Cigar

Cuatro Cinco Edicion Americana TAA
Cuatro Cinco TAA

Joya de Nicaragua TAA (Tobacconists’ Association of America) Exclusive Series with the Cuatro Cinco Edición Americana was released in 2021. The cigar itself pays homage to Joya de Nicaragua’s close ties with the United States. The United States was the first market Joya de Nicaragua explored, and in the 1970s Joya de Nicaragua became the official cigar of the White House under President Richard Nixon. The Joya de Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco Edición Americana is an exclusive offering for TAA retailers.

The JDN Cuatro Cinco Edición Americana TAA Exclusive is highlighted by a Nicaraguan Criollo wrapper. It comes in one size – a 6 x 54 Belicoso, over undisclosed Grade A fillers. The cigars have been aged for a minimum of one year within vintage white oak barrels, used in a world-renowned rum distillery. A total of 500 ten-count boxes have been produced for the TAA retailers.

According to JDN, the Cuatro Cinco Edición Americana was selected to be JDN’s newest TAA exclusive release because of its outstanding performance and resemblance to the original Cuatro Cinco limited edition. “When we were deciding what the next TAA product should be, we knew it had to be special. And when the team proposed the belicoso size, the decision was made, there’s no other vitola in the Cuatro Cinco family that smokes closer to the original limited edition than this one,” said Juan Ignacio Martinez, Executive President in a press release.

“These are some of the best cigars that come out of our factory. The stories we tell with them need to be special. We have selected the Bald Eagle because of what it represents to our American friends, an example of stamina, power, and freedom. In 2021, JDN is celebrating Nicaragua’s independence bicentennial, and what a better symbol to connect us both than the symbol of freedom, ” said Daniel Barrios, Global Commercial Manager.

“It has been an exciting experience being on this side of the industry. Talking to friends and customers to evaluate this project has been a great experience. I’m excited to see how this continues to foster the partnership between TAA and Joya de Nicaragua,” added Sarah Hearton, US Field Market Manager at Drew Estate, which distributes Joya de Nicaragua.

Wanting to share the list of the Joya de Nicaragua TAA Exclusive releases, because I’ve had 3 out of the 4 and they are ABSOLUTELY a must find, smoke, and enjoy!

  • Joya de Nicaragua CyB Lancero Fino (2013)
  • Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva Presidente (2018)
  • Joya de Nicaragua Selección de Torcedor (2019)
  • Joya de Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco Edición Americana (2021)

Let’s get into this review; giving this cigar the proper acknowledgment that it deserves from the smell to the nub of this TAA.

Speaking of smell the moment I removed the cello there was an instant scent of rich soil, molasses, brown sugar, saffron, and a light essence of rose hips.

Upon lighting up there was an immediate burst of “Joy”… oh I mean flavor and upon that burst of flavor hitting my palate my glands started flowing with that saline taste. Also, upon light up the first thing that comes to mind, honey maple bourbon with a splash of burnt butter cookies! Side note, that is a thing now in case you haven’t heard or seen yet, burnt butter cookies, cakes, brownies, ext…

Now that I am burning right into the first third the flavor profile explodes into a real palate pleaser; like having a chocolate mocha with the richness of molasses, that real rich and sweet tobacco that JDN uses (if you know you know, it’s that specially aged uniquely grown tobacco that they use) with some subtle floral notes and as I transition from the first third to the second third there is some notes of cane sugar and vanilla bean.

The flavor profiles are staying the same yet the more I smoke the deeper the profiles get, more profound. Burning very well, no issues thus far, certainly having a flavor party on my palate with caramel popcorn joining the dance and just like the first transition here I am again experiencing another transition with a dash of spicy red pepper to enliven the senses and clear my sinus’s.

Smoking into my last third of this TAA cigar the swirl of goodness keeps my glands going, the profiles I pick up share the space on my palate by moving up and then stepping back, keeping the journey very enjoyable, a cigar to remember and cherish. Bold with dark chocolate, toasted cinnamon, burnt butter cookies, molasses, caramel popcorn, vanilla bean, cane sugar, with a swirl of spicy red pepper what more can you ask for in a cigar?? The journey; in my opinion; was impeccable, construction was flawless and giving this cigar a rating of 5 out of 5 pints!! What an unforgettable cigar!

Wrapper – Habano 

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – Nicaraguan

Price – About $15.00 a stick.

Website: 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. 

80th Anniversary By: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
80th Anniversary Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Thursday was a BIG BIG day with the newly announced rule that the FDA is to exempt premium cigars from tobacco regulations that the agency put in place back in 2016. With that said; we are going to bring back our cigar reviews to share with all of you. Not that the FDA had any control over our website OR our reviews for that matter but it sure seems like a good day to get reviews going once again. 

To start it off; I am honored and felt privileged to have smoked this particular cigar and to share my review with all of you. The 80th Anniversary by DT&T is an absolutely delicious smoke that will bring happiness to your palate. Especially if you’re a Mi Querida or a Umbagog fan because the 80th Anniversary was made in the same factory (Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. NACSA). With an H2000 sun grown wrapper, a binder and filler all grown in Nicaragua – this cigar just gets better and better. 

I find that each cigar made by DT&T is in its own category, its own profile, unique and unlike any other cigar that outs there. Each one lives up to the known words spoken by Steve Saka himself “Cigars are more than just a passion for us, they are our life” and continues with “We want to create puros that pay respectful tribute to the long, vaulted history of handmade vitolas, and honor the dedicated works of all the vegueros, torcedors and artist who dedicate their labors to the timeless craft”. With those words – Steve Saka certainly dedicated a cigar alright, the 80th Anniversary was dedicated to Famous Smoke Shop for being in business for 80 years. The 80th was released in October 2019 and having the opportunity to enjoy such a work of art is a smokers dream and will be remembered with every puff I had. 

Hopefully my review will have done this cigar justice and enhance your awareness of this cigar in hopes that you to have the opportunity to enjoy such a cigar! 

The Cold Draw; Richness in flavor right off the bat with some mocha coffee notes, sweetness of molasses, picked up some toasted almonds with a tinge of vanilla cream. My glands opened up and my mouth started salivating ready to light up and begin the journey! 

First third, immediately transported to a chocolate factory, rich dark chocolate, the sweetness of caramel and molasses comes through, mocha, with a very small hint of cinnamon spice – like a Mexican hot chocolate. The intensity calms down as I continue to burn through the light up process yet the flavors are very much prominent on my palate. My glands are still producing saliva which naturally cleanses the palate and I pick up a slight saline taste, which isn’t bad by no means almost like having as piece of rich dark chocolate melt in your mouth. 

Burning right on into the second third, I am now picking up a little leather, the caramel & molasses sweetness remains and now the rich vanilla taste I picked up from the cold draw presents itself on my palate. Still have a hint of Mexican hot chocolate spice coming through. The leather notes drift away and a sea salted dark chocolate drives through the fast lane because even though I have been picking up chocolate from the beginning it seems that there is another level of goodness of chocolate making its way letting you know “HERE I AM” and there is nothing like sea salt and dark chocolate. What makes this journey even more enjoyable is that I’m starting to pick up a little white chocolate in the background. 

Burning the last third right down to the nub of this cigar I would say I only had one burn issue. It started to canoe just a little bit, but after a very slight touch up with a single flame torch that did the trick and continued to burn so nicely. Overly impressed with the construction, and how much flavor is coming out of this cigar. Flavor profiles swirl around like a tilt-a-whirl ride at the fair. This cigar is very satisfying and I’m eager to take the next draw. Wrapper does not get hot, the essence of the smoke is tremendous, the 80th Anniversary has all the right notes I truly enjoy in a cigar. Not super powerful either; rating it about a medium strength with a 4 ½ out of 5 pints. Consistent is key and I can say this is a rollercoaster ride that you’ll want to be on. Takes you forward, backward, sometimes throws a sidewinder in there, I mean with the various chocolate, spice, sea salt, vanilla flavors I picked up; tag teaming with some caramel and molasses; Steve Saka really created a cigar that gives full respect to Famous Smoke Shop. 

Comes in a Toro size (6 x 52), soft box press, in a box of 10 with an MSRP of around $15 per stick and certainly delightful to sit back, pour yourself a beverage, relax, cut, light, enjoy!

Wrapper – Nicaraguan Sun Grown

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – Nicaraguan

Website: www.dunbartoncigars.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. 

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.