Crna Nok by Jas Sum Kral Cigar Review

Now that we reviewed the Zlatno Sonce, a truly feisty blonde introduction from Riste Risteski and Jas Sum Kral, it is time to  tone it down a bit with the company’s second release for 2017 – the Crna Nok. Now let’s just be clear here, if you walk in  a humidor and see the two new introductions from Jas Sum Kral  on the shelf,  depending on your palate, you may opt for the darker brother of the Zlatno Sonce, thinking it will  be the stronger of the two. I can tell  you, if you want strength that would be the wrong choice, but you can read the review of the Zlatno Sonce to to understand why. The  Crna Nok is more of a medium strength and flavorful cigar that you will find quite enjoyable and distinctively different from the Zlatno Sonce.

Today I would  like to walk you through the Jas Sum Kral Crna Nok. Like all Jas Sum Kral cigars,  the Crna Nok is manufactured at Noel Rojas’ New Order of the Ages Tobacalera NOA in Esteli, Nicaragua. This factory is growing to be one of the truly great boutique cigar manufacturers with names like Jas Sum Kral,  Que Vida, and Ohana in their portfolio, not to mention Noel’s own Guayacan brand.

As for the Crna Nok, Riste describes the blend, not so simply as:

• Capa (Wrapper): Broadleaf Choculada
• Banda (Binder): Mexican Candy  
• Filler
  • 99 Ligero
  • Piloto Cubano
  • Corojo 06
  • Something else but I forgot (yea that’s what Riste says)

The Crna Nok is available in 2 vitolas and packaged in 20-count and 5-count boxes:

• Robusto: 5 x 50
• Toro: 6 x 52

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Pre-light Examination

The Jas Sum Kral  Crna Nok is a dark chocolate-brown cigar that is finished with a closed foot and a well applied cap. You may notice that the cap has a wider than normal band of tobacco wrapped around the head before the cap. The pre-light aromas were enticing, with notes of sweet fermented leaf and a hint of cocoa.

The cigar is adorned with a standard Jas  Sum Kral  band, this time being gold and black. There is nothing denoting this as being the Crna Nok other than the box it comes in. As with all JSK  blends, the box clearly states this is “Boutique as Fuck”. I won’t argue that, as I agree that this young company is cranking out some amazing cigars. I have yet to find one that my palate did not agree.

Once opened up, the cold draw delivered a predominate white pepper tinge on my tongue. I can’t describe the pre-light draw as the foot was closed.

For this review, I sampled 2 Crna Nok Toros which I received from the company to review.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Cocoa aroma wafts right off the light – that’s a great way to start the journey
• Peppery salted butter notes are easily delivered through the full  body of smoke
• Fruit joins the mix early in the burn
• Tight, light grey, ash sits atop a thin char line
• Smoke is delicately smooth and easy on the palate
• Ash falls after an inch and half
• Flat well centered burn cone
• Sweet oak and butter enter
• Coffee and vanilla notes develop
• Aroma shifts to more of a spicy cocoa
• The burn is well-behaved
• Sweetness increases in second third
• Buttery cocoa enters near the band
• Spice and some dry fruit notes enter in the final third
• Medium Strength
• Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes

Overall,  the Jas Sum Kral  Crna Nok, was a deliciously complex yet well-balanced cigar that delivered smooth and flavorful notes through a creamy smoke and error free burn. I paired the second one with a dram of Zacapa 23 rum which brought out the fruit and sweetness in the cigar. The big Macedonian has stuck another hit with this blend.