Jaun Nunez
Last month at the Black Smoke Miami event I had the privilege of meeting Juan P ‘JP’ Nuñez, the owner of a small boutique cigar company known a Coyaba Cigars. We spent a lot of time over the 3 days I was at the event and one evening we just got to talking about his cigars and mission in life. You see, Coyaba Cigars is more than just a cigar company. Juan is on a mission, a mission determined to help find a cure for Autism. He has a personal connection to the Autistic community and he explained that a percentage of every cigar sold goes to help the help research into this disorder.
I was quite intrigued by this and explained to him that my son is a biological research student, working on his PhD at Vanderbilt University, studying just that disorder. It is amazing how the bond over cigars brought Juan and I together and after 3 days we have even one more bond to talk about.
Let’s talk a bit more about the Coyaba Cigars brand. According to their website:
The meaning of Coyaba in the Taino language means Paradise. To the Tainos, this signified their Heaven. A place of ease and rest where time was spent feasting and dancing. They were free of diseases and the threat of hurricanes. With the creation of Coyaba Cigars, we have accomplished our own paradise.
The company currently has 4 blends that are on the market. Each blend is defined by a color, Red, White, Green, and Black. Coyaba Cigars have actually been in business for 8 years. Their cigars are produced at ABAM Cigars S.R.L. in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This is the same factory that produces the Villiger 1888 and the new Villiger La Flor De Ynclan.
Speaking to Juan about his success and being able to maintain eight growing years in the cigar business he noted:
“Matias Maragoto, the ABAM Cigars S.R.L. administrator and master blender was instrumental in teaching me and helping with the blends. I would also like to thank Adalberto Riuz Calderon (the Godfather) for being my mentor and business guide. Without their guidance and support Coyaba would not be possible”
It should be noted that the White and Green Label were the first cigars introduced by Coyaba Cigars 8 years ago and are still being sold today!
Today, I will be introducing you to the Coyaba White Label which has a rather bold blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuador Connecticut natural.
- Binder – Dominican Republic, Nicaragua (Seco)
- Filler – Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano), Dominican Republic (Doble ligero), Nicaragua (Viso).
The Coyaba White Label is available in 4 vitolas and packaged in 25-count black lacquer boxes.
- Robusto – 5 x 50 (MSRP $7.99)
- Toro -6 x 52 (MSRP $8.50)
- Churchill – 7 x 48 (MSRP $8.50)
- Toro Gordo– 6 1/2 x 60 (MSRP $9.99)
Pre-Light Examination
The Coyaba White Label has a beautiful milk chocolate-brown wrapper that is light on veins with fairly tight seams and finished with a well applied triple cap. I actually like how this cigar looks and feels. It is solidly packed and has a velvet feel to it.
The band is interesting. I am not sure if I have seen a band with this design before. The center of the band has the Coyaba logo centered in a white oval with gold trim. Then there is two rectangular strips intersecting the oval and wrapping around the barrel of the cigar. The strips declare this is “Hand Crafted” and “Premium Cigars”
The pre-light aromas on the Coyaba White Label are quite enticing. There is cocoa, pepper, and raisin on the foot and sweet fermented tobacco along the barrel. This is a cigar you know has been aged right and you want to fire up to experience what is has to offer.
Next step was to get the cold draw experience, so I clipped the cap and gave it a few draws. The draw was perfect and the notes were even more enticing than the aromas including fruit and pepper with a touch of cocoa powder dryness. This was turning into quite the delectable cigar and I have not even fired it up.
As we like to say, if got’em smoke’em and that is exactly what I was about to do. I leaned back in Stogie Press lounge enjoying the quiet solitude and warm Autumn breeze blowing in as I fired up a cedar spill to gently warm the foot and take in the first few puffs of white pepper and fruit laden smoke.
Follow along as I break down the rest of the Coyaba White Label Hercules vitola.
Cigar Review Notes
Coyaba Cigars White Label
Coyaba Cigars White Label
Coyaba Cigars White Label
Coyaba Cigars White Label
Coyaba Cigars White Label
Coyaba Cigars White Label
Coyaba Cigars White Label
Coyaba Cigars White Label
- Initial light brings early white pepper with a touch of fruit
- Medium grey ash on a thick char line
- Pepper pulls back
- One inch in, a nut note enters
- Pleasant floral aroma develops
- Flavors start to open up an inch and half into the burn
- Fruit and spice and vanilla notes grace the palate
- Smooth draw and even burn
- Mild to medium so far through first third
- The nut lingers on the palate
- Smoke is creamy and thick – good smoke ring texture
- Flavors maintain into the second third
- Ash fell in the second third with a well centered burn cone
- Aroma shifts to a nut in the second third
- Citrus tang enters
- Spice builds
- Sweetness enters near end of second third
- For a big ring gauge cigar the burn is perfect and the ash was amazing!
- Syrupy aroma develops in the final third
- Flavors are consistent with the second third spice and light citrus but with a hint of cedar
- Medium Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes foot to nub
Overall, the Coyaba White Label was quite the impressive Connecticut cigar with enticing aromas and excellent flavor notes. There was no bitterness through this journey which says a lot for this fine Connecticut blend. Even more impressive was the pristine error free burn for the large ring gauge. This is certainly one I will enjoy again and maybe next time I will pair it with a Bombay Gin Martini to enhance that sweet floral.
Coyaba Cigars White Label