Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Belicoso

November 28, 2021: This cigar is a 6 x 54 belicoso. It's a Nicaraguan puro. It looks identical to its elder cousin, the Gran Reserva Belicoso, which I reviewed last week and the Churchill 1970, which I reviewed a month or two ago. I was very interested to compare them. The Gran Reserva is supposedly aged five years. 

Appearance and Construction: The cigar is a well constructed, solid, belicoso. The wrapper is medium brown and mottled, suggesting a bit of ageing, albeit not as much as the Gran Reservo.

First Puff: Smooth

Draw and Burn: Draw was easy with no major resistance. Burn was fine; a minor wave at the end but no touch up required.

Flavour and Complexity: Flavour was similar to the Gran Reserva. The cigar had a very pleasant medium roast coffee with a dried fruit taste, like apricot. It was very pleasant. 

Body: Hovered around medium throughout. 

Strength: No strength to speak of. Standing up after 100 minutes I could feel some effects, so there was some strength, but nothing perceptible while smoking.  

Finish and Aftertaste: Finish was long and delicious. Aftertaste was clean and had the pleasant dried fruit quality. 

Aroma: Deep and rich. Very pleasant.

Ash: held on nicely for 30 minutes per ashing.

After one hour.

Balance and Consistency: Consistently good. No transitions, unlike the Gran Reserva which started mild and ended more intense. But flavour, body and strength were perfectly balanced throughout. 

Time smoke: 100 minutes. Difficult to let it go.

After 95 minutes. So tasty that I was reluctant to let the cigar go.

Overall: "Balance" is the word that comes to mind. Flavour, body and strength all fitted together very well. The citrus 'twang' was an interesting flavour component. The cigar was consistently good. It burned and drew without issue. Very satisfying. 

January 9th, 2022: This was a dud. Plugged throughout. I kept struggling with the draw hoping that I would pass the knot. But there was no knot; the cigar was badly rolled throughout. My friend, smoking another sample from the box, had no such problem. His cigar burned perfectly and he reported that it was very nice. These things happen. But Joya seems to have this issue more than others: Red, Black, both boxes have these badly rolled cigars.

The tell-tale spike of a badly rolled cigar.

April 2nd, 2022: This cigar was very good. It made up for the dud of January 9th above. It was smooth, medium bodied during the first two thirds and built up to a nice level of strength in the final third. Flavour was cocoa and dried fruit. Aftertaste was clean but finish was medium at best. Draw was a little resistant: it took a few puffs to extract a good volume of smoke. Burn was fine. One of the most satisfying aspects of this cigar was the aroma: it was rich and prevalent. Balance, as discussed above, comes to mind: flavour, body, aroma, transition to greater strength. I eked almost 90 minutes to the nub. Very satisfying. 

May 22nd, 2022: This was an excellent example of the blend. Flavour started out mellow and mild to medium. Draw and burn were almost perfect. But the final third was the star. By a bit past the midpoint the cigar really shone: complexity, body and a bit of strength all increased to create a very satisfying package. 110 minutes to the nub. 

Excellent balance of body, flavour without too much strength in the final third.

August 13th, 2022. This was a dud. It was soft and squishy, despite being stored at 69% humidity. I assume that it was badly constructed. The spiked ash confirmed my suspicion. Flavour was dull and thin. Body was weak. Draw was difficult. By the end of the final third draw was almost plugged. I binned it. 

3rd April, 2023. I was not inspired to return to this brand after the previous construction issues. Hence the long interval. This cigar began with a difficult draw, but within a millimetre the cigar opened out and the first third was delicious with the sweet, fruity flavour, which I have described above. The second third became plugged again. Draw was difficult. The final third opened out, draw was easy and smoke was full, even though the cigar was squishy. Flavour returned and a bit of strength ensued. Altogether, around 90 minutes, with some interesting transitions and draw challenges. Quite satisfying.  

July 18th, 2023: This cigar was hard. It felt like it was over packed, but it drew quite nicely. The cigar started out quite pleasantly: good draw, fairly even burn, the typical fruity flavour, no spice or pepper. The final third was a disappointment. Flavour dissipated to a rather empty vegetal, much like the cigar of August 13th, 2022. I binned the cigar before the nub at around 65 minutes. Pleasant for the first two thirds, but not satisfying.

Alec Bradley Black Market Churchill

November 23rd, 2021: This is the second vitola of this cigar that I've tried. The first is the Special Perfecto. Both exhibited the same sour aftertaste, which suggested the need for more ageing. I've also tried to Esteli Black Market, which is a much smoother, albeit stronger, version. 

