I sat down with Jose Blanco yesterday to try his new Cuenca y Blanco, the collaboration between Dr. Martinez Cuenca and Jose Blanco himself. This will be the first blend from Jose Blanco since he came on board with Joya de Nicaragua. I don’t know why I was so surprised when I first lit it up; I guess I was expecting that strong kick in the face I get from most of the Joya de Nicaragua brands. Maybe I was expecting the Nicaraguan Puro flavor I have grown accustom from Joya de Nicaragua as they only use Nicaraguan tobaccos in all their blends to my knowledge. But this my friend was different, very different.
I don’t say this to put down any Joya de Nicaragua, the folks that like that kind of powerhouse love it, it’s just too nicotine rich and powerful for me. Hey, they don’t promote Joya de Nicaragua as “strong as balls” for nothing.
As for the new Cuenca y Blanco, it is right up my alley. With a price tag of a fair and square $8 to $10 per cigar and in 4 sizes including a lost but not forgotten “lonsdale” size we never see anymore, and no 60 ring size, this cigar is made for flavor, complex interesting flavor. A blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican and Peru is surrounded by an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Not for release till August my sample was more than ready. It burned well, tasted great with a long finish. I really loved it.
Cuenca y Blanco will be distributed by Drew Estates. The sample I tried was unbanded, not how it will look when completed. 
Our annual cigar trade show (IPCPR) is about 40 days away and cigars like these get me very excited. If new brands are going to taste this great, cigar smokers are in for some real treats.
Grade: A
