Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is dark brown with some lighter shades surrounding the veins of which there are a few fairly visible. The seams are easily visible as they are slightly raised. The head is finished off with a well applied triple cap. The band is primarily black with some silver, white and blue. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of damp earth and leather while the foot brings an interesting combination of black licorice and earth. The pre-light draw brings a mix of earth and leather while a slight spiciness is present on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Joya Black by Joya de Nicaragua Nocturno has a rich and thick maduro shade wrapper. Major veins are well pressed and seams tight but visible. Bunch and roll feels quite firm, hoping it will not affect the draw. The head is finished off with a thick double cap. Nosing the wrapper gives cedar, barnyard and flowery perfume. Nosing the foot tells spicy cedar, sweet raisins and white pepper spice. Cold draw reveals aged cedar, dried persimmons and subtle white pepper spice.

First Third

Initial draws bring a mix of earth and black pepper. At a half inch in, the earth and pepper meld together rather than being two separate flavor notes. At three quarters of an inch in, some coffee joins the peppered earth. The retrohale is a mix of coffee and earth. As the third comes to a close, the profile has become very smooth as the coffee and earthiness mix well together and the pepper is a supporting note in the background. The strength in this third was right at medium.

First Third

First third exhibits a good range of flavor spectrum giving wood bitterness, subtly sweetened cream and layering black pepper spice. Retrohaling gives a nice black pepper pop and sharp cedar. The finish hits the entire palate with a layered black pepper and subtle wood bitterness. Strength and body is medium within the entire first third.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the smooth mix of coffee and earthiness continues. At a half inch in, some cream joins the coffee and earth mixture while the pepper is still present on the finish. At an inch in, the cream decreases a bit pushing the coffee and earth back up front. The pepper has pretty much left the profile at this point. The retrohale remains coffee and earthiness. As the third comes to a close, the cream disappears and the coffee and earthiness remain. The strength in this third remained right at medium.

Second Third

The second third shows inconsistency. At certain pockets, the cigar is quite good with the same wood bitterness, subtly sweetened cream, layered black pepper and addition of coffee beans. But at other points, the cigar becomes too bitter, gritty and ashy. The finish carries forth the ash and bitter aspects as well. Retrohaling is my favorite part, especially allowing the coffee beans to shine in addition to the same black pepper and sharp cedar. Strength nears medium-full, while body maintains medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the coffee and earthy notes continue on. At a quarter inch in, the profile gains a bit of meatiness or chewiness as the coffee and earth chug along. At an inch in, a slight bitterness joins in with the chewy smoke of the coffee and earth notes. This is the profile the cigar finishes with. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Final Third

Last third reverts to being more consistent like the first third. Flavors of coffee beans up front, wood bitterness, faintly sweet cream and layered black pepper. Retrohaling gives the same coffee beans, sharp cedar and black pepper. The finish is filled with gritty earth, ash, wood bitterness and balanced black pepper. Strength still moves towards medium-full, while body stays right at medium.

Burn

The burn was perfect as it stayed sharp the whole way. Ashes held on in slightly over one inch increments.

Burn

Burn overall was very good. Though never a razor sharp burn, I did not have to revisit my lighter. Ashes were sturdy, averaging 1.5 inch self tapped increments. The cigar burned slow and cool the entire time.

Draw

The draw was perfect with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

This was a consistently good cigar the whole way through with fantastic construction. Started out with pepper and earth and then transitioned into a consistent coffee and earth profile. This is a cigar that has a darker profile but not necessarily high in strength. It’s something that fits perfect as an after dinner cigar. Price doesn’t factor into our scoring, but it’s worth noting that this cigar is priced right as it’s sub 7 dollars. I could see myself smoking this fairly frequently and I think fans of this flavor profile would as well. If you haven’t tried it, it’s well worth your time to check out.

Draw

The hardness felt within the pre-light experience did not negatively affect the draw at all. Though a tad tight for my liking, I was able to taste all the flavors with no issues.

Overall

The Joya Black Nocturno was overall a tasty, relatively bolder offering from Joya de Nicaragua. I enjoyed the subtle sweetness which is expected from Mexican San Andres wrapper, but unfortunately at times was over-cast by gritty earth bitterness. This is still a good cigar and a fitting addition to the Joya lines, now practically giving the full spectrum of taste profile, strength and body delivery to every type of cigar enthusiast.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

7.33

Cost/Point

$0.89

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.00

Cost/Point

$0.93

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Joya Black by Joya de Nicaragua Nocturno