Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo Sampler includes:

1 - Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo Azarosa (4.5" x 52)
1 - Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo El Martillo (5.5" x 54)
1 - Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo Peligroso (5.0" x 44)
1 - Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo Pesadilla (4.7" x 60)
1 - Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo Poderoso (6.0" x 54)

When the Cuban cigar embargo was implemented, cigar lovers in the United States had to find substitutes. Some of the most popular options came from Nicaragua, and Joya de Nicaragua was one of the leading providers of Nicaraguan stogies.

Today, Joya still commands a lot of respect, and the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo Sampler showcases some of the best tobacco the company has to offer.

Joya de Nicaragua’s Antaño (“yesteryear”) blend was released over 15 years ago as a tribute to the beloved flavor of Nicaraguan puros, and in short order, it became the most popular embodiment of the style: robust, brightly spicy, and just a little sweet on the end.

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo Sampler features the “powered up” version of the classic Antaño. Taking advantage of a 3-year aged Corojo Oscuro wrapper, the Dark Corojo elevates the cedar-spice flavors of the original and adds in some bold peppercorns, without overwhelming the subtle earthiness that Nicaraguan leaf is celebrated for.

The finish is luscious oil and sweet cocoa, which prevents this stick’s remarkably complex flavor profile from becoming harsh on the tongue. For most people, this thick, dripping sweetness is more than enough to label the Dark Corojo as a “dessert cigar”. Truly, the best way to smoke these is with a cup of coffee, right after supper. (The Azarosa size, at only 4.5”, would actually be pretty good after breakfast, too.)

As you can probably tell from the name, the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo Sampler is built around blends that are decently complex. The unabashed intensity and robustness of the aged leaf are what makes it unique, but greenhorn smokers might find it to be a little much. For smokers who know how to appreciate a stick with true depth of character, however, the Dark Corojo may make a great addition to the regular rotation.

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo Sampler – What’s in the Box?

The Dark Corojo sampler comes with five sticks total. The Azarosa is the smallest of the bunch at 4.5”. Most smokers will only need about 30 minutes to take one down. On the other end of the spectrum is the Poderoso, a full 6” long, but with a cool, easy draw that makes it less intimidating than it sounds.

Buyers will also receive an El Martillo (5.5”), a Peligroso (5.0”) and a Pesadilla (4.7”). These different sizes and shapes will each smoke a little bit differently to suit a variety of smoke sessions. There’s a big advantage to being able to try each one and see how the dark flavor comes through. Once you’ve been through all five sticks, you can invest in a larger box of the shape of your choice.

Please enjoy the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo Sampler at your leisure.