Appearance and Construction: 7x 50. The cigar is well made, feels weighty in the hand and looks good. It has a paper sleeve as well as a band. I suppose that the sleeve protects the cigar. But I wonder whether it might slow the ageing process. In any event, it's a gimmick that adds nothing to the cigar.

According to Neptune, the binder is Ecuadorian Sumatra and the filler is a mix of Panama and Honduras tobacco. Only the wrapper is Nicaraguan. 

First Puff: A nice blast of pepper and an introduction to the sourness which appears from time to time throughout the cigar. 

Draw and Burn: Slightly resistant draw, but no major issue. Burn was almost perfect. No touch up required. However I noticed that, upon ashing, there remained a conical spike of glowing cinder, which is not the hallmark of good construction. 

Flavour and Complexity: The flavour at best is a rich, dark roast, but it is marred by sourness. Towards the end of the first third, sourness was prominent and not at all pleasant. It didn't last long; maybe a few puffs. For most of the cigar, the sourness was part of the flavour profile, sometimes prominent, sometimes just a hint. By the time I reached the nub, sourness had dissipated and the cigar revealed its potential. It suggested that the cigar would benefit from ageing as the flavour at its best is quite complex. 

It's interesting to note the comments on Neptune, where the cigar is rated 4.5. "Nothing wrong with this cigar", "solid taste, not bitter", "surprised how good this was", "smoked BM for four years and have never been disappointed". All of these comments suggests that a bit of age will improve the cigars.

One of the virtues of the Churchill vitola is coolness. The smoke is cool through the first two thirds. When flavour is good, this long, cool, filter enhances flavour. Again, more ageing will benefit the remainder of the box. 

Body: Medium to full body. 

Strength: No strength to mention in the first two thirds. Quite a nice kick in the final third.

Finish and Aftertaste: Long finish, but somewhat dirty due to the sourness. I could taste it the next day. 

Aroma: Excellent, rich, complex aroma. As with the Perfecto, aroma was one of the most attractive qualities of the cigar.

Ash: Pure white ash which held on very nicely.

Balance and Consistency: The sourness was an imbalance. When the sourness was a background feature, the cigar was quite pleasant. When it was absent, at the nub, the cigar was satisfying. But when it dominated, it was not.

Time smoke: 90 minutes

Overall: This is a promising cigar. It needs to age. It is similar to the Perfecto vitola. Both suffered from sourness (although I called it bitterness in the Perfecto review. I need to make up my mind. Is it sour, like a lime, or bitter, like dark, unsweetened, chocolate?) However, the Perfecto suffered less from this flavour defect. 

I took the sleeve off the Perfectos and put the naked cigars in a humidor. I might do the same with a few Churchills to see whether this evens them out. Verdict: not particularly satisfying although the nub was good and with age, the cigar should improve.

Upon reaching the nub flavour smoothed out and sourness dissipated.

August 24th, 2022: After nine months I was expecting an improvement. I was disappointed. The cigar drew and burned well, but flavour was too much burnt toast. There was a modicum of sweetness and plenty of spice and aroma was occasionally pleasant, but these qualities didn't compensate for the overall dirty, burnt taste. I puffed on dutifully for 90 minutes. Not satisfying. 

Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Belicoso

The Joya Gran Reserva Belicoso is a 6 by 54 torpedo. This was an interesting cigar with a mild Cuban like flavour and aroma in the first two thirds, developing into a more full bodied cigar in the final third. 

Appearance and Construction: A very solidly constructed cigar, heavy in the hand. The wrapper is a beautiful colorado shade.

First Puff: Very smooth. No harsh introduction.

Draw and Burn: Draw was a bit resistant throughout. There were times when several puffs were necessary to get a decent draw. Burn was adequate. A couple of touch ups were required.

Flavour and Complexity: Flavour was a deliciously smooth Pinar del Rio Cuban flavour, similar to the fake Cohibas that I reviewed recently. During the final third, flavour intensified to a medium roast spicy flavour, which was well complemented by an increase in strength.

Body: Light body for the first half or more, increasing to a full body in the final third. 

Strength: No strength to speak of until the final third, at which point strength increased conspicuously.

Finish and Aftertaste: Finish was a bit short. I rarely put the cigar down to rest for long. I expected this would lead to a maximum of 70 minutes. But I was gratified that the cigar lasted 90 minutes, largely due to the increase in strength. 

Aroma: Delicious, smooth, complex aroma. I could easily have mistaken the cigar for a Cuban.

Ash: A bit flaky. 

Balance and Consistency: The first third or two were a bit lacking in body at times. But the final third made up for this.

Time smoke: 95 minutes.

