Joya de Nicaragua Red Toro

The fine cigars from the Joya de Nicaragua line are not only popular with our panel members; they've been a big hit since they first hit the market in 1964. In the 1970s the brand was hugely popular, widely considered to be the best in the world – and most fans of the line still do to this day. Known for their powerful and bold blends, the Joya Red takes it down a notch without sacrificing flavor or quality. This Nicaraguan puro takes us out to the uber-fertile regions of Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa for its feisty blend of long-fillers which are then stuffed into a Nicaraguan binder and a golden-hued Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. The result is a medium-bodied bouquet of roasted nuts and pepper that are accompanied with hints of leather, toast, and coffee. Our panel members were huge fans of this puro saying that it’s perfect for veteran and novice smokers alike. Cigar Aficianado also agreed with a 90 rating noting “The lush draw of this cigar delivers a strong black pepper character that settles down to show notes of hickory, brown sugar and earth.” Try it with your favorite Oktoberfest beer on a crisp fall afternoon.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.