Today, we review the Angel Cuesta in the Salomones format by J.C. Newman Cigar Company. Angel Cuesta is named for Angel LaMadrid Cuesta, one of the co-founders of the iconic Cuesta-Rey line. Cuesta came to the U.S. in 1884 and opened his own cigar factory. Eventually, Cuesta joined forces with Peregrino Rey, and Cuesta-Rey was born. Cuesta was friends with Spain’s King Alfonso XIII, leading to Cuesta-Rey becoming the king’s official cigar. While Cuesta-Rey is a current line in the J.C. Newman portfolio, in 2023, J.C. Newman paid homage to Angela Cuesta with his own line of cigars. In the spirit of paying homage, the Angel Cuesta line is made at J.C. Newman’s El Reloj factory in Ybor City.
SPECIFICATIONS
J.C. Newman has not disclosed most of the details of the Angel Cuesta blend. The wrapper is what the company terms “Ecuadorian Havana Rosado.” Details of the binder and filler have not been released other than “aged binder and filler tobaccos from three continents.” As mentioned, production for the Angel Cuesta line comes from the El Reloj factory in Tampa, Florida. The Salomones come in a 7 1/4 x 57 size.
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Havana Rosado
- Binder: Undisclosed
- Filler: Undisclosed
- Country of Origin: United States
- Factory: El Reloj
- Salomones: 7 1/4 x 57
PERFORMANCE
The Angel Cuesta Salomones opened up with notes of natural tobacco, earth, fruit, and black pepper. Early on, the natural tobacco, earth, and fruit notes were all primary. The fruit notes settled in the background with the pepper notes. Some cedar notes also surfaced in the background. The earth emerged as the main primary note as the Angel Cuesta moved into the second third. There was an increase in the pepper as the cigar experience progressed. The pepper was more prominent in the second third, but it still was not overpowering. As for the retro-hale, it delivered an additional layer of pepper as well.
The draw had a touch of resistance, which I liked. This is not easy to achieve with a Salomon. The burn did require some maintenance as it meandered several times and had some jaggedness on the burn line.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
With the Angel Cuesta Salomones, I found the cigar to be visually impressive. When it came to the smoking experience, it simply did not deliver at the level of the Toro. I expected more in the way of complexity with the Salomones than I did with the Toro. In addition, the burn was higher maintenance than I prefer. Also, if you ask me which has the better flavor, I would still give the Toro an edge. In the end, $22.00 is still a pricey cigar. While the Angel Cuesta Salomones is not a bad cigar, I’m more inclined to recommend the Toro and have one see if they can try a sample of the Salomones.
Summary
Key Flavors: Earth, Natural Tobacco, Apple, Bread, Cedar, Pepper
Burn: Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Plus
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good
Rating
Value: Try a Sample
Score: 88
REFERENCES
Previous Assessment: Angel Cuesta Toro by J.C. Newman Cigar Company
News: J.C. Newman to Debut Angel Cuesta at 2022 PCA Trade Show
Price: $22.00
Source: J.C. Newman Cigar Company
Brand Reference: JC Newman
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
Note: Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments using a lightweight, shorter format. They will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time or a blend we are looking at in a different size.
