"Something about this cigar blend was a superstar for me. I often found myself smoking too fast because I was enjoying the blend so much. Leather was the star backbone of the blend from the first puff until the last. There was some great complexity first, with cedar sweetness and a slight white pepper on the retro. Then, some hazelnut and subtle baking spice notes as the blend progressed. I would smoke this again and look forward to discovering what it was." -Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
"I would have rated the cigar higher if not for the last third. I feel like it ran out of steam. The flavor profile of the first two thirds was great with the dark rich notes but soon turned to just another run of the mill smoke. It is a shame really, the end was clearly not what the blender intended this cigar to be. I would give it another shot down the road." -Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
"I really enjoyed this cigar. While there was nothing earth-shattering about the flavor profile or the way it smoked, it was a great representative of a shade-grown cigar. Gone are the days when grabbing a Connie means smoking air and nothing much more. This is a very enjoyable, flavor-forward cigar. This would be an ideal first cigar of the day." -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
J.C. Newman is bringing back Yagua this year, again in limited quantities. We reviewed this cigar last year and gave it a 93. The brand goes all the way back to 1940's in the Cuban tobacco fields.
"This is actually an easy cigar to sum up. If you like full bodied cigars that burn slow and deliver the straight forward flavors of earth and black pepper, then you will probably enjoy this cigar. If those flavors aren’t your jam and you’re inclined to smoke something with a little nuance or transitions... smoke something else. " -Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
"This smoke didn't feature a rollercoaster of transitions or over-the-top complexity and in my opinion, those qualities are certainly not prerequisites of an incredible cigar. Rather, I tend to put a premium on a stick that intrigues my palate with abundant flavors that are not only smooth but also balanced enough to keep my attention. This cigar accomplished all of that and more while maintaining similar flavor profiles from start to finish. What stood out for me the most was how smooth the smoke was from the first puff to the last which ultimately led to the incredible smoking experience. Simply put, this is just another banger that I can't wait to add to my collection!" -Noah S. (Noah)
"As I sit and ponder the cigar I just finished I am reminded why I smoke cigars. It is for experiences like this…wonderful flavors, excellent performance, and a perfectly relaxing 90 minutes where the troubles of the day disappear and I feel like the richest man in the world. Cigars like this remind me of how this is a luxury for everyone and I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who has a liking for full flavor and just enough power to keep them humble. I could smoke this daily, and would be proud to have boxes of this on the top shelf of my display humidor. I can say with a certainty I will be buying a box after this is revealed." -Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has started shipping 1,250 boxes of its Yagua cigars to cigar retailers in the United States. That cigar has basically been an annual release up until this point with the first batch being released in July of 2020, and the second in August of 2021. The company says a second batch for 2022 is expected around Thanksgiving.
"This was a fun cigar to smoke. From the unique shape to the sweet start and spicy finish. If the draw was perfect all the way through, it would be phenomenal. This is for sure one of the most enjoyable cigars I have smoked in quite some time, and I would recommend anyone try it." -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
"The first third was good with flavors of woods and dark fruit with a nice sweet finish. The second third was mediocre at best and at one point I considered putting it down. I'm glad I didn't though because it picked back up in the final third where it shined. I wouldn't pay a premium for this one, but I would smoke it again. " -James H. (Keikan Jim)