Joya Red Half Corona

[Don Fernando]

CoronaWhen I met my wife she had never smoked a cigar, she’s a cigarette smoker, but open minded enough to try a cigar as she wanted to share my passion with me. She smoked a few cigars, but even a robusto is too big for her as a cigarette smoker so once I gave her this Joya Red half corona it hit the spot, not too big so she can finish it, not too strong that she can’t handle it and still very flavorful. So last year, as a gift, I gave her a box of her own and she bought another box for herself too.


Joya de Nicaragua is the oldest still operating cigar factory, they have a great history and it is a true Nicaraguan company, every employee has a Nicaraguan passport. They have always been big on the international markets, especially eastern Europe due to the Nicaraguan embargo that took place during the reign of the sandinistas and Joya had a very classic, traditional way of doing things and their reputation was also one of tradition. It came to much of a surprise that they partnered up with the least traditional cigar company in the world, Drew Estate, for distribution in the USA and that new style of doing things rubbed off on Joya a bit with the creation of the modern, hip look of the Joya Red, a medium bodied Nicaraguan puro that got released in 2014.

this 3 3/4×46 Half Corona wasn’t included in the original release but became the first and so far only line addition. I smoked several vitolas of the Joya Red but always liked this one best. And its a nice small cigar, perfect for when you don’t have a long time but if you happen to have plenty of time, they are afforable enough to smoke two. The cigar has a smooth mocha colored wrapper with a mild lacquer shine. The construction feels good and the triple cap has been applied perfectly. The aroma surprises me every time, I smell some licorice but also chocolate instead of a barnyard aroma. And then the ring, such a contrast with the traditional Joya de Nicaragua rings, this one is modern, quite large, red (do’h) with golden lining on the bottom and the top, golden lettering saying Joya de Nicaragua on top and Hencho a mano en esteli at the bottom and centre in big white letters and golden shading JOYA red. On the back, that doesn’t end straight but with an arrow there’s the Joya logo in gold. On the inside of the ring it says Rediscover Joya.

I punched the cigar and the cold draw is great. I taste some dry raisins, a little bit of hay and some pepper. After lighting the cigar with my Ronson varaflame I taste coffee with some leather. The flavors have just the right amount of bitterness. After a few puffs the coffee disappears and the flavors are now a mixture of different spices like nutmeg, cumin and cinnamon with a lemon aftertaste. Halfway I still taste all the spices but now with a little sweetness and a little cocoa bitterness. A strong pepper shows up in the aftertaste.

The smoke is thick and white, I get a nice amount of it too. The draw is close to perfect. The ash is light gray and you can see all the layers while the burn is straight as can be. The cigar is medium bodied yet full flavored with a nice evolution and a great strength flavor ratio. The smoke time is 45 minutes.

Would I buy this cigar again? I love them, my wife loves them so there will always be a box in stock.

Score: 93

https://cigarguideorg.wordpress.com/...d-half-corona/