Joya de Nicaragua Black Swan | Cigar Reviews by HB Cigars
- HB Cigars
- Oct 16, 2025
- 3 min read
Another Cigar Page exclusive drops and we're here to see if lightning strikes twice or four times? The Oliva Black Swan is the OG cream dream machine that set the bar for this collaboration series - basically the Thriller album of exclusive cigars. Now Cigar Page has teamed up with Nicaragua's oldest cigar factory for round four of their Black Swan project. Can JDN live up to the legacy, or is this the Godfather III of the series? Time to find out if this swan can swim or if it's going down like your mom after appletini.
🔥 THE VITALS 🔥
Cigar: Black Swan Toro
Master Blender: Joya de Nicaragua Factory Team - The folks who've been rolling cigars since 1968, back when people unironically wore bell bottoms
Size: Toro
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Criollo (dark and rustic)
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan long-fillers from Jalapa and Estelí
Price: Approximately $5-6 per stick
Aging: Fresh release - part of Cigar Page's ongoing Black Swan collaboration series
🚀 WE ARE LIT!
Draw: Clean and consistent
Burn: Well-behaved with minimal corrections needed
Smoke Output: Adequate clouds without being obnoxious
Ash: Holds decently before giving up
The construction is solid without any drama unlike CP's discord channel - no soft spots, no tunneling, just a straightforward smoking experience. The wrapper has that rustic appearance with a thin oil sheen that makes it look like it's been hitting the gym. This is the fourth installment in Cigar Page's Black Swan series, where they collaborate with different manufacturers using proprietary tobacco blends. Previous versions came from Oliva, Rocky Patel, and EP Carrillo, making this the latest in a lineage of exclusive releases that sell out faster than concert tickets for bands that peaked in the '90s.
🎢 FLAVOR JOURNEY
FIRST THIRD: THE CAFFEINATED OPENING
coffee, pepper spice, sweet leather
Coffee dominates the initial profile with pepper spice providing the wake-up call your palate didn't know it needed. Sweet leather notes round out the foundation, creating a balanced start that shows promise. The smoke texture is silky smooth, coating the palate like high-thread-count sheets at a hotel you can't actually afford.
SECOND THIRD: TRANSITIONAL PHASE
charred wood, baking spices, graham cracker
Charred wood takes center stage as the coffee recedes into the background. Baking spices emerge alongside graham cracker sweetness, creating this interesting dessert-meets-campfire vibe. The transitions are noticeable but not dramatic - this cigar doesn't scream for attention like an influencer at a farmers market.
FINAL THIRD: EARTH TONES
earth, charred oak, baking spices
Earth and charred oak define the closing act with baking spices maintaining their presence throughout. The finish is surprisingly short for a full-bodied smoke, disappearing faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. It ends clean without any harsh notes or heat buildup.
🏆 THE VERDICT
B TIER
Flavor: B
Construction: B+
Availability: A-
Price: A
Final Rating: B TIER ACROSS THE BOARD
The JDN Black Swan delivers a competent smoking experience that won't revolutionize your humidor but won't disappoint either. At around $5-6 per stick, the value proposition is strong for a Cigar Page exclusive collaboration. The flavor progression is logical and maintains interest through all three acts, even if that super short finish feels like the cigar checked out early. Construction is reliable and drama-free.
📊 BOTTOM LINE
Compared to the Oliva Black Swan - the undisputed champion of this collaboration series - the JDN version takes a different approach. Where the Oliva goes creamy and approachable, the JDN leans into earthier, spicier territory with that Cuban-seed Ecuadorian Criollo wrapper doing heavy lifting. It's a full-bodied smoke that delivers on balance and complexity without overwhelming the palate. The silky smoke texture is a highlight, creating that premium mouthfeel that makes you want to keep puffing. That short finish is a letdown though - right when you're settling into the flavors, they vanish like your childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut. Still, for the price point and Cigar Page exclusive status, this is a solid pickup that justifies buying a five-pack. It may not dethrone the Oliva as the cream dream machine, but it carves out its own identity in the Black Swan lineup. Sometimes second place is still worth celebrating, especially when it costs less than your daily coffee habit.
TLDR: A well-priced Cigar Page exclusive that delivers earth and spice with silky texture, even if the finish ghosted you faster than that Tinder match from 2019.