Founded in 1969, Joya de Nicaragua is the oldest, still functioning, cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. But just because they are the oldest, doesn’t mean they are stuck in the past. Sure, they have classic lines dating back decades like the mild Clasico and the bold Antaño 1970 but the company is very active with the slogan #rediscoverjoya. Under that umbrella, the company released the Joya Red, Joya Black and now this new Joya Silver, next to the Quatro Cinco Reserva especial and the limited editions Quatro Cinco and Cinco Decadas.



The Joya color series all have a modern look and blend with contemporary artwork and packaging. Maybe it’s the influence of Drew Estate, with whom the company has close ties. Some Drew Estate cigars, like the KFC series, are made at Joya de Nicaragua, Drew Estate distributes Joya de Nicaragua in the United States and a visit to the Joya factory is included in the Drew Estate Cigar Safari.



Name: Joya Silver
Country: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabrica de tabacos Joya de Nicaragua
Size: 5×50
Vitola: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Mexico San Andres
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: € 5,50 (Netherlands)
Cutter: Xikar X2
Lighter: soft flame
Smoke conditions: indoors with ventilator
Smoke time: two hours
Purchased at Cigaragua

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper looks good, with a nice color even though it’s not really oily. The ring, white with silver letters and a glossy metallic red Joya de Nicaragua logo looks classy, yet contemporary and clean. The box pressed Robusto feels well made. The aroma is complex, lots of depth in the smell that has horses, leather and soil.


The cold draw is good, with pepper on the lips and raisin on the palate. Once lit, the cigar gives cedar, leather, spices and a dash of citrus with a little salt. After a few puffs, the spices turn to gingerbread, cedar is still there and some sweetness shows up. Halfway the cigar has flavors of pepper, wood, leather, and soil. The final third has gingerbread again, with leather and mild pepper. At the end, some spiced sweetness and toast show up.



The smoke is very thick, very full and there’s a lot of it. The draw is good. The light-colored ash isn’t that firm. The burn is quite straight. This medium bodied, medium-full flavored has a smoke time of two hours.

Strength: Medium
Flavor: Medium-full

For the final score with a scientific diagram, a video and pictures, go to: https://ministryofcigars.com/joya-silver-robusto/
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