Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Around the time of the annual PCA convention this past year, Joya de Nicaragua announced an exciting comeback in their U.S. portfolio by reintroducing the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original, a brand with a rich history that has been absent from the market for the past 15 years. The Clásico gained recognition in the 1970s as the official cigar of the Nixon White House, adding to its historical significance. Distributed in the U.S. by Drew Estate, the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico's return offers a noteworthy addition to the cigar market.

As part of the company's 55th-anniversary celebration, the Clásico will be available in four different sizes: Robusto 5 x 50 $8.25, Toro 6 x 50 $8.75, Churchill 6 7/8 x 48) $9.00 of 25, and Torpedo 6 x 52 $9.25. All are sold in boxes of 25

The Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original blend features an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Although the wrapper is the same as Joya's Número Uno line, the internal tobacco blends differ. The Clásico was previously phased out of the U.S. market around 2008-2009, with sporadic availability to large catalog accounts but excluded from brick-and-mortar stores. The Clásico Original will now be exclusively offered to retailers in Joya de Nicaragua's Club de Amigos loyalty program.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Juan Martinez, Alejandro Martinez Cuenca
Number of reviewers: 5 – Angel M. (Angel) Noah S. (Noah) Diana (ArmyRN) Kevin J. (maninblack77) Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
Price: $8.75
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: August 2023
Contributed by: Joya de Nicaragua

Initial Impressions – Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original Toro

Appearance: 96

“Visually pleasing, this cigar is a light golden brown with a nice soft oily wrapper. The wrapper is very smooth. Vein lines are visible but not overly noticeable. At the foot, the filler is a mixture of golden brown and dark chocolate mottle. The single cap is smooth and well-rounded. This cigar has no apparent deformities or other noticeable blemishes.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Aroma: 92

“The aroma off the body has a dried fruit characteristic with light spice that tickles the nose. The foot has a delightful combination of straw, more dried fruit, and some white pepper. The cold draw has notes of citrus, a vegetal component, and some vanilla.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

First Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“The initial entry into the smoking experience provided an interesting blend of cedarwood and unsweetened tea. Honey was noticeable on the finish mixed with a slight dash of walnuts. Progression into the first third added a faint white pepper in the background. As I transitioned into the second third the nutty notes of walnut remained but were mixed with a tartness.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“Right on par with the experience I have with most Connecticuts, the initial puffs of this cigar are not the most pleasant. Early on the smoke is tannin-rich, leading to a dry finish and an almost chalky mouthfeel. Flavors are woody and vegetal without any compliment or balance and at this point I am not impressed. I know all too well how this typically plays out and I am hopeful that with a little bit of heat the flavor profiles will change for the better. On a happier note, the aroma of the smoke is pleasant and sweet. Although the smoke itself was never harsh, it seems to be smoothing out with each subsequent puff developing a certain butteriness. About an inch in, the flavors begin to take on some fairer qualities. Cedar and charred oak are the dominant flavors upfront but the addition of dried fruit flavors, namely apricot and plum, offers up at least a little balance, especially to the finish that is now a bit less offensive. As the first third comes to a close, the retro begins to add more complexity to the smoke with notes of white pepper, cinnamon, and milk chocolate.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Second Third

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

“The cigar makes a hard shift to start this third. The woodiness, of the opening third, has dissipated and is replace but a nice vanilla note. Underneath that there is a white pepper bite that nips at the tip of the tongue. The retrohale has stayed relatively unchanged. The only noticeable difference is that the sweeter aspects have stepped forward. All of this is balanced out with a buttery texture in the finish that seems to last for minutes.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“By the second third the tannin rich qualities of the finish have all but faded completely and this stick has finally become enjoyable. The cedar and charred oak that once defined this smoke have fallen off and have been replaced with more savory notes akin to a fresh baked wheat bread. Dried apricot and plum continue to offer up a sweet tanginess to the finish that is becoming more and more mouthwatering. In my humble opinion, the retro is still where this cigar shines the most and is undeniably the most complex as the sweeter notes are most prominent. Cinnamon and milk chocolate remain the all-stars of the retro as the white pepper takes a backseat and is a little less loud.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Light-Medium

“In the final third, the pepper has dropped to the back, but still remains a significant presence. A slight leathery flavor has joined in, and the cashew also still remains. The smoke has gotten a little harsher tasting, but still remains very smooth and cool. All in all still remaining on the mild side.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“As I enter the final third the smoke, on the palate has become a citrus bomb. It engulfs all the zones on the tongue and makes my mouth water. The citrus overflow into the retrohale as well. This combined with the buttery finish has this cigar firing on all cylinders. This is a cigar don't want to put down.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Impressions – Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Draw: 98

“Clean and free from the start. This allowed the smoke to be cool and develop the buttery texture on the palate.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Burn: 98

“Aside from a single relight mid smoke, this cigar burned like a champ with a razor-thin burn line that never once wandered.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Construction: 96

“No issues were noted with this cigar. The cap head remained intact during the smoke and the wrapper had no cracks or lifts. The filler was even throughout the entire body of the cigar which contributed to a good burn experience.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

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

“Overall, this was a superb cigar. I normally enjoy a more medium to full cigar, and even though this was mild all the way through it was very enjoyable, the flavors of cashew leather, cedar, and white pepper, which all showed up at the perfect moments made for an excellent experience. I would definitely recommend this to someone who enjoys a milder cigar.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“Let's start with the positive. Performance-wise, this cigar was a picture of near perfection! Appearance, burn, construction, and draw were all on point leading to a trouble-free smoking experience which happens to be a major plus in my book. Flavor, balance, and complexity wise my experience with this cigar was a lot like a bell curve, ultimately leaving a lot to be desired as it ended in much the same way that it began and the only area where it truly shined was the middle. The first and final thirds bookended the entire smoking experience with flavors that were obtrusively woody, bitter and spicy without enough other flavors present to offer any compliment or balance. The second third was quite enjoyable simply because the flavors present were well rounded. Unfortunately that balance didn't last and that lack simply broke the entire experience for me. Safe to say that I probably will not reach for this one again anytime soon.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“I was nervous that this cigar was going to be one-dimensional, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the transitions in flavors. There are plenty of various notes to go around. That is until the last third where it sort of falls off. Not a lot, but I was enjoying some of the previous notes enough to want them to stick around. I would definitely keep this cigar in my morning C&C rotation.” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“I'm not a Connecticut shade cigar guy, even for my morning smoke. This was an enjoyable cigar though up to the final third where things took a dip. Lots of satisfying roasted cashews and nuts as well as some white pepper. I think folks that like these mild cigars would enjoy this more, especially with morning coffee.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)

“After getting off to a disjointed start this cigar found its bearing quickly. It delivered a delicate and delicious flavor profile that is easily approachable to all levels of cigar smokers. I found it to be nub-worthy and down as far as I could take it. This light to medium body smoke would make it appropriate for a first, or last, cigar of one's day. So grab your favorite cup of coffee, or tea, and enjoy one.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 68

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Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Original Toro – Blind Cigar Review