Overall: A very interesting cigar: the transition from mild, light roasted coffee flavour to a medium roast, full bodied cigar in the final third kept my attention. Quite satisfying and good to the nub. 

This was a cigar that came to life in the final third.

February 14th, 2022: No transitions to speak of. Mild to medium body. Flavour was the same dried apricot, light roast as the previous. Quite pleasant. Burn was fast and even. Draw was easy. Aroma was delicious and rich. Finish was reasonably long. But there wasn't much flavour in it. An increase in strength or spice in the second half, as occurred with the previous cigar, would have satisfied more. 75 minutes to the nub. Pleasant. But not satisfying.

AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill

 

1. November 4th, 2021: The is is the second vitola of the New World Puro Especial in my collection. The other is the Toro (6.5 x 52). The Short Churchill is 6 x 48, a size which I had initially feared might be a little small for my taste. As it happened, the smaller cousin to the Toro provided almost as much burn time and was quite as satisfying. 

Appearance and Construction: Beautiful, slender, even construction.

First Puff: A nice initial blast of intensity which heralded an impending delight.

Draw and Burn: Both excellent. No resistance and no need for touch up. I let the cigar go out and needed a relight, but that was more likely due to my own neglect.

Flavour and Complexity: The flavour much resembled both the New World Navegante and the Toro vitola of the Puro Especial: a smooth, leathery, earthy, almost maduro flavour. Complexity was satisfying.

Body: Medium body for the first two thirds and fuller body during the final third.

Strength: Moderate. There was definitely some strength but it was nicely balanced.

Finish and Aftertaste: Good long finish and satisfying aftertaste.

Aroma: Excellent rich aroma.

Ash: Held on for about 20 minutes per ashing.

Balance and Consistency: An excellent balance of body, flavour and strength.

Time smoke: 95 minutes

Overall: Delicious all the way to the nub. Very satisfying.

2. December 13th, 2021: This cigar was incredibly rich, smooth, complex and balanced. It was full bodied and slightly spicy. Draw was a little resistant. Burn was wavy but self-correcting. Aroma was rich and intense. Finish was long and aftertaste was clean.

Balance between flavour, body, aftertaste and aroma was excellent. Overall, this was a very satisfying 90 minutes. 

3. January 5th, 2022: Much the same as the previous sample. This is a small cigar compared with the Toro, the Churchill or the Gordo. But 

It's so full of flavour that

It's easy to savour and

lasts well over 80 minutes, probably 90 minutes or more. Finish is long and quite clean, despite intensity. Flavour was the same as the previous two cigars with a slight hint of spice throughout. There's also a little bitterness in the flavour, but not unpleasantly. It adds to the complexity. Some people describe flavour as creamy. I guess they mean that the flavour is smooth and full. This cigar was certainly smooth and full bodied throughout. Overall, this is a cigar to savour: very balanced, very satisfying. 

4. February 10th, 2022: This cigar was so slow burning that it stretched out for 110 minutes. Draw was perhaps a bit resistant, but not obstructive. Flavour as above: hint of spice and slight bitterness in patches, otherwise smooth, full bodied, balanced, burn sharp enough. So far, four out of four have been good. High marks for consistency. Satisfying.

At the one hour mark.

5. March 16th, 2022. Another excellent cigar: full bodied with plenty of pepper in the final third. Flavour was complex and rich throughout with excellent long finish. The cigar was well balanced and consistently delicious. Aroma was deep and rich.  Draw was a bit resistant, just as no.4 above, but not obstructively. Flavour was so rich and the cigar was so well packed that it was satisfying to sip. 115 minutes, letting the cigar go out to attend to business. Very satisfying. Compared with the Toro, this vitola is superior. It is more consistently delicious from 

Rich, intense, full bodied. Very satisfying.

6. May 23rd, 2022: This cigar started out deliciously: full bodied with excellent draw, burn and aftertaste. But by the second half, bitterness began to overwhelm. The final third was dirty, burnt toast bitter. Burn started to go awry in the final two inches. I nonetheless smoked it almost to the nub, but this is the first, out of six, which was not particularly satisfying. 110 minutes. 

At the 45 minute mark: still delicious with very long finish and spicy aftertaste. But bitterness soon overwhelmed. 

7. August 4th, 2022: Heavy in the hand, well packed, dense construction but resistant draw. Very smooth, full bodied start, ramping up spice and dirt in the second half, reminiscent of the recent My Father Fausto that I had, but not as dirty; far easier to finish. Also not as dirty and tasting of burnt toast as the sample I smoked on May 23rd. Quite satisfying, 95 minutes. I should try the Toro again and compare the ending. 

