Quick Smoke: Joya de Nicaragua Cuatro Cinco Reserva Especial Doble Robusto

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

In 2013, Joya de Nicaragua released Cuatro Cinco to celebrate its 45th anniversary. Only 4,500 boxes of 10 were made in a single vitola (6 x 54) that sold out in just a few short weeks. I consider that smoke to be my favorite Joya ever made, so I was pleased when the oldest cigar manufacturer in Nicaragua decided to revive Cuatro Cinco as a regular production line in 2015—even if the blend isn’t quite the same. Like the Toro, the Doble Robusto (5 x 56) sports barrel-aged, Grade A fillers from Nicaragua, a Dominican binder, and a shade-grown Habano wrapper from Jalapa. The lightly box-pressed cigar, which retails for $10.50, is rich, full-flavored, and chalky in texture with bold notes of espresso, dark chocolate, black pepper, creamy peanut, and cayenne heat. It’s well-balanced, well-constructed, and well worth your time and money.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys