Cigars

Joya Black: Joya Series Part 3 of 5
Joya Black

Sometimes there are things in life are truly Black and white, plain and simple, and although the label of the Joya Black has a black and white label there is nothing plain or simple about this cigar from Joya de Nicaragua to be wrapped with a San Andres wrapper. The Joya Black was the second release within the “Joya” line. It was back in 2016 at the IPCPR Convention and Trade Show when the Joya Black was released into the cigar industry. 

I remember when they were released because it was around that time when I was starting to educate myself on the company Joya de Nicaragua. I remember reading about how the Joya line was meant to bridge Joya de Nicaragua’s rich history with the modern contemporary cigar enthusiast in mind. A cigar that has rich, robust, Nicaraguan tobacco (binder and filler) without an overpowering strength, and that Mexican San Andres wrapper to bring it all together; sounds pretty “plain and simple”, “black and white” yet the appearance and taste profile will certainly express differently! This all just my opinion so let’s get into taking a couple of cold draws, light this beauty up, and enjoy! 

Such a nice espresso color to this cigar, the smell is so deep and rich from that Nicaraguan soil with an ever so slight oily look to it. Upon taking a couple of cold draws I immediately get that nice maduro sweetness with some mocha notes and a hint of wood, certainly got the glands salivating and ready to light up. 

Upon light up there was an instant white pepper and espresso rush that trampled my palate to certainly wake up the senses to start to fully indulge in this already great cigar. As I continued the first third that white pepper calmed down but a rich sweetness of tobacco came through strong with a swirl of espresso dancing about. Certainly some rich and creamy dark chocolate came to mind as I continued to enjoy the Joya Black. Brown sugar and butter mixed with some nice coffee is what this taste reminds me of. 

As I continued onto the second third the profiles are stayed quite strong yet at the same time changed. Have you ever stirred your coffee after a few sips and gotten that cream swirled around and it changes the taste of your next sip of coffee (unless you drink it black) it’s kind of like that, a swirling profile of chocolate, espresso, mocha latte, with a little wood taste and that brown sugar butter sweetness to tie it all in. 

The last third had a little bit of black pepper, molasses, and toasted bakers spice as I guessed there would be as I got closer to the end. All that richness and well cared for tobacco really pleased my palate from start to finish. Joya Black is certainly one of those cigars that are hard to put down. The taste keeps you wanting more and more and well… more.

With these prices you can certainly have the Joya Black whenever you like. Double Robusto (5×56) – $7.95 – box of 20 $159, Nocturno (6 ¼ x 46) $6.50 – box of 20 $130, Robusto (5 ¼ x 50) $7.25 – box of 20 $145, and Toro (6×52) $7.96 – box of 20 $159.20.

Now of course prices may vary from state to state and online because me being NY the prices are definitely not that low but still very affordable. One thing that does not vary on this cigar is the 4 out of 5 pints that I rate this cigar. Certainly one that can be enjoyed morning, noon, or night, on any day and I’m sure most of you reading this article have had at least one of these Joya Black’s. On the other hand if you had not tried one yet, what are you waiting for? Enjoy and stay tuned for the next Joya review in this series.

Wrapper –  Mexican San Andres

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – Nicaraguan

Website: www.Joyacigars.com

Rating: 4.0 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. 

JFR Lunatic Hysteria Barberpole
JFR Lunatic Hysteria Barberpole

Good afternoon #DistinguishedRufffian family. It’s AZ/NM Co-Capt, T Money, back for another cigar review. Hope you are ready to enjoy your week and are preparing for the Zoom meeting this Thursday. This cigar was given to me by PA Capt, Bill, and I had to do a review on it. This is one I’ve wanted to try forever. Barberpole cigars and typically hit and miss for me, but I love Aganorsa Leaf and knew this would be a winner. With no further ado, let’s get into it.

