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These wrappers are deliciously dark and oily and the Gran Reserva line is double-banded so you’ll know what you are smoking. The aroma is spicy, but there is less presence in the mouth, perhaps from the five-year aging of the filler leaves. If in fact a “reserve” line is supposed to show more depth and subtlety from the aging of its tobaccos, then the Antano 1970 Gran Reserva selection lives up to its name. The taste features a clean line of light sweetness with a gentle hint of spice on the finish. It’s almost delicate – not what you would expect from Antano 1970s – but nicely balanced. The Gran Reserva line smokes very slowly and demands your attention; it’s not a golf cigar. The power of the blend increases in the second half with more spice on the throat, but it is never obnoxious or aggressive. It’s an interesting blend that’s worth exploring if you have the time to give to it. All three sizes are packed in boxes of 20 and range from $9.00 to $9.75 each before local tobacco and sales taxes. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion: [Nicaragua: available in 6 sizes] The Celebracion line debuted in 2004 and was described as a gentle version of the Antano 1970. However, this cigar has its own character altogether and it’s a winner in its own right. It has a medium-to-full body and a spicy aroma, but that hardly prepares you for the rich, caramelized taste that has considerable depth, but is mellow and accessible even to newcomers to the Joya de Nicaragua line. The consistency in taste is evident into the second half, but the Celebracion blend never becomes monotonous or boring as a spicy element become more prominent. Its perfect balance is complimented by prices that are just as nice: from $4.00 to $6.25 each with the Toro (6 x 50) a bargain at $4.75 each. Overall grade: A: Exceptional. Joya de Nicaragua Serie C: [Nicaragua: available in 4 sizes] In 2007, the Serie C was introduced, and unlike the other editions of the Joya de Nicaragua line, not all of the tobaccos are from Nicaragua. Instead, an Ecuadorian-grown, Connecticut-seed wrapper is used. We found this blend to be full-bodied, but not overpowering. It offers a very nice spicy and toasty aroma and a tingle of spice on the tongue as the main flavor element. There’s also an undertone of caramel in there and the balance is well conceived and well executed. The caramelized element reaches parity with the spicy tones in the second half and creates an interesting blend that’s quite refined. The four sizes are all fair short, ranging from five to six inches in length and from 46-54 in ring gauge. Pricing ranges from $4.55 to $6.75 each before local tobacco and sales taxes. Overall grade: A-: Excellent. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca and his team can be rightly proud of not just enduring, but of creating cigars which helped lead the march toward robust flavors and away from the traditionally mild blends favored for decades in the United States. These cigars are truly some of the jewels of Nicaragua. ~ Rich Perelman CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGCigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories at Humidor Vault! Your online cigar humidor source, with rock-bottom pricing and fantastic customer support!Like sports? Get news and commentary you won’t see in your morning newspaper at TheSportsExaminer.com! Join the examination! A limited amount of classified advertising is available in this space on a weekly basis. For details, call Pat Harris at (213) 365-7965 or inquire by email by clicking here. Have an opinion? You can send it using the “Comment” button below! Don’t forget to register for our drawing for free cigars and accessories! Just click on the “Register & Win” button above; enter today! Looking for a cigar party? Take a look at our exclusive list of hundreds of cigar events across the country, listed by state and date, only on CigarCyclopedia.com!
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Did you know?
“Although the preferred humidity setting for cigars is 70%, temperature control of 70-75 F is equally important.
