Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco

One could make the argument that Nicaragua has become, or is quickly becoming, the nucleus of premium cigar production. The Central American nation is closing the gap on the Dominican Republic, currently the largest exporter of cigars to the U.S., and a list of the world’s hottest brands is likely to have as many Nicaraguans as any other country.

This is a relatively new trend. Ten years ago, few would have predicted Nicaragua would be where it is today, competing with the likes of the Dominican Republic and Cuba for quality, attention, and prestige. And going back even further to 1968, there was only one cigar manufacturer in Nicaragua: Joya de Nicaragua.

This year is Joya’s 45th anniversary, and the company is celebrating by doing something it hardly ever does: releasing a limited edition. “With this cigar we are capturing the true Nicaraguan Spirit, rich in the tradition that embodies our cigars and that defines us as the archetypal Nicaraguan cigar maker, because before Joya, there was no Nicaraguan cigar,” said Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, head of Joya de Nicaragua. “While this cigar promotes our heritage, it is also a celebration of the future and the many years we still have ahead of us.”

Called Cuatro Cinco, the cigar is a Nicaraguan puro with tobaccos from Estelí and Jalapa. The filler is of particular interest; it’s aged Ligero that had been resting in oak barrels. Only 4,500 boxes of 10 have been made, and only one vitola is available: a large, semi-box-pressed smoke that measures 6 inches long with a ring gauge of 54.

With a smooth, reddish wrapper, pre-light notes of cocoa and dried fruit, and a well-executed cap, Cuatro Cinco is aesthetically pleasing. It clips easily with a double guillotine to reveal a smooth cold draw that leaves a little mustiness on the lips.

Once lit, the cigar opens with a complex, balanced profile that tastes a little leathery and a little sweet, with a base of earth and moderate spice. Espresso and cashew enter the equation around the midway point. In the final portion, there’s an increase in spice and dry wood. All the while the combustion qualities are befitting a cigar of the Joya de Nicaragua name: great draw, straight burn, solid ash, and above average smoke production.

For my personal taste, the asking price of $13 is more than fair. Cuatro Cinco hits all the right notes. It’s traditional in flavor yet somehow also unique. It’s powerful yet nuanced. And, perhaps above all, it leaves a lasting impression. That results in the stellar rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

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–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys