Tatuaje Anarchy

Earlier 2010 (last year now!) Pete Johnson of Tatuaje blended a 'secret' cigar called the Anarchy for Smoke Inn in Florida.  Details about the sticks were leaked over time through Pete's Twitter and Facebook, and the sticks were fully released for sale in early December.  Some are still available, but it is a limited production cigar so they won't be around too long (though not as limited as the Halloween releases).  The shape is an interesting figurado hybrid- tapered at both ends but a larger gauge at the foot.  It also sports an interesting pigtail and a very dark Ecuadorian wrapper.  I have read a few reviews, ranging from good to excellent and am looking forward to seeing for myself!  Thanks to my awesome brothers at CS, I received a whole box for my birthday, and since that is tomorrow, I figure it's time for a review!

Pre-Light -  The wrapper is a beautifully dark chocolate color that is plenty oily.  It smells of a creamy tobacco, and the pre-light draw is medium with some sweet notes similar to the Drac when it was first released.

First Third - The first puffs crackled (odd, I know) with a full bouquet of leather, wood, oatmeal and some mildly spicy earthy notes.  The body seems to be lighter than I had expected but the flavors are certainly full.  The draw has a perfect tug, and the burn is very straight so far.  The initial blast of flavors cools down to a relaxing (but not boring) profile after an inch, dominated by leather, wood and some cream.

 Second Third - The individual flavor have morphed into a concoction tasting of woody leather with some molasses.  The D/A/B have all be great so far with no need for touch-ups.  Though still quite tasty, there are puffs in which the flavor is muted, something I have seen other reviewers note... not sure if this is just a fluke of something age may iron out.   

Third Third - Similar leathery wood flavors to the second third with a bit of nutmeg in the background in this third.  The D/A/B have been consistent throughout and I am really enjoying this cigar.  Definitely worthy of nubbing.

Conclusion and Score - I love the leather and wood flavor of the Anarchy and the other notes that popped up throughout.  The construction was top notch, and the size quite fun.  Looking forward to seeing how these will age as they seem like a great candidate.  I would rate it a 92 with a possibility for some more points if the small kinks in the middle can straighten out... great stick now though too, track some down!

Tatuaje Petit Cazadores Reserva

This new size from Tatuaje, smaller than a Petite Corona at 4x40, sports the Broadleaf wrapper that Pete Johnson has had so much success with.  It has a wrapped foot (which I am a huge fan of) and should be the perfect size for temperatures in the 20s!  Lets see how it smokes..

First Third
-Full bodied right off the bat, a huge blast of flavor
-Dark, complex flavors with wood, cedar, some cocoa, and a hit of leather
-Draw is a bit tight, but ash and burn are perfect
-There is a hint of 'cubanesqueness'


Second Third
-Similar flavors to the first third, with black coffee now, and more wood and leather
-Got a hint of bitterness... nicotine build up?  A fresh cut fixed that
-Ash held for over an inch!
-Phenomenal with a cup of coffee
-Smoking slowly

Third Third
-Very beefy flavors, great nutty wood and coffee along with the other flavors
-D/A/B still spot on
-Definitely full bodied
-No bitterness
-Great finish, enjoyable down to the nub

Score: 92
Can't wait to pick up some more of these (cab worthy!), loved the complex, full bodied, dark flavors in this little guy.  Great smoke in a small package, and with a cup of coffee- the breakfast of champions!  I bet these will be great with age.

Tatuaje Face - Monster Series LE #3

The third limited Halloween release from Tatuaje, "The Face" (after Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre), is a large stick at 6 3/8 by 56 sporting a Mexican wrapper.  The band is actually a piece of tobacco in a lighter shade to mimic the look of the monster who it is a tribute to.  Only 666 coffins were released, though 1300 ten count plain boxes were produced, making this the largest Monster release yet.  The stick itself is truely a beast, and judging from other sources, seems to be a great smoke.

Pre-Light - The large size is very imposing on this cigar, and the gnarly uncut foot and tobacco band make it an interesting sight.  The smell is fantastic, and the pre-light draw gives a little sweetness with a nice lighter draw.