8. August 31st, 2022: Not as heavy or as resistant in draw as the previous cigar. This cigar was full bodied all the way with plenty of pepper and spice. Flavour was dark roast and, as with the previous cigar, a little burnt and dirty, but quite easy to enjoy to the nub. Satisfying and 90 minutes. 

A very solid, full bodied, cigar.

9. November 9th, 2022: Another full bodied specimen.  The cellophane was yellowed, showing the age of the cigar, now one year in my humidor. The cigar started off cool, smooth and mellow, yet with a mellow spiciness. Draw was satisfactory, burn was a little irregular. Towards the final third, spice ramped up and the cigar became quite strong and peppery, evidencing much ligero. The cigar was nonetheless tasty enough to finish to the nub. Aroma was excellent. 90 minutes and very satisfying. 

10. December 22nd, 2022: Started out smooth and full bodied, one of the most refined and exquisite full bodied cigars in my collection. But the final third was bitter and unbalanced. I still smoked it to the nub. 90 minutes and quite satisfying.

11. April 6th, 2023: Much the same as the previous cigar, the first inch was exquisite: rich, complex, smooth and full bodied. I kept thinking, "this is as good as a cigar gets". After that first inch a touch of bitterness crept in and was present until the end. It wasn't bitter or unbalanced as was the case with the previous cigar. It was still quite enjoyable. Draw was tight. It took a few puffs to get the thing going. Burn was impeccable. Strength was probably more than I would care for: the night was disturbed with vivid dreams. Overall, 90 minutes and quite satisfying. 

Delicious first inch, followed by a hint of bitterness, but still exquisite flavour.

July 19th, 2023: A strong, peppery first few puffs, followed by a more mellow, deep, dark roast flavour with deep, rich aroma. At its best this is a great full bodied cigar. Draw was a bit tight but burn was sharp. Towards the final third the cigar became a bit bitter, pepper ramped up and that deep, rich, flavour dissipated to a more peppery vegetal tar ball. I still smoked it close to the nub. Quite satisifying at 95 minutes, but lacking in consistency. 

February 7th, 2024: Strong, full bodied. Opened with a blast of pepper. The first third smoothed out and was the best. Pepper returned in the second half. Full body plus. Excellent draw and perfect burn. I still smoked the cigar to the nub. 80 minutes. Quite satisfying. 

Oliva Cain F 550

The first sample knocked my socks off in the final third. I took the second sample carefully, wary of building strength, but it was much less strong with no surprise kick at the end. Flavour in the second cigar was much richer and complex than that of the first, which was often monodimensional.

The third cigar was also too strong. Strength manifested in the second third and abated slightly in the third. But the whole experienced was marred by too much strength. 

1. October 27th, 2021: This is a strong cigar. The 'F' in the name stands for "fuerte", strong. The label describes the cigar as 'sungrown' and 'straight ligero'. According to Neptune, it's 82% ligero, which is the strongest leaf of the plant. Indeed, it was strong.

Appearance and Construction: The cigar looks well made but with a slight kink at the foot. It was quite light in the hand, which contributed to a very easy draw. It had a few soft spots but these had no noticeable effect on burn or draw. 

The size is 5 3/4 inches by 50. So it's somewhere between a robusto and a toro. As described above, it's a Nicaraguan puro with 82% ligero tobacco.

Straight ligero, but not quite straight; a slight kink at the foot.

First Puff: Strong: not just the flavour but the aroma was strong. It was so strong that I had to avoid the direct path of wafting smoke when I put the cigar down to rest.

This intensity of flavour and aroma soon abated and the cigar took on a more mellow, albeit strong, profile until the final third. 

Draw and Burn: Draw and burn were almost perfect. There was a bit of a wave in the final third but it self corrected. Draw was easy with no resistance but this didn't mean a fast burn. Due to the strength of the cigar, it was necessary to put the cigar down for a while and take a break, resulting in a burn time of more than 90 minutes. 

Flavour and Complexity: Flavour was a little thin but was balanced by strength. One of the reviewers on the Neptune site described the flavour as 'a bit unidimensional'. I wouldn't agree with that. There was a bit of complexity in the flavour. But it was somewhat thin.

Flavour was a medium roast coffee with a powdery, vegetal, after taste. There was nothing dark or dirty about the flavour. It resembled the Rocky Patel Edge Corojo, with its powdery aftertaste, but far stronger and more complex than the RP. Flavour dissipated somewhat in the final third. But strength didn't. With a little more discipline I would left the cigar before the final inch and a half, as the strength was a bit overwhelming and flavour was not quite there.

