Tatuaje T110

Got the chance for another review tonight, and decided that it is finally time for the 'Thermonuclear 110." In case you aren't the huge Tat fan I and many others have recently become, this cigar is made with 100% ligero from Nicaragua, and supposed to be the strongest stick out there right now. The original release (which this is from) yielded only 200 boxes of 25, though another release has recently been announce with something like 160 new boxes. I have been quite excited to smoke this guy, and see if it really is the flavorful powerhouse I have heard. Going to my B&M tonight, as it is nasty out. Cut with my Palio and lit with matches.


Pre-light - The wrapper is a beautiful dark chocolate color, smooth, and quite oily. Very easy draw, spicy flavors. For some reason it was surprisingly tough to light.

First Third - Upon the first draw I got the spicy, Tatuaje flavor that describes so many of Pete Johnson's other smokes. The easy draw produces clouds of smoke, with spice and dark chocolate flavors dominating, and a toasty note in the background. The ash isn't terribly straight, but it is quite ragged and dark so far for a NC smoke. The spice settled down after a half inch, and the chocolate blends with some wood flavors that are really melting together beautiful. I can feel the strength now, though it isn't quite as strong as I had expected yet.

Second Third - The ash has now settled down and it is burning straighter. I am loving the flavor notes -the powerhouse isn't just a beast, it has some complexity too! The glass bottle coke I'm drinking goes really well with it, though I can't help wishing I had a nice strong cup of coffee to complement the chocolate and toastyness. As a huge fan of toasty flavors, the T110 is hitting the spot.

Third Third - Though the flavors are getting less refined at this point, I think I have fallen in love. The strength hit me a bit more and I can feel a small knot in my throat, but I am loving it. Ash held for about an inch and a half twice, and I nubbed it so far I think I have a blister on my finger.

Conclusion and Score - The T110 won my heart. I loved the chocolate, wood, and toasty notes, which produced beautiful complex flavors throughout the entire stick. The burn and draw were nothing short of great. Despite this cigar being a powerhouse (and it was), flavor was definitely not a problem. For a rating, I dub this beauty a 93, and would have to put it in the top 10, and probably top five for my favorite cigars of all time. Age should really make it even more enjoyable, though I doubt I will be able to keep my hands off the only other one I have left! I NEED to get some more of these.

Partagas 898V - '02

Tonight I decided to enjoy a smoke given me by a fellow BOTL, to mark the end of my Thanksgiving holiday: a Partagas 898 (Varnished) from '02. It looked quite majestic, though had a few wrapper peels, though this is not surprising since it is pushing 8 years old.

Smoking outside tonight with some cold water, another quick review as I am smoking sin-laptop.

This smoke was beautiful right from the cut. Burn was nice for the most part, and it went out once or twice, though due impart to the conversation I was having with a friend. Initially the draw had a nice tug to it, though was far from plugged as I thought it may be. Flavors consisted of spice and nuttiness in the background to a mild but complex coffee note. The coffee became more robust through the smoke, and the spice went in and out and the creamy beginning gave way to a more 'rustic' flavor as the stick progressed. I would definitely describe this as a classic Cuban cigar. Depite the bitterness at the end, I would give this stick an 88 rating, and it is something I will certainly be trying to get more of.

La Flor Dominicana Cheroot - 'The Icepick'

Haven't smoked a cigar in a while, so tonight I thought I should light up something rather special. Going with a LFD Cheroot tonight, nicknamed 'The Icepick' for it's strength - it is rumored that the Cheroot is made with 100% ligero! This cigar is available in only one shop in the whole US, originally only handed out by LG himself. I'm in the mood for a strong stick so we'll see how this little gem works out. Gonna be a quickie review because my laptop isn't coming outside with me.

Outside tonight, lighting up with matches and drinking some cold water. No need for a cut as it is already cut on both end.

The draw was quite open, providing tons of thick smoke. A blast of spice like I have never seen before greeted me upon lighting, with a background of wood. After I blew out the smoke, my mouth fealt like I had just eaten a hot pepper there was so much spice! Both flavor and strength proved to be very robust, but I did get a hint of plastic (??) out of the first half inch. The middle of the cigar mellowed a bit, with a hint of cream balancing the spice out, but the pepperiness was still dominant. When I smoke a strong stick I often notice a little knot in the back of my throat, and the 'Icepick' was no exception. No head buzz, but definitely quite powerful. The ash progressed to almost 2 inches before I dropped it, and about this time I noticed a bit of harsh tar flavor, which a prompt re-cut mended. The end brought back the wood flavor with the still strong pepper/spice notes. I also noticed an odd, sweet brandy-like flavor which I have never tasted in a cigar.

Overall, this was a really cool stick. I thank my BOTL from the Asylum for gifting me this cool little treat, it was certainly a new experience. As far as a rating, I'm not really sure I want to give this stick a number. Being that this is not a regular production stogie, and not even really in the category of traditional size or flavor, I would prefer to judge it purely as an interesting smoke. If you get a chance, do pick one up, you won't regret it. Just make sure to eat a nice meal before hand!