Blind Review: Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur
The Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur is made in Nicaragua by Joya de Nicaragua. Joya de Nicaragua, S.A., established in 1968, is the oldest brand of cigars made in Nicaragua. The Número Uno L’Ambassadeur was previously unavailable for public consumption, rumored to only be blended and presented as a diplomatic gift to visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
Blend Specifics
- Cigar Reviewed: Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Size: 6 5/8 x 44
Blind Review: Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur
Appearance & Construction
The cigar is a traditional panatella size with a good weight. The body feels decently packed. The wrapper is silky smooth and caramel in color. The body and foot of the cigar have a pleasant sweet cedar aroma. The cigar is double capped with a pig tail on top.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The cold draw has some resistance but none the less is beautiful on the breath- sweet cedar, fresh leather, honey and some dankness. There is even a hint of something that reminds of the ocean or the beach.
First puff is tangy and spicy but on the lighter end of things. The aroma coming from the smoke is fruity. The retrohale shares some of the same initial flavor notes, with the addition of popcorn. As the first third progresses the flavor profile is dominated by pencil shavings, white pepper, and again, popcorn. For a smaller ring gauged cigar, I’m very impressed with the heat maintenance. The burn line stays cool allowing me the liberty to puff away. Anyway, the tighter draw has required I double puff on my draws. The ash build up however looks brittle.
Upon entering the second third, the cigar proves to be a slow burner. The flavors are also mellowing out. The body of the smoke has transitioned to a cream. Still lots of pencil shavings and spice on the retrohale. Good heat maintenance despite still having to employ a double puff on every draw. The ash still looks concerningly brittle. It does come crashing down at some point. Though the cigar up to this point has been pretty predictable with few transitions, there does seem to be a faint molasses nuance creeping in and out at times.
The final third becomes a little spicier, but also a little sweeter. Ash build-up could still be a little firmer, but the construction has been spot-on to say the least. No touch ups or heat maintenance issues. Pencil shavings are still the dominant flavor note, accompanied by fruit and floral notes on the backend as well as the retrohale. There’s also a confectionary note that shines through at times as well.
Conclusion
The Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur was a great slow burner of a cigar. Steady and true are two great words to describe this smoking experience. The cigar would have scored higher if the draw had less resistance. The Joya de Nicaragua Número Uno L’Ambassadeur is a cigar I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoyed the Southern Draw “Rose of Sharon” or any of the Connecticut Shade offerings from Perdomo. They are very similar in flavor profile.