Body: Started off full body, and wavered between medium to full. At times the cigar was so strong that it was difficult to discern whether body was medium or full.

Strength: Strong. The initial explosion of flavour soon abated and the cigar mellowed out after a few millimetres. But strength was present throughout. It was a little unsettling from time to time, jangling the nerves a bit, but slowing down made it tolerable. This is a good cigar to pace. Let it sit for a while between puffs. Even let it go out. Probably a good idea to drink plenty of water to replace sweat.

Strength was not overpowering until I finished the cigar and went to sit at my computer where I felt the nicotine build up on me. The queasiness lasted for a few minutes before fading. A lesser experienced cigar smoker would have felt grave. Nonetheless, it was one of those nights with vivid, detailed dreams. 

Finish and Aftertaste: The finish was long and the aftertaste was a bit dry and powdery, like the Rocky Patel Edge Corojo. 

Aroma: Aroma was deep and rich. Very fine. 

Ash: Ash held on quite well. The first ash lasted 20 minutes. It was the flaky, salt and pepper speckled variety, perhaps reflecting the loose packing of the cigar.

Balance and Consistency: The initial flavour blast was welcome as was the subsequent smoothness. The strength also complemented the flavour well. However, the final third was more strength than flavour. If I had been more disciplined, I would not have smoked it to the final inch. I would have let it go with two inches to left. 80 minutes would have been adequate.

Time smoke: 95 minutes. 

Overall: This is an interesting combination of medium roast flavour, strength and good aroma. Burn was excellent and draw was without resistance. Overall, I think the strength was overdone, especially in the final third. I recall similar issues with the San Lotano Oval Gordo. A year of ageing smoothed that cigar out well. Perhaps a little ageing will give this cigar more balance.

Excellent burn and easy draw throughout

2. December 29th, 2021: Almost a different cigar: flavour was extremely rich, resembling the Melanio in complexity. Aftertaste was a little dirty. Aroma was rich. Flavour and body were pretty much consistent throughout with a little extra smoothness in the final third.

The cigar was strong throughout, but, unlike the previous sample, not overpowering. I was on my guard and smoked the stogie gingerly. I also left the cigar before the nub, at around 82 minutes, to be on the safe side. This was difficult because the cigar became smoother and more mellow in the final third. 

Wrapper was dark and oily. The cigar might have been a little too moist, as it was somewhat squishy. But there were no issues with burn or draw. Burn was almost perfect.

Overall, this was much more satisfying than the previous cigar. I was quite pleased that strength did not overwhelm and flavour was rich and at times extremely complex. The cigar was similar to the Rocky Patel Super Ligero, but with a medium roast flavour rather than dark roast and burnt toast. It also reminded me of some of the better samples of the Alec Bradley Nica Puro. 82 minutes. Quite satisfying.

Lovely oily wrapper

Ash held on well.

At the one hour mark. I left the cigar with an inch or more to preempt surprise strength kick at the end. It was difficult because the final third was somewhat smoother and quite delicious. 

3. February 19th, 2022: Some good moments with this cigar but it was too strong. Wonderful rich aroma, perfect draw and burn. Full body all the way. The first third was excellent. If it had stayed that way throughout, with not transitions, it would have been a favourite. But strength intervened.

Strength didn't start to accelerate until the second third. After that it came in spasms; or, should I say, my gut reacted in spasms and I broke into a sweat. It's a shame, because the first third was deliciously complex and rich without being overwhelming. It was only the second third that was unbalanced. But it was sufficiently unpleasant to cast a shadow over the whole experience. The final third toned down the strength a bit and it was quite enjoyable. But I was wary of another night of vivid dreams, so I abandoned the nub at about an inch.

Interestingly, the cigar was moist and squishy, as was the cigar of December 29th, above. However, it came from the same box as the Cain 550 Sungrown that I smoked a few days ago. The Sungrown was bone hard. Go figure!

By comparison with the Sungrown, the F is less balanced. I think I'd prefer the Sungrown for balance, even though the F has some moments which are more satisfying. As I mentioned, if the Cain F had remained the same as the first third, throughout, it would have been a winner.

Overall, 95 minutes, not satisfying. 

4. November 22nd, 2023: This cigar was light in the hand, very easy to draw and burned quite consistently. It was strong, but not too strong. Flavour was a bit monodimensional, lacking complexity, as I've described above. Aroma was nothing to speak of; almost a bit like marijuana. Finish was long and strong, allowing for generous pauses between puffs and even a relight. Altogether quite satisfying at 90 minutes. 

Joya Black Double Robusto

5 x 56 Nicaraguan binder and filler with a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper.