First Third - The first puffs are heavy with woody earth, dark sweetness, some spice and a bit of raw tobacco in billows of thick smoke.  The spice is muted, more of a tingle on the tongue, while the darker earth and wood take the lead.  Though it is certainly a jaw breaker, I'm enjoying the size, and it is a bit stronger than I had expected. 

Second Third - Not much spice in this third, while the earthy, tobacco and sweet flavors really shine.  The strength is definitely picking up (though I though even the first third was medium-full) and the construction proves to be excellent- the ash lasted close to 2 inches. 

Third Third - Definitely picking up more sweetness in this third (even some cocoa), as well a more wood, some nut and a bit of pretzel.  Draw, ash and burn are still going strong, just like the body.  I love the strength and dense, full flavors in this third, with the Mexican wrapper's sweetness being a real treat.  Definitely a great ending to a great stick!

Conclusion and Score - Though I've just got a soft spot for these Halloween LEs, I loved this cigar.  The sweetness of the Mexican wrapper was huge for me, as I love the type of dark, cocoa sweetness that this cigar so wonderfully exemplified, not to mention an ass-kicking body that got progressively stronger throughout.  Along with the sweetness, there was a complex mix of wood, earth, nut, some spice and raw tobacco that didn't once get dull.  On top of that, the construction (D/A/B) were all terrific.  Definitely a cigar worthy of a 93 rating, that will hopefully only get better with age.  Find some if you can, and have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Tatuaje Boris - The 'Frank Out of Costume'

Last year Pete Johnson released a slightly different version of the famed Frank from Halloween of 2008, with a different wrapper, called the Boris (after the actor who played Frankenstein in the movie).  Since Halloween is coming up this year, I figured I'd finally get around to smoking this LE!

Pre-Light - No noticeable smells, but the wrapper is a beautiful coffee colored brown with minimal veins and a leathery touch.

First Third - Right away I can taste the slight minty note that I've heard so much about in this stick, combined with a mild-medium bodied earthy tobacco flavor.  The smoke is abnormally cool, similar to a dry wine.  The draw, ash, and burn are fantastic thus far, and the smoke itself is thick and white.  A slight nutty spice character adds to the complexity of what seems to be a great cigar, though with a body lighter than I had expected.

Second Third - The body has beefed up a bit though the complex mix of flavors continues to be a mix of tobacco, mint, nut and some earthyness.  I am in awe of the perfection achieved in construction by Pete on this stick, its is a joy not to have to baby the stick or worry about a tight draw. 

Third Third - Moving into the last third, a cool spice takes the lead with some creamy nut and earthy flavors right behind.  The texture of the smoke is continuing to intrigue me, and D/A/B are, big surprise, still great.  I'm not noticing any heat near the nub, as the cool flavors and smoke seem to be consistent throughout.  Definitely worth nubbing. 

 

Conclusion and Score - This cigar was really 'different' for me (as I would expect from an LE), and it fits into a niche that I could see myself yearning for on occasion in the future.  The smoke itself was cool, minty and dry, while the flavors included a complex mix of earth, mint, raw tobacco, nut, and spice.  Construction was superb, and I really did enjoy this cigar, though it could have used a bit more in the body department.  Even still, I would rate this stick a 91 and look forward to seeing it progress over time.

Tatuaje La Verite

***I am honored to present my second guest review, this time from Jon (Kidrock on the forums)

I often don’t do cigar reviews because I’m not an expert. In April 2009 Pete Johnson posted a photo of a cigar with a 2008 band on it saying it would be a limited released cigar that was a tribute to his passion for vintage wines. I rarely believe in hype or marketing, and was very skeptical when the price of the La Verite (5X50) would be 16.00 dollars. This is a steep price to pay especially since I left the work force recently to peruse my graduate degree in Secondary Education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Mark Just, the owner of Tower Cigars & Pipes (www.towercigars.com) in Sacramento, California was extremely gracious in giving me the chance to access a box of 25, and sent a fiver of Angelenos along that I will be reviewing in the future.

Construction: The wrapper is a tad bit fragile and had a little cracking during the smoking process. However, I firmly believe that it was based the fact that the cigar was so fresh and a tad bit wet.

