Cigar: Joya De Nicaragua Cabinetta
gift from T.G. and Jon Drew
Drink / Food: Eagle Rare bourbon on the rocks
Outside Factors: Out in shop, cool evening, fire going
Construction: Nice rustic two toned wrapper. Well constructed with even bunching. Firm throughout, slightly more so above the band. Wrapper has sweet composted hay and spice scent. End is sweet tobacco and mint.
Prelight : Cuts cleanly, great bunching under cap. Draws perfectly prelight with some mint and spice on draw.
First Third: Spice and some light pepper. Hits on middle and sides of tongue rather than blast to the throat. Interesting. Very definite taste of almonds on the finish.
Draw: Perfect
Burn: Almost perfect throughout entire cigar.
Ash/Smoke: Ash rarely holds over ½”. Possibly due to no stems in the bunching (blessing/curse). Nice gray color. Smoke is solid and gains creaminess as cigar continued. Nice mouth feel.
Second Third: The cigar is a nice accompaniment to the bourbon. Would try this with a good rum next time. I am smoking fairly fast, but cigar stays smooth without turning harsh or bitter. Some creamy cedar enters in with the almond on the finish. Pepper and spice have smoothed and some citrus enters; possibly orange peel.
Final third: Cedar has replaced almond completely. Smoke and finish are very creamy now. Spice steps back up but still smooth and on center of tongue. A nondescript herbal taste is in play if cigar is allowed to rest and cool. The change in wrapper did not change the flavor to me.
Strength: Medium
Flavor: medium full
Overall Impression: I didn’t know what to think before starting this cigar. I was pleasantly surprised. This is a very good B+ cigar that I would recommend to anyone. I think it has enough flavor to satisfy a stronger cigar smoker, but medium in strength to be accommodating to a newer smoker. Just a personal opinion, but as I smoked it, I felt this would have excellent aging potential.
Construction: 9 10
Prelight: 4 5
First Third: 13 15
Draw: 10 10
Burn: 9 10
Ash / Smoke: 7 10
Second Third: 9 10
Final Third: 9 10
Overall impression: 18 20
Total Score:
88 100