CA Report: Top New Cigars (May 13, 2024)

Three exclusive premium cigars from Joya de Nicaragua have just arrived!

Can you believe that 2024 is almost half over already? Time flies, but at least that means summer is on the horizon. The best way to relax and slow things down a bit? A savory premium, of course. And wouldn’t you know it…I’ve got three new cigars locked and loaded and ready for your taste buds. Bonus: all of them require less than $4 a stick (at publishing time) to obtain.

Explore Joya de Nicaragua’s reimagining of Cunning, Merciless, and Carnage. Find out why they’re more than just ‘el cheapo’ sticks and make a strong case to be among the regulars in your humidor.

Are you smoking something new? Let us know on our social media channel links below!

Cunning by Joya de Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

To me, it’s a bonus when a cigar not only tastes great but has looks to match. Cunning’s band is in contention for my all-time favorite. Maybe it’s the cool fox. Or the simplicity of the red and white color scheme. And then there’s the flavor. To me, it’s medium-bodied thanks to a darker Connecticut leaf that they’re calling Oscuro. That normally means nearly jet black. In the case of Cunning, however, it just means it’s a bit darker with a small boost in sweetness. I found creamy notes of cedar, nuts, earth, and a finish reminiscent of mild-roast coffee. For its price, that’s pretty hard to beat.

Merciless by Joya de Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

The original Merciless may have fallen a bit short of living up to its name, but that’s not a problem for Joya’s re-blend. They started by replacing the previous Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos with an all-Nicaraguan core. And that one leaf…it made the difference. What was once a medium-bodied cigar now rises into the ranks of Joya’s truly powerful pedigree. Yet, Merciless remains quite approachable. Expect a refreshing mix of spicy and tangy flavors with an undercurrent of Nicaraguan earth and peppers. Pair it with an ice-cold brew and you’ll see what summer is all about.

Carnage by Joya de Nicaragua

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

No trio would be complete without a Maduro. Complementing Joya’s tried-and-true Nicaraguan core is a sweet Mexican San Andres wrapper, fermented to perfection. Expect a medley of flavor highlighted by earth, dark chocolate, almonds, coffee, and medium-bodied pepper and spices. This may not be the best dark-leafed cigar you’ll ever smoke, but then again, it’s not really meant to be. It’s simply a solid cigar with a higher pedigree of flavor than its price would suggest. And to me, that’s more than enough.