This cigar is a Famous Smoke Shop exclusive made by Aganorsa Leaf. The one I’m reviewing is a 5 1⁄2 by 50 Robusto. Comes with a Mexican San Andres and Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Binder and filler are their signature Corojo 99 and Criollo 98 varietals. The MSRP is $6.60, so it is quite an affordable stick. As usual, I cut it with my trusty Palio cutter and lit it with my DuPont Defi Xtreme. It has a flawless barber pole construction and a semi-closed foot. The cold draw gives a ton of tobacco sweetness and some hay.

Right off the bat, it is SUPER creamy and has a smoothness to it I wasn’t quite expecting. There is a milk chocolate sweetness that is incredible. Retrohale has a slight bit of caramel with a touch of dark espresso. Getting deeper in, it has this almost praline flavor that hangs on the tongue. The draw and burn are both perfect. Towards the end of the first third, a really dark coffee note comes to the front, with a bit more strength showing through. Med body and strength to close out the first third.

Starting the second third, it is still super smooth. Sweetness is still prominent with that praline flavor hanging in there. The retrohale has a bit more spice to it, but nothing I would deem crazy for this cigar. Semi-sweet chocolate is taking over and the strength is definitely amping up right now. The creaminess starts to fade at the end of the second third, and you can tell it’s getting ready for a flavor bomb finish. Full body/Med strength.

Jumping into the final third, a slight black licorice flavor hits for a few puffs and then disappears. I’m not sure what that was about, but it was definitely there on all 3 I’ve smoked. Some deep earth comes to the front to go with that semi-sweet chocolate bite on the finish. The retrohale has that slight sting to it, but again, nothing crazy. I’m enjoying this cigar so much, that I burned my fingers trying to hold on as long as I can. Alas, I had to let it go around the 1 hour and 40 minute mark.

To sum it up, all I can say is WOW. Best barber pole cigar I’ve smoked hands down. Perfect balance throughout, and checked all of the boxes that I like in a cigar. San Andres, Corojo 99, Criollo 98, perfect draw, and perfect burn! The changes in flavor were outstanding and an experience all of their own. I instantly went to Famous Smoke online after finishing and bought 2 boxes. Also, at this price point, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better cigar.

T Money Score: 4.5/5 Rebuy *Multiple* boxes!

Perfect cigar for any time of the day, not just the morning with coffee. I can’t wait to pair this cigar with many different drinks, as well as, at different times of the year. Go grab some and let me know what you think. As always, do something nice for someone and watch someone’s 6. Hope this review finds you well! Talk care family.

Wrapper – Mexican San Andres and Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – Nicaraguan

Website: www.Famous-Smoke.com

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 pints

  • Travis Peterson AKA T Money is the Co-Captain of the Arizona/New Mexico Chapter of Distinguished Ruffians. He started his cigar journey in 2007 and hasn’t looked back. Outside of cigars he has a passion for brewing beer, playing guitar, bowling and golf. He is also a self proclaimed grilling and smoking expert. 

Joya Silver From Joya De Nicaragua: Joya Series Part 2 of 5
Joya Silver

I will have to say that the Joya Silver is definitely the second best cigar I enjoy smoking within the JDN line of cigars. When JDN released Joya Silver back in 2018 at the IPCPR Trade Show; I was working at another cigar shop (different than the one I am currently working at now) there was certainly a buzz going around about Joya Silver. There was a sense of anticipation; a build up; ready for it to come in and hit the shelves so all who had heard about it can give it a try. I was already a huge JDN fan and after hearing that the launch of Joya Siler was part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebration the excitement grew more. Side note; I do find it rather amusing that “WE” as cigar smokers will get totally excited, enthused, like a child waiting to open up presents on Christmas day for a particular cigar to come out. Well, with a box press shape and a dark Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper, who wouldn’t get excited. 

