Friday, December 8, 2017

Joya de Nicaragua Cuenca y Blanco (CyB) - Cigar Review

The Cuenca y Blanco by Joya de Nicaragua was introduced way-back in 2012 at the IPCPR trade-show. For a pair reasons, this was a note-worthy launching. First, it marked Jose Blanco's inaugural blend at and for Joya de Nicaragua after being named Sr. VP of the co. Second, it was a blend significantly different than any Joya prior; its leaves being quite the international affair.


In October of 2012, a story (Name Change: Cuenca y Blanco Becomes CyB) was run in Cigar Aficionado in which David Savona wrote re: that change of name as well as artwork. These moves "intended to stop potential trademark conflicts with other cigar brands bearing similar names."

The one I'm looking at now is the old-one, with name spelt-out on band.
You can still purchase each iteration at certain online retailers. I think.
Later to-day I'm'a gonsta PIG-OUT on pizza.
Funny, how warm these Crocs keep my tootsies.

A final bit of cigar geekery: this is NOT a Drew Estate offering, as I've seen some assume. Back in 2008 an exclusive agreement was inked, giving DE a U.S. distribution deal for the old Nicaraguan co. Perhaps that's where the confusion flits on-in.

Lettuce looksie...

NOTES:
Burns on a stubborn curve, but nothing so-much as nigh-catastrophic. Two-three re-touches which are vastly ignored. Ash builds well in a silver sheath. Pace seems a tick quick when held up-to moderate, slows in second-half. Nice smoke out-put of each end, both active and resting. Culminates in a bright citrus 'baccy room-note. Rolled-well with invisible seams sans lumps & bumps, hard/soft spots. The draw is an even medium+ tension'd thing which yields plenty smoke to ye olde smoke-hole. Feels physically fine-balanced for a Torpedo formatted stick.
  • Pepper (white)
  • Tang
  • Allspice
  • Cedar (fresh-cut)
  • Coffee (weak; milk & sugar)
  • Pine Nuts
  • Apple
  • Cardamom
  • Oats
  • Suede
  • Dirt
Flavors hit a medium-height and present sweetly-sour, bright, zesty. Body is a medium as well and if I told ya I feel like I'm drinking an Orange Julius (even though I taste Tang), would ya hold it against me? Please do not, for they are cold and even in the summer, I am prone to chills. Strength is a mild-medium, 'nuff. Nicely complex, but could use more nuance -- more richness-fullness. Excellent and kinda dainty sweet/sour balance. Smooth as Billy Dee Williams pitching malt liquor. Finish is interesting cedar-led sweet/sour with sweet extending-out further. Nice legs, ends clean. Very.

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: Dominican (Piloto Cubanao)
FILLER: Niaraguan (Ometepe and Esteli), Peruvian (Tarapoto)

STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: 6.25x54 Torpedo
ORIGIN: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua S.A.
BLENDER: Alejandro Martinez-Cuenca, Jose Blanco

FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59

Well, that's it for me. Stick a fork in my cigar-blogging day. From now till the Sabbath this evening, I'll be watching the MLB Network relay over and over again that there is no MLB News which to relay. I am strangely fascinated by their programming. This just in: Giancarlo Stanton's list of teams is the 1927 Damn Yankees, '75 Cincinnati Reds, and 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates. To those teams alone, he'd consider waiving his no-trade clause. Schmuck stays healthy off leveling-out 'roids/HGH doses for one-year and he thinks he's "all that,' as the kids say.

BREAKING NEWS: Otani is going to the Angels! Ain't Pujols their DH?

A final word on this CyB: it strikes me much like a better Villiger La Flor de Ynclan.

Sample courtesy of Fumare.
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"A Barbie Queue" Kaplowitz Radio: December 6, 2017