October 6th, 2021: This cigar, like all of the Joya cigars that I've tried in the last couple of months, suffered from construction flaws. When a cigar is badly rolled, it burns badly, draw is compromised and flavour is compromised. After the cigar passed the badly rolled portion it was quite interesting; so much so that I smoked it to the nub, taking over 80 minutes.  

Appearance and Construction: The cigar looks good. It felt weighty. But alas, the construction was flawed, preventing appreciation until the second half. 

First Puff: Instantly revealed the earthy, maduro flavour of the cigar. But draw very soon became difficult.

Draw and Burn: First half, draw and burn were problematic. Draw was hampered by a construction defect. Burn canoed from the first half inch - not a good sign. It didn't correct and needed touching up. 

Canoeing started after less than half an inch. 

Construction flaw was revealed by the glowing ember. An even burn would not leave such a residual spike.

Flavour and Complexity: Once the construction flaws were passed, at around the second half, the cigar revealed a dark, woody, earthy (dirty) dark roast flavour. Complexity was not great. It was more than monodimensional, with a decent amount of pepper and maduro sweetness, but flavour was not deep and rich. The last inch, however, was quite compelling and flavourful, such that I hung onto the nub much longer than I would have anticipated. There must have been something in it.

Body: a steady medium body, perhaps a little over medium.

Strength: Nothing overwhelming, although I felt a bit of a buzz at the end.

Finish and Aftertaste: Finish was not long or satisfying. It was adequate. Aftertaste was a bit dirty. This is not a refined cigar. 

Aroma: Excellent, rich aroma.

Ash: Nothing remarkable.

Balance and Consistency: The first half was dreadful. The second half was quite balanced in the medium body/strength, earthy flavour range.

Time smoke: Due to the tastiness of the last inch, I eked out 80 minutes. I wouldn't expect such performance if the cigar had burned well. 

Overall: I like the size: 5 x 56. It's a nice, meaty, robusto. I'd really like to try one without construction issues. However, considering the very poor construction in the five or six Joyas that I've smoked in the past month, I'm not hopeful. Verdict: promising and quite pleasant. 

October 18th, 2021: Much the same as above. Canoeing started after about an inch.

The construction flaw, shown by the glowing ember in the second photo on this page, was much the same in this cigar. Flavour was muted and there wasn't much aroma to speak of; perhaps the occasional whiff.

After a touch up and passing the defective first third, the cigar became quite enjoyable. Draw was easy and burn was regular. The flavour was much the same as previous: a dark roast, burnt toast flavour, but almost complex and almost creamy. Finish and aftertaste were not long and lingering, but it was a clean aftertaste; not at all dirty.

Strength crept up towards to the final third and as I stood up, after finishing the cigar, I noticed a bit of dizziness. It was not unpleasant and soon passed. If anything, it was a nice enhancement to the medium body of the cigar, which picked up in the final third to quite a delicious flavour.

The cigar barely lasted 65 minutes. But it was quite enjoyable. Verdict: Almost satisfying. The construction defect was a detraction. It now seems that all of the Joyas I've tried have this problem: The Black, the Red and the Antano.

Despite the rough start, the cigar became quite satisfying in the final third. 

June 23rd 2022: After eight months I revisited this cigar. The burn was quite good as was the initial draw. There was no tunnel or canoeing. At the halfway mark, there was resistance but this passed and soon draw was easy enough.

Flavour was much as described above: woody, burnt toast, dark roast, a bit of pepper but not balanced or sufficiently complex to maintain interest. There were no moments of complexity. 

Aroma was quite pleasant, albeit not a major factor. 

Finish was short. It wasn't a cigar I would put down for long periods due to being satisfied. Aftertaste was a bit bitter and dirty. 

Strength built up towards the second half and this was quite a pleasant addition to the package. But unlike the previous cigar there was no delicious flavour in the final third. 

In summary, this was not a very inspiring cigar. The flavour profile wasn't sufficiently complex and the aftertaste was too bitter. 65 minutes. Not very satisfying. 

AJ Fernandez San Lotano Oval Robusto

September 20th, 2021: I bought a box of the Gordo vitola of this cigar. I usually love a big cigar. But the gordo is intimidating. It is 6.5 x 60 and the first few I smoked were some of the strongest cigars I've ever smoked, despite the claim on Neptune.com that the cigar is of medium strength. After about six months, the strength of my gordos had settled down to a much more mellow, full bodied cigar. However the size is still daunting. I therefore decided to buy a box of the robusto, which at 5.5 x 54 is a very generous robusto.

I smoked the first from the box last night. It was quite delicious and conformed to the Neptune description: medium in every sense. 

