The La Jugada Claro is the latest regular production line by MoyaRuiz Cigars. La Jugada was the brand that started it all for the company founded by Danny Moya and Nelson Ruiz. It was in 2013 when the company released its first blend, the San Andres Maduro La Jugada Prieto. This was followed up several months later by the La Jugada Habano line. With both a Maduro and Habano offering in the La Jugada line, the La Jugada Claro completes the trifecta by introducing an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade blend into the line. It is also the first Connecticut Shade cigar released by MoyaRuiz. With the La Jugada Claro heading to retailers, I recently had an opportunity to smoke the La Jugada Claro in the No. 1 (a near Churchill size offering). Overall I found this to be an excellent cigar and a unique one in that it bridges classic Connecticut Shade with contemporary Connecticut Shade.
The name La Jugada translates to “the move” or “the play”. It stems from Moya and Ruiz’s love of games such as dominoes and poker. It’s actually been some time (2013) since a regular production line blend has come to the La Jugada line (there was 2014’s limited edition La Jugada Nunchuck). In addition to the Prieto, Habano, and Claro offerings under La Jugada, MoyaRuiz also has one other regular production line called The Rake.
Without further ado, let’s break down the La Jugada Claro No. 1 and see what this cigar brings to the table.