Past September at the InterTabac fair, in Dortmund, Joya de Nicaragua launched the Reserva of the Rosalones brand. It is a Nicaraguan puro, with an intensional medium leveled strength and is commercialized in four sizes.
▪ Country of Origin: Nicaragua
▪ Size: 50 x 152 mm (6″)
▪ Capa: Nicaragua
▪ Capote: Nicaragua
▪ Tripa: Nicaragua
▪ Price: 5€
Visually, the wrapper is a colorado tonality, a bit opaque, with brown reflexes. It is silky to the touch, with an almost no evident veins. The construction and the general craftsmanship are excellent: the filling and the weight of the product are signs for a slow burning smoke.
Joya de Nicaragua Rosalones Reserva Toro: the flavors from the cold draw are intriguing: albeit simple, the dried fruits and mineral notes, on a base of cacao and spices, are well amalgamated.
The Toro starts out tangy, with an acidic counterpart and a sharp spiciness, that disappears quickly. Aromatically, the spices express themselves very precisely, followed by notes of earth, on a cocoa and wood base. The strength is light (1/5).
The flavors change slightly in the second third: the tanginess fades, leaving room to a delicate sweetness. The aromas of this medium part are pivoted around a combination of spice and nut, of medium intensity, while cocoa and balsamic notes can be found in the retro-hale. The strength increases to a medium light level (2/5).
The final part, while leaving the flavors of the previous section unchanged, is an explosion of cocoa, on a spicy and balsamic base. The strength becomes medium (3/5), but remains always under control and never overpowers the aromas.
Overall, the Rosalones Reserva is balanced, the persistence and aromatic intensity are of good quality as well. The evolution, while present and perceptible, could have been better. Still an enjoyable and satisfying smoke.
Rating: 88