Joya De Nicaragua Antano 1970 Review

Antano 1970 Robusto Grande
Made by: Joya De Nicaragua
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 52

This cigar is known as a pretty full bodied go to when you’re looking for a cigar that won’t break the bank but will still deliver in terms of flavor, body, and strength. This review will be going over the grand robusto size, this is a vitola that I have not visited before so the only way to know what this has to offer is by getting this started. Lets see what it can do with a Joya De Nicaragua Antano 1970 Review.

Prelight

The cap is decently constructed, small to medium sized veins and there is light tooth to the wrapper. Barely Visible seams, the foot is giving off leather and mixed pepper. There does appear to be a bit of complexity to the blend, but the only way to truly tell is to get this lit up. Pretty firm and consistent pack, and there is a slight box press. Little bit of an issue with the cap, a bit fell off on the cut. Despite that, there is barely any loose tobacco which is highly impressive. Good resistance on the prelight draw, lots of red pepper and the draw is showing woodsy notes alongside the leather.

1/3

Just as the prelight draw was showing, there is tons of red pepper throughout the profile the finish includes just a bit of black pepper. Slightly bitter leather and mixed wood on the front, that leather carries through the center till the red pepper takes complete control. Medium to full body and medium strength at the moment. I expect both to reach full, the flavors are very pleasant but bold. Medium smoke thickness and medium smoke production. Did I mention red pepper? Because that is the main takeaway at the start of this cigar. Nice solid compact ash, and a pretty good burn line.

2/3

This isn’t a cigar that likes sitting so it does require attention. Smoke thickness has increased and is creating a nice mouth feel. This increase has also let cream creep into the center of the profile. Make no mistake, the red pepper has not gone anywhere it is still controlling the finish with the subtle black pepper lingering. The front is pretty distinct now, leather and oak with a spice that is separate from the red pepper. That little spice note is sharp and clean almost approaching a brief appearance of mint. Great distribution of flavors and it has improved as it has burned down. No changes to the body or strength surprisingly. Still medium to full body and medium strength. That red pepper tongue bite is still present, it will remind you if you forget.

3/3

One note, the cigar does seem to be getting soft a bit earlier than I expected. It became noticeable about 2 and a half inches out. The cigar is really beginning to push full body but it hasn’t hit it. The red pepper alone is pushing that characteristic, the strength has come up to a medium to full. Leather and light cream control the front and then strong red pepper and subtle black pepper come in at the center through the finish. Still a good mouth feel, but the red pepper bite is beginning to outdo the mouth feel. In typical fashion the pepper has come up at the end. Overall, it was a wonderfully blended cigar. Not a perfect burn, not perfect construction, but really good for its price point.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Conclusion: 87

These cigars are often praised for being budget friendly consistent flavor bombs. To tell you the truth I think that’s pretty valid, given their price point. Balance at a higher level of body and strength is hard to come by and this does a pretty good job. This is a cigar that would make a great traveler, something that you wouldn’t feel bad about if it got beaten up. It would certainly be satisfying, and probably even be smoke-able if it did have a couple issues in the midst of travel. The red pepper accompanied by the mouth feel make this a great offering. There are better cigars out there, but this does a great job in the genre it fits into.

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