Ash: The ash held nice and tight the entire time I enjoyed this cigar. The La Verite was smoked in 65 minutes.

Flavor: The beginning of this stick hits you with the Pepin spice that Tatuaje cigars are known for. At the halfway point, I got a few notes of carmel and bread. This is a very distinctive note that I absolutely love. The last part of the cigar mellowed out; the spice was there and my palette found it quite favorable. I nubbed this cigar :)

My verdict: I would easily rate this cigar in the low 90’s and would buy another box if given the chance. Also, A HUGE THANK YOU to Mark at Tower Cigars & Pipes (www.towercigars.com) and to AJ as well for letting me contribute to his wonderful blog.

Until next time, may your ashes be long and your humidor full,

Jon “Kidrock” DiBartolomeo

Tatuaje West Side - Verocu No. 1

A few years ago Pete Johnson decided to release some smaller quantities of 'RE' Verocu cigars, the No. 1 (or 'West Side') available only on the west coast, and the No. 2 (or 'East Side') available only to the eastern US. I was lucky enough to get a hold of the West Side from a great BOTL, and was in the mood for a good Tat today- hopefully this will fit the bill!

Lighting up at the B&M today, cut with my Palio and lit with matches. Cold water to drink.

Pre-Light - There is a slightly stiff draw, and some mild sweetness on the pre-light draw. Not much otherwise.

First Third - My first puffs of the 'West Side' yielded rich, smooth flavors right off the bat. There is a definite sweetness (molasses?), with some wood, mild coffee, and possibly some leather flavors. The draw is perfect, with a nice darker gray ash forming already. I'm still not sure exactly what the sweetness is here, but it sure is interesting- reminds me of the HDM EL 07 I had recently.The beautiful ash I was working on decided to drop right as I was going to snap a pic, a true shame.Second Third - Flavors entering the second third continue to be the same as the first for the most part, mainly sweet with some rich wood/coffee/leather faintly rounding it out. I'm surprised that there hasn't been any spice yet, but from what I have heard both this stick and the 'East Side' pick up in strength and spice towards the end. So far, it is medium bodied with flavor more towards full. Ending the second third darker flavors start to gain on the sweetness, mostly earthiness and strong coffee.
Third Third - Burn has needed a touch up or two, and the ash is very nice but isn't sticking around too long. The strength has definitely picked up from the first third, while spice is starting to appear and a bitter coffee/woody flavor is taking the reins from the molasses sweetness. The flavors are getting a bit muddled, but what can you ask for at the nub.

Conclusion and Score - I've got to admit that this stick was very different from most other Tataujes I have had. This is not to say it wasn't good, as I thoroughly enjoyed it until I burned my fingers. The 'West Side' wasn't necessarily a complex cigar, but did have some nice changes throughout- moving from medium bodied molasses sweetness at the start, to a stronger, dark earth flavor in the last third. I have only had one or two other cigars with sweetness like this, and this was by far the best. If you're looking for a change of pace and enjoy sweet flavors, try and find one of these. I'd gladly score this a 90, with the possibility of another point or two if aging could eliminate the occasional bitterness and average burn. Will be looking for more!

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.

Tatuaje Drac - Monster Series LE #2

It's Halloween, and time to smoke the Drac! This stick was produced as the second installment of Pete Johnson and Tatuaje's 'Monster Series,' a Nicaraguan Puro made in a limited quantity -1300 coffins of 13 cigars. The Drac is a huge Torpedo cigar with a beautiful, dark wrapper. Should be a treat!

It is a bit rainy out today so I'm set up in the garage -nothing was stopping me today! Cut is a Xikar and light is matches. Drink is some Anni Blend Starbucks coffee.

Pre-light - The foot still had a mild paint smell from the inside of the box, but the draw was nice and light. More on the airy side.

First Third - Draw is light but beautiful upon the first draw. Billows of thick, white smoke pour out. The normal Pepin 'pop' of spice is not detectable so far, it is more of a sweet flavor with a light touch of toasty nut in the background. A coffee flavor breaks through as well. creating quite a complex and pleasant flavor. The burn is less than razor sharp, but still reasonably straight. I had expected a very full body on this cigar, but it is turning out to be much closer to medium.