Appearance and Construction: The cigar has a distinctive oval shape. It feels good in the hand albeit light. Humidity appeared to be just right: firm to the squeeze but with a little spring.

According to Neptune, the wrapper is Ecuadorian Habano. The binder is Nicaraguan, and the filler is Nicaraguan and Honduran.  

First Puff: A good blast of flavour, but not much pepper.

Draw and Burn: Very easy draw. Almost no resistance. Plumes of easy smoke from start to finish. Burn was adequate; not razor sharp, but no touch up required.

Flavour and Complexity: The flavour was a medium roast coffee with very little, if any, spice. There was a hint of sweetness that made the flavour pleasantly complex. One writer on Neptune described the flavour as hazelnut. That idea came to my mind as I was smoking it. But I'm not sure what that adds. The flavour was quite rich, similar to that of the Gordo but not as intense. During the first third the cigar reminded me of the Bolivar Corona Royal (robusto) of the 80's and 90's, which was a lot stronger and darker than the current version. 

During the final third, flavour began to fade, leaving a more vegetal, less fermented flavour. It was still enjoyable enough to smoke to the nub. 

Body: Medium throughout

Strength: Medium but picked up a little towards the nub.

Finish and Aftertaste: A pleasant, clean after taste

Aroma: A good, rich, intense aroma.

Ash: Ash held on for 25 minutes, thereafter shorter intervals of 10 to 15 minutes. 

Balance and Consistency: The cigar was a well balanced medium bodied, medium strength cigar. The only defect was the final third in which flavour dissipated.

Time smoke: Almost 80 minutes

Overall: Quite satisfying. An easy, flavourful, enjoyable 80 minutes. 

First ash held on for about 25 minutes.

2. September 25th, 2021: Much fuller body than the first cigar from the box, much more flavour, pepper was prominent throughout the cigar. The flavour and body of this cigar resembled the gordo, which is a powerhouse, much more so than the first sample. Burn was uneven and required a couple of touch ups. Draw was completely without resistance, yet the cigar gave off plumes of smoke and lasted 80 minutes. Very satisfying.

3. October 8th, 2021: Another excellent sample from the box. Pre-light aroma was grassy and fragrant without biting the nose. Draw was easy. Burn was regular enough. No touch ups required. 

Flavour was milk chocolate/ medium roast with a touch of pepper and a lingering aftertaste of caramel. Aroma was rich and sweet. Complexity of flavour and aroma were satisfying. It reminded me of the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill. But flavour is definitely not Cuban.

Ash was annoying. It looked like it would hold on for another millimetre but twice came crashing down on my shirt and chair. Beware! 

Body was a solid medium plus with strength building nicely. It was powerful without being overwhelming, unlike its Gordo cousin. Overall this vitola was quite a well-balanced package of flavour, strength, body and aroma. 

I'm glad I ordered another box. Almost 80 minutes. Very satisfying. 

Burn was not even, but corrected well enough. 

4. November 8th, 2021: Less satisfying: this one was much milder and lesser body. Flavour was somewhere between the Joya Red, with its sour aftertaste and the Enclave, which is its rich complex cocoa flavour. No pepper to speak of, perhaps in the last inch. Aroma was only occasionally present. The cigar burned well and there was minimal resistance. 80 minutes, but not satisfying.  

5. December 11th, 2021: Very satisfying. This cigar started out with a blast of full bodied pepper and cocoa. It then settled down to a medium bodied cocoa as the pepper dissipated. Spice returned from time to time. There were no defined transitions. Flavours came and went. There was a peppermint in the final third. Body went up and down ranging between medium and full. Aroma came and went, excellent and refined when it came. But all the time, the cigar was complex and interesting. 

At the one hour mark

Burn was mostly good. The cigar needed a couple of relights. But that might have been due to the leisurely pace of smoking which, in turn, was due to the delicious long finish. I let the cigar go at 90 minutes. Very satisfying.

Good to the nub

6. December 31st, 2021: Last cigar of the year and it couldn't have been better. These cigars keep getting better and better. This cigar was excellent. It began with a spicy full bodied blast, which settled down to a milder, medium bodied, version after about half an inch. However, the cigar continued to build body so that by the final third it was quite intense, full bodied, peppery and moderately strong. The cigar lasted 90 minutes, the same as no. 5, above. What stood out was the balance: flavour, body, strength all fitted together nicely. Aroma was superbly rich and intense. Very satisfying. 

