At the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show, Joya de Nicaragua released a new cigar under its Antaño brand known as the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT. The CT stands for Connecticut and that is because the Antaño CT is a Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapped offering under its Antaño brand. The Antaño is perhaps the best-known brand in the Joya de Nicaragua portfolio. The original blend in that line is the powerhouse Antaño 1970. Many consider that Antaño 1970 a game-changing blend in terms of full strength, full-bodied cigars. The Antaño CT is the fourth line under the Antaño brand, and it follows the mantra of what this brand is known for. In this case, it’s a bolder Connecticut Shade offering. Today we take a closer look at the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT in the Robusto size.

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT is one of two Connecticut Shade cigars that were showcased by Joya de Nicaragua at the 2019 IPCPR Trade Show. The other was the Joya de Nicaragua Numero Uno, a premium offering under the Obra Maestros line. Ironically while many associate Antaño with Joya de Nicaragua, the company’s first cigar exported out of Nicaragua was a Connecticut Shade offering. That cigar is the Joya de Nicaragua Clásico Toro. Both Numero Uno and Clásico are more traditional Connecticut Shade offerings compared to the Antaño CT.

Without further ado, let’s break down the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto and see what this cigar brings to the table.

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

In addition to the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT features all Nicaraguan tobaccos for the binder and filler.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A.

Vitolas Offered

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT is available in four sizes – each is presented in 20-count boxes.

Robusto: 5 x 52
Corona Gorda: 5 1/4 x 46
Toro: 6 x 50
Belicoso: 6 x 54

Appearance

The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper is exquisite looking. It has a butterscotch color to it. There was a coating of oil on it. While the wrapper had some thin visible veins and thin visible wrapper seams, this was a wrapper that was on the smooth side.

There are two bands on the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT. The band features a mostly gold, red, and white color scheme. On the center of the band is a gold and red leaf sitting on a white circular field. The circular field has a red ring around it with gold trim. On the ring is the text “JOYA DE NICARAGUA” in white font arranged in a curved fashion. Below the ring is a red rectangular field with the text “Antaño” in white cursive font. The remainder of the band has gold and red adornments.

The secondary band is also has a gold, red, and white color scheme color with gold trim on the top and bottom. The text “CT” in white trim. There is a thin gold pin-stripe flanking the left and right side of that text.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

A straight cut was used to remove the cap of the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto. Once the cap was removed, it was on to the pre-light draw experience. The cold draw delivered a mix of cedar and floral notes. This wasn’t the most satisfying pre-light draw, but since the pre-light draw is not scored, there was no loss of points here. At this point, it was time to light up the Antaño CT Robusto and see what the smoking experience would have in store.

Tasting Notes

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto started out with a combination of lemon-citrus, cream, classic wood, black pepper, and cedar. It took a little while for a dominant note to emerge, but by the middle of the first third, the lemon-citrus and cream notes moved to the forefront. The classic wood, black pepper, and cedar settled in the background. On the retro-hale, there was an additional layer of cedar with a slight amount of black pepper mixed in.

During the second third of the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto, the cream notes started to subside and moved into the background during the early part of this stage. Meanwhile, the classic wood notes started to increase in intensity and by the latter part of the second third, these notes joined the lemon-citrus in the forefront. Concurrently the black pepper became more prominent on the retro-hale.

The last third saw the wood notes take over as the primary note. The black pepper was a close secondary note. These flavors were rounded out by the lemon-citrus and cedar notes. By this point, the creamy notes had dissipated. This is the way the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

The burn of the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto scored at our highest level – “Exceptional.” This is a cigar that had little problem maintaining a straight burn path and a straight burn line. The resulting ash was firm. This was an ash that had a salt and pepper color to it. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both maintained ideal levels.

Draw

The draw to the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto scored very nicely as well. This was a cigar that had a good balance of resistance and openness. In the end, this was a low maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.

Strength and Body

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto is a Connecticut that I would put on the bolder side, but not one that overwhelms with strength and body. Both the strength and body of the Antaño CT Robusto started out medium. There was an increase in both attributes along the way. While the Antaño CT Robusto remained in the medium range, by the last third, the body had progressed to medium to full.

In terms of strength versus body, the body had a slight edge throughout the smoking experience.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Robusto, it is a good cigar, but I found this to be a cigar that lacked “wow” power. I had high hopes for the Antaño CT specifically because it was joining the Antaño brand – the brand that I consider to have Joya de Nicaragua’s best blends. On one hand, it wasn’t as smooth and creamy as a traditional Connecticut Shade, and on the other hand, it wasn’t as bold and spicy as I was expecting from a contemporary Connecticut Shade. In the end, this is one of those cigars for which I recommend trying a sample first before deciding to purchase.

Summary

Key Flavors: Lemon-Citrus, Cream, Cedar, Classic Wood, Black Pepper
Burn: Exceptional
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full (Last Third
Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Try a Sample
Score: 88

References

News: Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT to Launch at IPCPR
Price: $8.45 (MSRP)
Source: Joya de Nicaragua
Brand Reference: Joya de Nicaragua

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop