Joya de Nicaragua (Greek Mike)

Brand: Joya de Nicaragua

Line: Celebracion

Vitola: Torpedo

Length x Ring Gauge: 6.0 x 52

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (puro, wrapper, binder and filler: Nicaragua)

Strength: Full bodied

Date: July 3, 2011

Notes:

Joya de Nicaragua, the jewel of Nicaragua. In my humble opinion, one of the greatest cigars to ever grace your palate, a fine product from this Central American country (almost makes me forget about the mess with the Contras).

This is one of my favorite cigars. It’s a cigar that I smoke most often, and that I use as a gauge for others. It is full bodied, spicy and complex. It starts off smooth and packs a punch in the end. You can enjoy it with beer, a beautiful red wine (cabernet sauvignon, or a malbec from a good year, like 2003 or 2007), or Jack Daniels Single Barrel (my drinks of choice). It is a versatile cigar that can complement whatever libation you like without masking its taste, or aroma.

Well constructed with a silky-wrapper, they age extraordinarily well. You almost feel guilty lighting one up, but once the flame is going, you sit back, relax and take in the bouquet, aroma and taste of this rich Nicaraguan puro.

The draw is smooth and consistent. The last third is not ashy or hot and the taste actually gets more complex as you smoke.

This is an all around great cigar, also if you consider the price, it is unsurpassed.

Overall: 9.8 out of 10 (among my top 3)

Montecristo White (Greek Mike)

Brand: Montecristo

Line: White

Vitola: Rothchilde

Length x Ring Gauge: 5.0 x 52

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade; binder: Nicaraguan; filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan)

Strength: Medium

Date: July 4, 2011

Notes:

Cigars and you: Partners in Freedom. Smoking cigars during a BBQ on July 4^th is quintessential Americana. When else can you enjoy amazing beer (i.e. Banana nut bread beer, thank you Ari), and a great smoke while waiting for mouth-watering, juicy burgers to cook on the grill. Truly it was a cornucopia of sensory stimulation (that’s what she said). The cigar aroma, the great beer, and the scent of juicy burgers…..every day should be Independence Day (or at least, we should have BBQs every day). On July 4^th, I celebrated my freedom by enjoying a Montecristo White in New Jersey (thank you Mayor Bloomberg).

For those of you who know me well, I am a fan of Nicaraguan tobacco. Its got a spicy kick that rivals (if not surpasses) its Cuban counterpart. This cigar really borrows its taste from the Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigar was well constructed giving it an even, smooth burn with an easy draw.

Not too complex, it complements the beer (my libation of choice for this cigar) nicely. There was a hint of spice to this overall, medium bodied cigar. I really enjoyed the relaxing smoke. I would smoke this at a ball game (not allowed in NYC), or at a BBQ.

Plus side: smooth draw, well constructed, medium bodied with a little spice.

The only shortfall: the last quarter got hot and ashy, which is sort of common with cigars from Altadis (see: non-cuban Romeo y Julietas, or the H. Upmans). They all start out smooth and end ashy.

Overall: 7 out of 10