I must say I have enjoyed this cigar EVERY time I have sparked one up since its release date. I do recall asking myself “why don’t I have this cigar more often?” after every time I’ve ended a Joya Silver. I have certainly not smoked this cigar as often as I would like to (which might change after today) because sometimes all it takes is “lighting” the flame to start a cigar to bring back the memories, and realizing what you’ve been missing. In my opinion it truly is an affordable cigar with all the right profiles I enjoy with complexity, medium to full body strength and an exceptional flavor. It’s not a question of why, but why not enjoy this cigar on a regular basis. Speaking of exceptional flavor, let’s get into the review. 

Joya Silver has an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a San Andres Mexican Binder, along with Nicaraguan fillers the taste really shines through during the pre-light/cold draw experience. The cold draw delivered some earth, floral, cedar, dark chocolate covered cherries, and almost a hint of molasses crossed with some black currant (cassis). It has a real Nicaraguan richness to the cigar that gets your palate salivating for the light up. 

Upon lighting up; there is a burst of black cherry and black pepper that hits you, woke me up in a sense, to embark on the journey of this great cigar. As I continued on the first 1/3rd of this cigar that smack of black pepper and black cherry intensity calmed down and settled into some nice dark chocolate, little cedar, cassis, while that black pepper and cherry was still hanging around. the burn was very consistent, had a smooth draw, burrows of smoke, and the profiles continue to impress. As I continued, there is a creaminess that settles things down a bit, not to say the profiles get diminished in anyway, it’s almost like comparing a peanut butter and sandwich separately; both are good on their own yet when combined together there is that smooth richness/creaminess of flavor that happens while you enjoy. So, that’s kind of what’s going on for me. As I continued smoking into the second third, all the flavors were great yet mixed together there was a “creaminess” that helped tie it all together. 

It’s interesting (in some ways) that each time I’ve enjoyed a Joya Silver there’s always something new I pick up OR a profile that REALLY shines through above the others. In this case a bakers spice really stands out during this second third. Nutmeg, allspice, ginger, clove and toasted cinnamon come to my palate with of course some dark chocolate churning to a semi sweet bakers chocolate while that black cherry is still dancing in the background. The black pepper asked white pepper to join the party. As I transitioned into the last third of Joya Silver some rich earthy notes came through along with some molasses. 

Burning up the last third of Joya Silver most of the profiles stay the same and swirl around from the front to the back of the palate. It was hard to put down because the taste is so good you want to keep puffing yet you want to enjoy it FULLY without getting the cigar to hot. From start to finish the burn was smooth and no issues whatsoever. Black pepper seemed to have dropped the white pepper (must of not been a good dancer) because there was a rich molasses, black pepper, and dark almost a caramelized cherry that came through within the last third. Not over powering or over baring, just real rich aaaaand delicious! 

Now, was I getting all of these profiles from when I smoked Joya Silver for the very first time? Honestly probably not; but I know I enjoyed every puff and certainly enjoyed it all of the other times I had moments with Joya Silver. This session in particular deepened my appreciation for Joya Silver, like most of the cigars I get a chance to review, but for the Joya Silver it has filled the spot of the “everyday” kind of cigar I have been looking for. When you work in a cigar shop I guess ANY cigar can be your “everyday” smoke yet Joya Silver hit’s ALL of the right notes for me and it’s not that I’m not going to smoke anything else during the day BUT I can certainly incorporate the Joya Silver as one that I WILL enjoy more often than just once in awhile. 

I rate this cigar 4.5 out of 5 pints and with a price tag like this YOU too could incorporate the Joya Silver into your wheel house of everyday smokes. Joya Silver comes in boxes of 20 with sizes that consist of Ultra (6 ¼ x 46) $6.30, Toro (6×52) $7.80, Corona (5 ¼ x42) $6.30, and Robusto (5×50) $7.10. If you’ve had one then you know, if you haven’t had one then I would strongly suggest you trying one; at those prices, again, not why but WHY NOT?? Cheers and enjoy!

Wrapper –  Ecuadorian Habano

Binder – Mexican San Andres

Filler – Nicaraguan

Website: www.Joyacigars.com

Rating: 4.5 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.