We are about to embark on a journey. A journey that will educate you, a journey that will possibly send you cigar shopping at your local brick and mortar or perhaps shop online for the cigars that Joya de Nicaragua has to offer. It’s certainly a “family” of cigars that have always steered me right. Just like when I am working at Ed Leez tobacco here in Albany, NY, [shameless plug but we’ll allow it] I introduce fellow cigar enthusiasts to something new or different, or even guiding a new cigar smoker, there are 3 top cigars (from a mild stand point) that I choose to show and the Antaño CT is right at the top of my list. Now, I can talk about ALL of the cigars that JDN has to offer, in fact; that’s exactly my intent for the next several reviews. Some you may have had, some you may have not and others, there might be a chance, you didn’t know about. To kick things off with I’m going to start with the Antaño CT. Let’s get into it! 

The Antaño CT was introduced to the market back in 2019 at the IPCPR Trade Show. With its Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper and a Nicaraguan binder & filler this is not your typical mild cigar. Very bold in flavor it’s s damn near a flawless cigar from start to finish. Being that JDN had been established since 1968 they have had many of years to perfect some really good tasting cigars. As for the Antaño CT it has a silky smooth wrapper; almost a butterscotch look to it and to quote the JDN website “It may seem tamer than its bolder predecessors. Don’t be fooled, Antaño CT is a masterful and paradoxical blend of what a cigar with attitude can look like. A cigar that defies expectations; a smoke for those with defying souls.” So without further ado let’s cut, light, sit back, relax, and enjoy! 

As I usually do pre-light I take a couple of cold draws and was picking up some cedar, earthy wood, rich soil, and floral notes. Usually the rich soil flavor of a cigar I do not notice but perhaps because of the rich volcanic soil JDN grows their tobacco in there is a subtle hint of that richness during a couple of cold draws. Onward to the lighting up! 

Right off the first puff I immediately pick up some black pepper, wood, citrus and cream. As I continue into the first third the pepper calms down yet that cream and citrus with a hint of floral emerges victorious as the journey continues. Black pepper still hangs around but it’s subtle and graces your palate with a nice balance of profiles. Cedar, toasted almonds and a soft essence of cinnamon join the party. 

Smoking into my second third the profiles are certainly swirling around like being spun on a dance floor. The profiles dance forward, backward, sideways, and every which way. All staying consistent and switching partners along the way. You’ll get some in the front and then they will go in the back but all in harmony as the dosey doe continues to bring joy to my palate. The citrus and cream notes really tie this square dance all together.

Ready to finish this dance party heading into the last third the wood, cream, a slight taste of Cinnamon, toasted Almonds and citrus, hang strong as I enter that last third the black pepper starts to really come through yet the balance really happens when that soft white pepper joins the black pepper. It’s not POW in your face or harsh, it’s this perfect balance of peppers that hit me. That deep rich spice of black pepper yet that soft creamy touch of the white pepper subdue the black pepper so it doesn’t smack you to harshly. 

The burn is absolutely outstanding and stayed consistent all the way through. The strength of the Antaño CT is truly a mild to medium cigar yet for most of us full body smokers out there; Mild with a ton of flavor! A perfect sequential dance that leaves the palate wanting more! 

The Antano CT is available in four sizes and each presented in 20 count boxes. Robusto: (5×52) $8.45 MSRP, Corona Gorda: (5 ¼ x46) $8.00 MSRP, Toro; (6×52) $9.70 MSRP, also the size I smoked, and Belicoso: (6×54) $9.90 MSRP. So there you have it folks the first review of the JDN line of cigars with more to come. So stay tuned to the IG posts on when our Distinguished Ruffian Website will be posting the next review. Certainly a very HIGHLY recommended cigar for you to try and have again; a 5 out of 5 pints for me! Until next time STAY SMOKEY everyone!!

Wrapper –   Ecuadorian Connecticut shade

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – Nicaraguan

Website: www.Joyacigars.com

Rating: 5 out of 5 pints

• William O’Connor, AKA Billy Kartwheels, is the Co-Captian of the Distinguished Ruffians NY Chapter. Billy has had an interesting life, going through college, being in the Navy and living on a submarine, he has visited 48 states (hitchhiking through 35) of them and even lived in a Hare Krishna monastery for some time. After having numerous brushes with death durring his travels he has decided it was best to take it easy and appreciate life to its fullest all while smoking a cigar at the same time.