Let's cut to the chase about the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño CT Toro - this 6x50 parejo delivers Nicaraguan fire with Connecticut refinement. Priced at $141 for 20 sticks, it's like dressing a bull rider in a bespoke suit. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper gives first-timers a friendly handshake before revealing its nicotine-fed forearm grip.
The Connecticut wrapper plays good cop - think cashew butter on wheat toast with a sprinkling of white pepper. Smoke output stays polite, like a librarian blowing perfect smoke rings. Ash holds tighter than a Wall Street broker's briefcase.
Nicaraguan terroir crashes the party. Cedar planks smeared with molasses dominate, backed by a brass section of baking spices. Burn line stays laser-straight, but the nicotine buzz starts tapping your shoulder like an insistent bartender.
Maduro-esque darkness emerges - imagine chewing on a well-aged leather-bound book about coffee cultivation. Retrohale brings cayenne dusted chocolate nibs. Last inch turns feisty, with tar buildup signaling when to tap out.
Kept mine at 65% RH for 90 days - wrapper developed light sheen like freshly oiled baseball mitt. Dry-boxed 12 hours pre-light: combustion improved but didn't eliminate final third tar. Pair with Ethiopian pour-over or 90-proof rye to cut the body.
