A unique Joya de Nicaragua masterpiece available only at DDRP events in the USA: The ultra-limited Cuatro Cinco Belicoso – Exclusive for DDRP

Joya De NicaraguaWhen Cuatro Cinco was originally released in 2013, it immediately became a favorite amongst smokers around the world and it was dubbed one of JDN’s true “Obras Maestras”. This summer, Joya de Nicaragua and Drew Estate are making an exclusive and limited beautiful smoke for cigar lovers across America: Cuatro Cinco Belicoso Exclusivo Eventos DDRP. This rare realease of Cuatro Cinco, will be ultra-limited to two boxes available for sale at Drew Diplomat Events (DDRP) from June until the end of 2019.

Cuatro Cinco is an extraordinary achievement by Fábrica Joya de Nicaragua. Originally released as Edición Limitada, it commemorated 45 years of cigar manufacturing. Cuatro Cinco Belicoso Exclusivo is a carefully refined recipe featuring select Grade A fillers, aged within vintage white oak barrels. This super-premium blend delivers subtle, but extraordinarily enchanting woody notes, complex flavors and a velvety finish, due to the combination of Nicaraguan wrapper, Dominican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers.

“As a unique symbol of appreciation to the Joya de Nicaragua and Drew Estate fans that come over to our events, we are delighted to share one of our factory’s greatest blends. If the Limited Edition Cuatro Cinco was a collector’s item, we can say that the Belicoso surpasses its uniqueness, and the only moment when it will be found in stores will be during our events at DDRP accounts, only 1,000 boxes available nationwide” stated Juan Ignacio Martínez, Executive President of Joya de Nicaragua.

The Cuatro Cinco Belicoso Exclusivo Eventos DDRP is a 6 x 54 Box Pressed cigar that will be available Joya De Nicaraguaas of June for DDRP Events with a limited offer of only 2 boxes per event at an MSRP $140 with all sales based on availability, so first-come, first-served.

Fans of Joya de Nicaragua are encouraged to download Drew Diplomat the official mobile application of Drew Estate – The Rebirth of Cigars which is available in the App Store for iPhone®, and on Google Play™ for Android™. For more information head to . For a complete list of DDRP events please visit the Drew Diplomat App.

About Joya de Nicaragua

Established in 1968, Joya de Nicaragua is Nicaragua’s first and oldest cigar factory in operation. JDN’s commitment to quality along with their skillful and resilient people have brought their handmade cigars to over 50 countries around the world, making it Nicaragua’s most international brand.

Obras Maestras is Joya de Nicaragua’s designation for its ultra-premium family of cigars. It features commemorative master blends handcrafted by our most outstanding artisans. Its brands include Cinco Décadas and Cuatro Cinco (Viña Carmen’s 2016 Cigar of the Year).

Viva la Vida

Viva la VidaArtesano Del Tobacco is a boutique cigar brand based out of the Big Apple. Not a name that rings a bell for most but with more than 2 decades in the industry I’m sure they know a thing or two. They started in the cigar business 25 years ago in New York as “New York Cigar Inn” which housed the only Cigar Aficionado humidor and lounge in the world. They eventually sold the lounge to Casa de Montecristo and reached out to A.J. Fernandez to form what we have here today, Viva La Vida or “live your life” for all my gringos out there. I mean, who else would you reach out too? The guys only the worlds best master blender ..no biggie.

At a glance the cigar features a very toothy wrapper, Oily sheen and a milk chocolate color. In the sunlight there’s almost a Burgundy hue to it .. not sure, maybe its the whisky messing with me. Veins and seam are barely noticeable as one would expect from a habano oscuro 2000. What resembles a clown like figure on the band really draws the eyes in, definitely reminiscent of the 80’s style Harley Quinn from the Batman comic books. Firm to the touch (that’s what she said) with no dead spots and this bad boys rocking a triple cap like no ones business. Packed well and might I say the ciViva la Vidagar has some decent weight to be a 5X54 Robusto.

*Insert sniffing noises here* Beautiful aromas of Coffee and leather, the foot carried the same notes with a hint of cinnamon. A straight cut was my weapon of choice, medium draw with flavors parallel to the aromas. Lighting the cigar you’re greeted with a decent amount of pepper and if your a “real man” go-ahead and retro hale. You’re greeted with an array of toasted nuts is the best way I can put it being that I couldn’t really put my finger on just one.

The first half carried the nutty profile and the pepper toned down quite a bit. Hints of floral and malt start to kick in and the burn is razor sharp. This is usually the time I decide what ill be drinking. Paired it with some Grangestone 12 year I had sitting around, the pair was like waking up to Journey as your morning ringtone… just a perfect way to set things off.

Viva la VidaThe second half is where the “ooo” and “ahh” come in. The malty tobacco flavor takes over as the cigar really heats up and the finish of every draw leaves a sweet floral note. The burn doesn’t change in the slightest. I rolled the ash off to see what was happening on the inside and like I figured a pencil tip cherry was in the driver seat. Always the staple of a good roll. A solid smoke all the way around and being that it’s a new smoke for 2019 I definitely see it gaining traction and becoming a great go to. Id say its a Medium/ Medium full but I’m sure anyone can find something they enjoy about this smoke.

Wrapper: Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Price: $10.50 – $14.50 depending on vitola

Instagram: artesanodeltobacco

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 pints

Article by guest author Andy Melo

 

La Instructora: Perfection

La Instructora Perfection CigarThe La Instructora line is one of those sneaky brands that doesn’t do a lot of intense marketing but rather lets the tobacco do the talking. Quietly released in 2016 and on a larger scale at the 2017 IPCPR. The line was formed by farmer Jose “Jochy” Blanco of Tabacalera Palma and Aaron Saide owner of Chatham Cigar in Midland, Mich. during a work trip Aaron had taken to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. It was by happenstance that the Perfection cigar became a brand with a Aaron having a chance run in with one of the rollers who made a cigar for him to smoke. He liked the cigar so much that he went back the next day and began working out the details for the blend with the head roller until the line was perfected. I was able to get my hands on some of the Perfection cigars and had a great time smoking them.

The look of the cigar is interesting with it’s oily red color Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper. It is fairly smooth but there is some veining to it. The seams are nice, tight and nearly invisible. The construction is firm to the touch and no dead spots could be found along the body. The cap cut easily with no damage taking place to the cigar. The smell from the body was a nice barnyard aroma mixed with a hint of sweet spices, from the foot it was similar odors only more pronounced.

The cap cut easily with no damage taking place to the cigar. The pre-light draw gave a minimal resistance but was not a struggle and gave the usual rich tobacco flavor that I prefer along with a bit of malt and sweetness. It lights easily and and the first flavors are quite spicy. The smoke productionLa Instructora Perfection is large and medium bodied, resting well on the pallet so flavors can be extracted.

The flavors of the first half of this cigar are red pepper with a bit of earth and leather near the finish. The cigar burns well keeping an even edge and maintained its excellent construction.

The second have had a slight transition where the pepper flavor moved more to the back seat and the earthiness became more prevalent along with the addition of some coffee notes. The burn continued to remain even and there was no need to touch up the light at any point.

This was really a surprise hit for me. After having seen them in my local B&M shop for a while I was always curious to try them and glad I did. While I would describe it as a medium to medium full bodied cigar it’s profile is accessible enough to be smoked by anyone. If you have yet to try this line I would suggest going out and getting a couple because you will not be disappointed.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado

Binder: Dominican Criollo 98′

Filler: Dominican Criollo 98′ Dominican Piloto

Price: $10.00 – $18.00 depending on vitola

Website: lainstructoracigars.com

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 pints