Now that Joya de Nicaragua is turning 50 they had to do something to commemorate the occasion. For the occasion they are releasing the Cinco Decadas, which if you weren’t completely sure, translates into 5 decades. (You know 50 years.) Made from a undisclosed blend and wrapper the only thing we know about the Cinco Decadas is that is a Nicaraguan puro that was made with some of the best and most well aged tobaccos the company had. According to Juan Martínez, executive president of Joya de Nicaragua. “This is, without a doubt, the most spectacular cigar to ever come out of Joya de Nicaragua. We are not disclosing the detailed blend, but I can tell you that it’s Nicaraguan tobaccos all-around.” Cinco Decadas is going to launch in two sizes: a 7 inch by 50 ring gauge Churchill called El General and a 6 by 54 double-tapered figurado called Diadema, which is the vitola I chose for this article. Martínez says the company chose these vitolas because they were the most popular cigar sizes in the early years of the company.

Getting to the nuts and bolts of this thing, the construction seems superb, it is well filled but gives when pressed between the fingers. The wrapper is the color of dark roasted coffee beans with very light veining, the seams are tight and even and it has a subtle oily sheen to it.

The smell from the body is cocoa, cedar and the brackish smell of the ocean. From the foot the smell is the same but with an addition of the sweat smell of raisins. The cigar cuts easily and the body is not damaged. The pre-light draw provides just the wanted amount of resistance and delivers the desired full tobacco flavor. Because it’s a figurado vitola it takes a small amount of effort to get it lit but it’s the only effort you’ll have to put into this cigar.

The first half has a nice mellow flavor that includes slightly bitter dark chocolate, along with white pepper on the finish. There is a fair amount of smoke production that is of medium weight on the tongue, it burns nice and even and requires no touching up.

In the second half the flavor becomes fuller with leathery notes coming to the front along with a bit of sweetness and a overwhelming feeling of creaminess. While there is still a hint of the white pepper that lingers on the back end. The smoke production becomes more ample during smoking and begins to feel heavier which adds to the overall creamy feeling of this cigar. The burn remains consistent and even, producing thin rings of nearly white ash that hold on for over an inch until I chicken out and knock it free.

For a company that’s been around for 50 years you would expect them to be good at what they do and with the Cinco Decadas, Joya de Nicaragua proves it. Everything about this cigar screams quality and experience. This cigar was completely enjoyable from start to finish and is a perfect blend for anyone, whether it be a rookie or a seasoned smoker. The flavors are full but are with such a great smoothness it smokes like a well aged port or the way a great cooked fillet melts in your mouth. Since this is a limited production of only 25,000 of each vitola I strongly suggest that when you see these guys hit the shelves you grab as many as you can.

Wrapper: Unknown

Binder: Unknown

Filler: Unknown

Vitolas: 7 X 50 Churchill “El General” and a 6 X 54 double-tapered figurado “Diadema”

Price: $19.00 – $20.00 per stick depending on size.

Website: http://joyacigars.com/

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 pints