After communist rule in Nicaragua hit the brand of Joya de Nicaragua, a lot of innovation and effort had to happen to revive the brand. For a bit of history, it’s good to know that Joya de Nicaragua was once a choice brand for US presidents with its Nicaraguan puro flavor. While known as a classic amongst veterans, this brand had to find its way back to the market.
In 2002, the revival of the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño did just that. Imagine a cigar that was such a hit; the makers had to up the flavor by making a special 1970 throwback release. The 1970 version had its component leaves and parts set aside for more aging and curing. For the touch of nostalgia, ‘Antaño’ means ‘yesteryear’ in Spanish.
Why 1970? It’s a throwback to the brand’s height before much of the country was ravaged by political turmoil due to communism. Good times, indeed.
This Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 review will help you decide if you want this vintage cigar in your humidor. This review of Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 will also introduce you to the flavors that made the brand a beloved one in the 1970s.
According to Cigar Aficionado, this cigar has been rated more than 90 at least four times in the past decade. Not bad—so let’s explore the flavors.
| Wrapper Origin: Nicaragua | Shape: Robusto |
| Length: 5.5 | Ring: 50 |
| Wrapper: Habano Criollo | List Price: $170 (Box of 20) |
| Origin: Nicaragua | Strength: Full |
Appearance of Antaño 1970 Robusto Grande
The smoothened contours of the box make it easy on the eyes. Its dark brown shade is a good complement to the gold type font. On the front side is written ‘Robusto Grande’ in simple italics.
The color of the cigars is dark reddish-brown. The gold and red band surround the unmistakable green tobacco logo, with the gold accent flaring out on both sides.
The sheen of the cigar is smooth with a fair amount of oil. There are few veins, and the cigar looks solidly constructed.
Smoking Experience
The body of the flavor of the cigar is almost present in the scent of the cold draw. Deep, complex cocoa notes are already reminiscent of Nicaraguan puros.
In the first few puffs, the draw is unmistakable. The flavor presented itself in its sweetness with cocoa. A few minutes later, the spice joins in the notes. The sweetness changes into dried cherry flavors first, which then leads into a spicy sweetness at the end of the first third. The creaminess is also helping balance the peppery flavors.
The second third presents the same set of flavors but with more richness and body. At this point, the cigar is full-bodied with all of the richness of a Nicaraguan Puro. The fruity flavors are also starting to develop into a floral note.
The final third of the cigar showed the richness of the flavors, but with the bold, strong flavors becoming prominent. There are no idle flavors as the complexity ramps up with the raisin, some fruitiness, creaminess, spice, cocoa, and even coffee.
Overall
The whole development of the flavors is complex and pleasant. The cigar’s strength is not for new enthusiasts, but the richness of the body is worth appreciating for veterans. The second third is packed with flavors, too, as it reaches a penultimate flavor bomb towards the start of the final third. A one-hour session of smoking is going to be worth it for this cigar. The construction, burn, and ash are all remarkable. Moreover, this is a well-priced cigar below $10. This cigar can give you a classic flavor from a heritage brand. Antaño 1970 will bring in the nostalgia, too, because vintage classics, as they say, get better with time. I give it a 90.
Other Cigars Reviews
Other Joya De Nicaragua Cigar Reviews
Joya de Nicaragua Silver
Joya de Nicaragua, a cigar manufacturer renowned for over 50 years of excellence, produces some of the finest cigars out of Nicaragua, beloved by aficionados worldwide. Among its esteemed products, the Joya de Nicaragua Silver stands out for its full-bodied yet smooth flavor profile, perfect for those seeking a quality Nicaraguan cigar. This Robusto-shaped cigar, with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Mexican binder, and Nicaraguan fillers, presents a complex blend of pepper, nuts, coffee, and subtle cocoa, evolving to include hay and creaminess in the final third. Despite minor inconsistencies in draw tightness, its construction impresses, particularly with firm ash, even burn, and generous smoke output. Indeed, the Joya de Nicaragua Silver offers a premium, well-balanced smoking experience, worthy of both special occasions and gift-giving, ensuring you get value for its $150 price tag for a box of 20.
Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo La Niveladora
Nicaraguan puros, particularly strong ones like the six-inch Joya Dark Corojo La Niveladora, are a notable indulgence for aficionados. ‘La Niveladora’ translates to ‘the bulldozer,’ indicating its robust flavor profile. This review assesses the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo La Niveladora, focusing on its complexity, body, and value for enthusiasts of potent, well-constructed cigars. The cigar, renowned for its full strength, features an elegant, velvety, dark wrapper contrasted with a striking gold band. It presents an array of flavors from cocoa and pepper to floral notes, evolving into a heavier, distinctly full taste profile towards the end. With a smoking time of over an hour, its rich, spicy, and creamy notes, coupled with a composition of three-year-old long filler Nicaraguan tobaccos, justify its price point, meriting an 88 rating and making this review of Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo La Niveladora a commendable choice for those seeking a complex, satisfying smoke.
Other Nicaraguan Cigar Reviews
Alec Bradley Sun Grown Robusto
The Alec Bradley Sun Grown Robusto is an exquisite Nicaraguan blend featuring a captivating Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper. Having sat in the humidor for an extended period, the cigar presents a seamless, vein-free wrap, paired with an ornate band. Prior to lighting it, the cigar emanates aromas of sweet cocoa, coffee, and cedar. Once lit, the smoker is greeted by a delightful blend of espresso, chocolate, and hints of red pepper. As the cigar progresses, leather notes become prominent, while the strength elevates from medium to nearly full-bodied. The final draws leave a lingering taste of leather with a touch of cocoa. Quality is evident throughout, from the even char line to the sturdy dark grey ash. Concluding with a 90-point rating, this robusto offers an impeccable and pleasurable experience, as highlighted in this review of Alec Bradley Sun Grown Robusto.
Romeo y Julieta House of Montague
The Romeo y Julieta House of Montague is an exquisitely designed premium cigar boasting a captivating parchment wrapper and intricate adornments. Beneath the wrapper lies a rich blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Brazilian filler tobaccos, encapsulated by an oily Brazilian Maduro wrapper. Its aroma offers a peppery blend of leather, cocoa, and cedar, while the taste ranges from earthy notes of wood and cedar to cocoa, leather, and a hint of dark plum. This medium-strength cigar offers a consistent, smooth flavor transition with an ending that’s delightfully silky. Despite minor imperfections in the tobacco’s char line, its construction and ash quality are commendable. Offering excellent value, its complex flavor profile makes it a desirable choice for any time of day. Based on its performance, it’s awarded a 90-point rating in this review of Romeo y Julieta House of Montague.
