2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #11: Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas El General

“Joya de Nicaragua had a very high profile 50th-anniversary celebration throughout 2018. All eyes were on the Cinco Décadas, which was the signature release of the celebration. The cigar made its debut at the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, and it was one of the cigars that garnered talk among media members of being ‘the cigar of the show’. It’s one that performs at a high level – and it’s one I’d easily reach for again.”

Wrapper: Not Disclosed
Binder: Not Disclosed
Filler: Not Disclosed
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua SA
El General: 7 x 50
Price: $18.95
Review: Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas El General (11/14/18)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 3 (2010, 2012, 2018)

Coming in at #11 is the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas El General. This is a limited production cigar that was issued as the signature release for Joya de Nicaragua’s 50th anniversary.

No doubt, 2018 has been a big year for Joya de Nicaragua. It’s the company that has the oldest factory in Nicaragua and has very closely tied its brand to the history and culture of Nicaragua. Late last year, Joya de Nicaragua announced its plans for how it would commemorate its 50th anniversary. It was a year-long celebration that included several cigars and even a book. The centerpiece of the celebration would be the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas. Cinco Décadas means five decades and is the company’s most premium release by Joya de Nicaragua to date.

Cinco Décadas El General gives Joya de Nicaragua its second cigar on the 2018 Countdown. It’s also the third cigar on the 2018 Countdown to come out of the company’s factory.

Details of the Cinco Décadas blend have not been disclosed – although one could safely assume the blend incorporates Nicaraguan tobacco components. The cigar is produced at the company’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Cinco Décadas has been released in two sizes – a 6 x 54 Diadem and a 7 x 50 Double Corona known as El General. Joya de Nicaragua says the significance of the sizes is that these were the first ones created at its factory.

The Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas El General delivers an amazing mix of natural tobacco, earth, pepper, cedar, and a unique cherry-cream note. This cigar provides medium-bodied flavors. Strength-wise, the Cinco Décadas El General starts out mild to medium before progressing to medium.

While this isn’t a powerhouse cigar, the profile works beautifully with this blend. The flavors produced are excellent, and it’s a cigar that can be enjoyed by both novices and experienced cigar enthusiasts. It’s a cigar that easily has earned a place on this year’s Countdown