actually a welcome change to the profile. Cedar is still present, and black pepper has replaced the rye whiskey note on the retrohale, making for a sweet and salty combo with just the right amount of spice to it. This is how the cigar finishes. Burn and draw were superb throughout. The cigar finishes with this sweet and spicy profile.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“The final third ramped up quite a bit as far as the salted nuts profile goes. Lots of salted cashew notes as well as dry roasted peanuts. The strength continues to be mild at best but these flavors make up for this. The burn and smoke output are top-notch as well. Very different experience than most Connecticut shade wrappers I've tried recently. It really kept my interest piqued.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Overall Impressions – Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale

Draw: 96

“Draw was slightly more open than I'm used to with lonsdales but it opened up those flavors I experienced.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Burn: 96

“The burn line was thick and black at the start and finish but was thin in the medium. This cigar may need a little rest time before the next time I smoked it.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Construction: 95

“Burn, draw, smoke output and flavors were all great examples of a very well-made cigar. This cigar definitely surpassed my expectations.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 94

“This cigar was very enjoyable from start to finish. It was epic in flavor delivery and never showed any bad traits. Although a little strong for some, even novice smokers should be able to enjoy what this cigar has to offer as long as it is not on an empty stomach. Choose your pairings wisely. Although this cigar will hold up to a variety of beverages, grab sparkling water and enjoy these flavors as they were meant to be enjoyed!.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“First and foremost, I loved the size and feel of this cigar. The profile of this cigar will be very inviting to most cigar smokers. It should pair beautifully with your morning coffee and in my opinion, would make a very enjoyable start to one day. I would for sure seek this out, once I know what it is, and add it into my cigar rotation.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“The combination of salted nuts, butter, white pepper, and peanuts really sets this cigar apart from other mild cigars. Mild in strength but full of flavor. I would highly recommend this to any cigar lover. A perfect morning cigar or really any time of day cigar. Would love to see how this pairs with a chai tea or a lighter roasted coffee.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“The construction and burn on this stick were amazing but the flavor was a little confusing. Heavy smoky notes right from the first puff were surprising and the black pepper in the back of my throat was a bit rough. The citrus notes that appeared in the middle were enjoyable but the finishing burnt toast was also a bit off-putting. I didn't dislike this blend and could smoke it again but I wouldn't gravitate towards it.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“This started off spicy with red pepper being the powerful flavor on draw and retrohale. Background notes of creamy salty oats. Midway through sweetness change the red pepper to the cinnamon spice of red hot candy. The last part of the cigar went to just cream salty oat flavor and the spice became the background flavor.” –Chad M. (Chad Tchad)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 74

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Lonsdale – Blind Cigar Review