Here is the cigar featured in the latest episode of the Cigar Snapshot Podcast:
Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta No. 7
Size: 6x50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sungrown Criollo & Ecuadorian Shade Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
About:
The Joya de Nicaragua cigar company has been in Estelí, Nicaragua since 1968. The company is owned by Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca, and is imported and distributed exclusively in the United States by Drew Estate.
Prior to the release of the Cabinetta line, Joya de Nicaragua was probably best known for their Antaño cigars, which are very full-bodied and flavored. Check out their website for more information:
http://www.joyadenicaragua.com.ni/
These cigars were actually sent out for the annual Herf hosted by Doc of the Stogie Fresh 5 Podcast. I work with Doc each year to secure sponsorship for his Herf, and I am pleased to report that Jonathan Drew really stepped up and supported the event! In the future, I will be smoking other cigars that were donated to Docs 5th Annual Central Coast Herf, and will be sure to identify them as such so that you can show them your support!
Pre-light:
The striking feature that is immediately visible on this cigar is that fact that there are two different wrappers. The top quarter of the cigar has the dark sungrown wrapper, and the bottom ¾ has the lighter Ecuadorian Shade Grown wrapper. Both wrappers are beautiful and very smooth to the touch. The sungrown wrapper has a slight sheen, with a barnyard aroma. The shade grown wrapper had a pleasant light-cedary aroma with a touch of dried fruit.
The prelight aroma also had a dried fruit like component, with a solid background of hay.
1/3:
The cigar started off with a very mild and creamy character, with the sungrown wrapper adding a touch of spiciness to my lips. The spicy tingle reminded me of the general sensation I get if I get hot sauce on my lips, albeit a much milder version. This relatively low-key profile was pretty steady throughout the first half, and the cigar did produce and extraordinary volume of smoke for me.
2/3:
The flavor profile in the second third becomes a little more focused. While still mild overall, the creamy character of the first third became more buttery with some notes of leather. There was still a slight spiciness on my lips and tongue from the wrapper. The buttery and leathery flavors were a bit of a better match to the spiciness in my opinion, and they all fused together as the second third continued.
3/3:
As I approached the final third, the spiciness that I noted on my lips and tongue became more prevalent. The creamy/buttery character falls to the background, and the leathery flavors come to the forefront. In addition, the spice started to build and intensify, though it never got past what I would qualify as a medium-level spiciness. The last third is where the flavors finally came together and began to shine.
Overall:
I think that this was a pleasant mild to medium bodied smoke, and that the addition of the sungrown wrapper was the saving grace to this cigar. It gave the cigar the spicy characteristics that set it apart from what could have been a pretty flat flavor profile. To me, the final third of the cigar is really where it hit its stride.
The full episode can be downloaded or listened to HERE.
Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta No. 7
Size: 6x50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sungrown Criollo & Ecuadorian Shade Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
About:
The Joya de Nicaragua cigar company has been in Estelí, Nicaragua since 1968. The company is owned by Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca, and is imported and distributed exclusively in the United States by Drew Estate.
Prior to the release of the Cabinetta line, Joya de Nicaragua was probably best known for their Antaño cigars, which are very full-bodied and flavored. Check out their website for more information:
http://www.joyadenicaragua.com.ni/
These cigars were actually sent out for the annual Herf hosted by Doc of the Stogie Fresh 5 Podcast. I work with Doc each year to secure sponsorship for his Herf, and I am pleased to report that Jonathan Drew really stepped up and supported the event! In the future, I will be smoking other cigars that were donated to Docs 5th Annual Central Coast Herf, and will be sure to identify them as such so that you can show them your support!
Pre-light:
The striking feature that is immediately visible on this cigar is that fact that there are two different wrappers. The top quarter of the cigar has the dark sungrown wrapper, and the bottom ¾ has the lighter Ecuadorian Shade Grown wrapper. Both wrappers are beautiful and very smooth to the touch. The sungrown wrapper has a slight sheen, with a barnyard aroma. The shade grown wrapper had a pleasant light-cedary aroma with a touch of dried fruit.
The prelight aroma also had a dried fruit like component, with a solid background of hay.
1/3:
The cigar started off with a very mild and creamy character, with the sungrown wrapper adding a touch of spiciness to my lips. The spicy tingle reminded me of the general sensation I get if I get hot sauce on my lips, albeit a much milder version. This relatively low-key profile was pretty steady throughout the first half, and the cigar did produce and extraordinary volume of smoke for me.
2/3:
The flavor profile in the second third becomes a little more focused. While still mild overall, the creamy character of the first third became more buttery with some notes of leather. There was still a slight spiciness on my lips and tongue from the wrapper. The buttery and leathery flavors were a bit of a better match to the spiciness in my opinion, and they all fused together as the second third continued.
3/3:
As I approached the final third, the spiciness that I noted on my lips and tongue became more prevalent. The creamy/buttery character falls to the background, and the leathery flavors come to the forefront. In addition, the spice started to build and intensify, though it never got past what I would qualify as a medium-level spiciness. The last third is where the flavors finally came together and began to shine.
Overall:
I think that this was a pleasant mild to medium bodied smoke, and that the addition of the sungrown wrapper was the saving grace to this cigar. It gave the cigar the spicy characteristics that set it apart from what could have been a pretty flat flavor profile. To me, the final third of the cigar is really where it hit its stride.
The full episode can be downloaded or listened to HERE.