A very fine balance of flavour, body and strength

 

7. January 10th, 2022: This was another very satisfying cigar. I smoked this with a visiting friend. We smoked Joya Antano, AJ Fernandez San Lotano Connecticut, and several others, during his visit. The San Lotano Oval Robusto stood out as the most memorable. By comparison, I had another San Lotano Oval Gordo. The Gordo has a wonderful aroma. But it's way too strong and flavour peters out by the second half. The Robusto is a winner.

8. March 2nd, 2022: This cigar began with a blast of spice, full bodied and tasty. It was quite complex and satisfying. After about an inch, all trace of spice had disappeared, body reduced to medium and flavour was a bit powdery. Fortunately, after a few minutes, body, flavour and spice came back, demonstrating what a fine, balanced, tasty cigar this is. 80 minutes. Quite satisfying. 

At the one hour mark

9. March 30th, 2022. This cigar was a little light in the hand. Flavour was a little muted. The blast of spice which began the previous cigar didn't happen. It was still fairly tasty, but the cigar felt and tasted as though it was underpacked. The final third was squishy and flavour was thin. Nonethless, I eked 80 minutes out of it. Pleasant, but not satisfying. 

10. April 9th, 2022: This cigar was well-packed, unlike the cigar of last month, rich and delicious throughout. It burned well. Draw was fine. Aroma was rich and complex. This cigar was a fine example of the blend: everything well balanced. Around 90 minutes to the nub. Very satisfying. 

11. May 6th: First satisfying cigar after a few weeks under the weather with covid. Everything about this cigar was good: the dry aroma, the lit aroma, the draw, the burn, the flavour, the body and the strength. After a few weeks of no cigars, the strength was a little overwhelming, but I smoked the cigar to the nub. Very satisfying. 

Strange dream: I was competing in some kind of competition which involved running between railway tracks. All of a sudden I was in a strange place: It was Shanghai according to my phone. My dog was with me on a leash. 

We were thirsty and went into a shop which was all white and had cabinets containing small bottles of water. I asked for water in Chinese. But I couldn't think of any other Chinese words. I panicked at the thought that my dog would be killed for entering the country illegally. 

Then my secretary spoke to me on my phone (without it ringing). She was in Wuhan and said we had been teleported by a Hungarian illusionist. I began to get suspicious. This must be a dream. I woke up, quite dehydrated after sweating for an hour and a half while smoking the cigar. Not sure if the strange dream was due to the nicotine or the dehydration. After a few weeks of absence, it's quite likely that nicotine tolerance had abated.  

12. July 2nd, 2022, Plaka, Naxos: Very little flavour, but it was so windy it was difficult to tell whether it was the cigar or the wind. In any even, best not to smoke a cigar in the wind. Not satisfying: around 60 minutes.

13. July 13th, 2022, Chora, Naxos: a light breeze prevailed, but not as bad as the previous sample. Very pleasant and a bit of a kick, but not overwhelming. Flavour and body were in the medium range. Quite satisfying. 80 minutes.

14. July 30th, 2022: I tried a Gurkha Connecticut wrapped Gordo which boasted on it's label, Rare Reserve, Aged 12 years." Well, so much for that. It started with a bit of flavour but soon descended into thin and multidimensional. After fifteen minutes draw was almost impossible. I binned it and went to an old faithful - the San Lotano Oval Robusto. 80 minutes, easy draw, occasional whiff of rich aroma. Quite satisfying. 

15. November 2nd, 2022: This was a full bodied sample, quite strong, but too tightly packed. I had to sip it, but it was strong enough to be savoured. Excellent aroma. Very satisfying. Almost 100 minutes.

16. November 26th, 2022: The first of a new box. Very similar to that of the November 2nd, above: very strong, full bodied and too tightly packed. Aroma was exquisite. Satisfying.

17. December 29th, 2022: Full bodied from the outset but quite smooth until the final third when it became a bit intense, but not bitter. No issues with draw or burn. 90 minutes. Satisfying.

18. March 17, 2023: Deliciously spicy and medium to full body, easy draw, rich aroma; an excellent example. 90 minutes. Very satisfying. 

19 and 20. September 9th and 15th, 2023: Both excellent, spicy, full bodied, excellent draw, delicious, no dirt. Very satisfying.

21. September 30th, 2023: Not quite a dud, but flavour diminished during the second third, leaving a rather washed out flavour; otherwise, the usual quality and time. Beautiful construction.

February 15th 2024: What a brilliant cigar. It was full bodied but without any spice or bitterness. Draw was a bit tight and the cigar began to canoe in the final third, but it corrected easily with a relight. This was one of the most delicious cigars I've had in a long time: clean, smooth, full bodied, balanced. Very satisfying at 80 minutes.

Burn issue in the final third: otherwise perfect