Let's cut straight to the chase - this sampler pack is Joya de Nicaragua's greatest hits album in cigar form. For $44.99, you get four assorted Nicaraguan puros ranging from 5" to 6.25" with ring gauges between 50-54. The lineup includes their signature Antaño CT, Gran Reserva, 1970, and Dark Corojo variants. Newbies be warned: these sticks pack Nicaraguan volcanic soil intensity that'll make your taste buds do flips.
The Antaño CT kicks things off with its trademark pepper-spray opening - think black pepper crusted on charred oak. Smoke output? Like a Chevy V8 at full throttle. The 1970 variant adds cedar shavings and walnut tannins that dry the palate faster than British humor.
Gran Reserva takes center stage here. Earthiness transitions to dark chocolate grit with occasional coffee bean acidity. Smoke texture thickens noticeably - we're talking whole milk versus skim. Watch for heat buildup in larger ring gauges.
The Dark Corojo delivers its namesake punch - imagine cocoa powder mixed with cayenne pepper. Tar accumulation starts around the last inch, typical for full-bodied Nicaraguans. Retrohale reveals lingering leather tones that outlast most relationships.
These cigars scream Estelí terroir - volcanic soil minerals, aggressive sun-grown leaves, and fermentation pits that could double as saunas. Joya's blenders use 2-3 year aged tobaccos to achieve that signature Nicaraguan "punch first, ask questions later" profile.
