JR Pure Origin Terra de Andes Robusto – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

A couple months ago, JR Cigar announced a sequel to their JR Pure Origin line Gran Vulcano. The JR Pure Origin: Terra de Andes went on sale at the beginning of November exclusively at www.jrcigars.com. The original JR Pure Origin Gran Vulcano Toro scored a 92 in our blind review.

The JR Pure Origin series is one of JR Cigar's most distinct offerings, showcasing a blend of rare and exotic tobaccos sourced globally. Drawing inspiration from the illustrious Andes Mountains in South America, the Terra de Andes is named after this mountainous region, known for harboring the world's tallest active volcano. Beyond its rich historical tapestry, as one of the cradles of ancient civilizations, the Andes is also where the tobacco plant took its initial roots. Nurtured by the fertile soil, distinctive microclimate, and a unique ecosystem, tobacco cultivated in these high altitudes yields a smoke that is simultaneously bold and delicate, revealing a spectrum of remarkable and diverse tonalities.

The blend for JR Pure Origin: Terra de Andes uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Sumatra binder, and Nicaraguan and Peruvian fillers. It is presented in 10-count white boxes and comes in three classic sizes: 5 x 50 Robusto ($108 per box, $12 per single), 6 x 50 Toro ($117 per box, $13 per single), 6 x 56 Toro Gordo ($126 per box, $14 per single).

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua, Peru
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Rafael Nodal, AJ Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jessica (Stogie Sister) Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Bill C.(Bill)
Price: $12.00
Age: 1 Month
Release Date: November 2023
Contributed by: JR Cigars

Initial Impressions – JR Pure Origin Terra de Andes Robusto

Appearance: 95

“The wrapper is a nice, deep, milk chocolate brown. There is a slick, oily sheen coming off it. Minimal veins and no lumps make this look almost perfectly smooth. The only thing that breaks the smoothness is a small, crinkled stretch mark about halfway up the stick. The cap looks to be a large double, and is very neatly placed.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 94

“Notes of cedar on the cold draw. Notes of burnt toast upon lighting with leather notes on the retrohale.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

First Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Soft leather and a floral cedar lead the profile to start this one off. Just beneath that is a sweet, nutty bread note. In the back, I get a hint of dry cocoa and a cayenne and cinnamon spice. A very well-balanced start.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“The leather notes are still there from the draw and retrohale.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Second Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The profile remains largely unchanged from the end of the first third with the milk chocolate simply gaining ground on the cedar and earth in terms of the position of the profile. Now all three are nearly perfectly balanced and I'm a fan. The retrohale, while continuing to be peppery, is no longer overly so and is now an enjoyable change of pace to the flavor profile from the draw.” –Bill C. (Bill)

“The blend has progressed into a solid medium strength in the second third. The earthiness has moved towards the forefront and featured more mineral notes. The sweetness from the beginning has almost entirely faded away. The coffee notes have also begun darkening but aren't strong or bitter.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The final third has black pepper being the dominant profile of the draw, which is quickly joined by leather and wood. Now the retrohale brings the tart berries into the finish.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“The earth slowly builds and the sweetness and cedar falls off slowly through this third. By the end, the earth is heavy and coats my palate. The finish lasts extremely long and is far heavier than my preference. The earth also pushes its way into the retrohale as well. This is a little too dark of a profile for my preference.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Overall Impressions – JR Pure Origin Terra de Andes Robusto

Draw: 99

“A great open draw with a ton of smoke production, almost too open at points but not enough to be a significant detriment.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Burn: 91

“Even burn for two-thirds of the cigar. A lot of touching-up was needed towards the end. Ash kept forking and would fall of on its own.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 93

“No real complaints about the construction except for the slight burn problems in the final third, but even those were not too severe.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

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

“While black pepper is not my favorite note, I enjoyed the complexity of this cigar and how the notes moved forward and backward in the profile. I smoked this down till I burned my fingertips.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“A nice quick and relaxing smoke. A very flavorful cigar. Notes of cedar, burnt toast, leather, hickory, peanut, and pipe tobacco. Burns even for two-thirds of the cigar. A lot of touching-up was needed at the end. The ash forked and would come off by itself. I'd give this cigar a second chance to see if anything changes.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This was a fairly complex and transitional medium-bodied cigar. The flavors were well-balanced, and definitely up my alley. The only downside was the amount of attention this needed all the way through. I'd absolutely pick up another one in hopes that the burn issues I had were just a fluke. It was still an enjoyable experience even with a couple of touch-ups and a relight.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“While not the most transitional or complex cigar, it is a delicious robusto that smoked well and that I would revisit. A perfect meld of earth and minerals, a light sweet coffee flavor that moved into a deeper taste by the end, and a nice muskiness and slightest hints of wood make this an enjoyable smoke from start to finish. It's nothing overly exciting, but it's a great solid stick that could easily be a go-to hour-ish smoke.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“I want a full cigar of the 2nd third experience. As the first third and final third lacked sweetness to balance out the earth. However, the construction was excellent and required limited attention. I'd happily buy and smoke another.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 74

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

JR Pure Origin Terra de Andes Robusto – Blind Cigar Review