Second Third - The flavors are rich and complex in this stick. A toasty, coffee, possibly woody flavor has evolved, but continues to change with each puff. The burn continues to be decent, and the draw is wonderful. I enjoy a draw more on the lighter side, and this hits the spot. The ash held for over an inch before I dropped it, and has a nice darker gray color with layers throughout. Mr. Drac did not overly impress me in the first third, but has really exploded with flavor in the second third. The flavor is smooth and creamy -a very classy smoke. A leather touch appears, only complimenting the other flavors. Still haven't tasted much spice, but the strength has certainly picked up.
Third Third - I have to say that the creamy, leathery, coffee with the underlying sweetness is just blowing me away. This may be one of the best smokes I've had the chance to try, and am now very happy I procured a whole box. The burn and ash are staying the same, as the flavor constantly changes. It really is a winner!Conclusion and Score - This is probably one of the best cigars that I have ever had the pleasure of smoking. I was truly blown away by how rich the flavors were. The first third was good, but the second and third exploded with creamy, complex flavors that left me speachless. Burn and ash were nice, and the draw was perfect. I am really happy that I was able to grab these, and if you have a chance to get one I would highly recommend it. Before smoking it, this stick rested for only about a week in the humi, and a dark, full complex cigar like this will almost definitely improve with age. A few months or even year will only improve it. I dub this stick a hearty 94 rating, with room for another point or two after aging. Certainly a Happy Halloween for me!

Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles

Tonight I thought I would try the Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles I bought recently, a brand with which I have had no experience yet. I am excited to see what all the hype is about with these sticks, and to see if it lives up to the fantastic reviews. This stick is a smaller size (probably a petite corona) at 4 5/8x 42. I like this size for a short smoke, but have trouble finding things I like in this size, so this could be a very good find if it's decent... especially at only around $5 and change per.

Pre-light - The wrapper looks quite nice, and the band is a simple but elegant red with the brand name in script-y font and Fleur De Lis all around. Not the smoothest stick, but this is a quality that really has no effect on the actual smoking in my experience, and a rougher stick can have a nice rusticness to it which I can appreciate. Cut is a Xikar straight, light is a torch, and drink choice is water. Pre-light draw is great- a nice easy draw with a tiny bit of tug.

First Third - The initial draws give off huge amounts of smoke with a very rich, but not overpowering flavor. I can detect a very woody/nutty flavor with a lingering sweet toastyness. No harshness is present at all. The smoke is light enough not to be full-bodied, but on the heavy side of medium with deep, rich flavor. Burn is relatively even, and the ash seems tight and well packed. A vaguely smokey flavor gives this stick a slight roughness to its elegance. I am very much enjoying this stick. A more earthy flavor develops at the end of the first third into the second.

Second Third - I clumsily dropped the nicely forming ash, which is a disappointment as I am generally good at getting a nice, long ash. Nevertheless, this cigar is quickly making a good impression on me. The earthiness has come to the forefront of the flavors, while the others fade into the background, though the woodiness is still prominent. Though the draw has become a teenie bit tougher, it is still very good- producing an even burn and tons of smoke.

Third Third - The earthy-woody-nutty flavors have all joined forces now to create a rich, creaminess that I am very pleased with. The toasty aftertaste is a nice touch throughout. Burn and draw are still the same as the second third, and no hint of heat comes until the very nub. This is worth nubbing! I have not had any bitter or harsh flavors at all, a smooth smoke the whole way. At the end I taste a faint floral flavor along with the sweetness. My only complaint is having to give it a bit of fire, though this could be from the fact that I got up for a minute.

Conclusion and Score - This stick really blew out my expectations. I had thought it was going to be a decent stick, but it proved to be a very complex, creamy stogie with tons of smoke and flavor. Being that this is my first Tat, it left a fantastic impression and I will defiantly be back for more soon. I plan to pick up more of these and it seems that they may be an essential to my humidor going forward. I enjoyed the woody-nutty flavors immensely. Nothing about this cigar was anything but stellar and I would easily give this a 91, though age would have little effect I suspect. The CA rating a while back was a 93, and I can understand why. If you haven't had this yet, it should be high on the list of things to try. Can't wait to get some more!