Country: Nicaragua
Ring gauge: 52
Length: 6 1/2"
Shape: Toro Box-pressed
Wrapper: Maduro
Pre-Smoke:
In the Charlotte area, Tatuaje's are pretty hard to find, and pretty expensive when you do find them. I managed to pick this up for 12.25 USD, which is a steal compared to other Tatuaje's I've found in the area.
The wrapper is fairly light for a Maduro. It has a very nice soft, leathery feel and the box press does not appear to have done any damage to the body, although near the head things are a little rough. I cut it with a cat's eye, and the draw was just about perfect for me, but I prefer a tighter draw. We'll see if things back up as we get further into this. The head took the cut just fine and the cap remained intact after the cut, so the "rough near the head" issue seems to be a non issue.
There is one larger vein down the front, which I didn't notice while it was in the wrapper, otherwise I would have selected a different sample. There were no noticeable soft spots, although it seems a little more dense near the head than the foot.
There wasn't really much of a smell to it before lighting, which is a little disappointing. It's possible that my sinuses were overwhelmed from walking into the room and five guys are here smoking already. I picked this up and am enjoying and writing at my favorite tobacconist, Palmetto Breeze in Rock Hill, SC.
The Light
I cut this with a cat's eye which gives a pretty good draw for this cigar. I lit it with wooden matches, and it only took two to get it nice and hot. The initial flavors were cocoa and a little bit of pepper flavor. It's a really, really good flavor, although pretty mild - so far I'm not regretting smoking this 3 hours after a light breakfast.
It produces a really nice white smoke that's very thick. It'd be great for smoke rings that last - although I look like an idiot when I blow them, so will leave that exercise for another time. The smoke fills the sinuses well and has a really nice flavor to it.
The Build
After the very first draw, the ash fell off, and I thought it was due to my own carelessness. However, as I got about a half-inch in, I could see the ash was not holding together all that well (the soft foot should have warned me) and I lost the ash the first time within a half inch.
After the first third or so, the cocoa and pepper flavor is giving way to a nice tobacco and leather flavor. The flavors on this cigar, so far, are enough for me to forgive some of its other faults. There are also some hints of pecans or other tree nuts here as well.
In the final third, I had to relight once, and when it relit, there was a very savory flavor that I can't really put my finger on (uneducated palette). As it has heated up, the pepper is getting stronger now, and there's a very strong cedar flavor taking over the cocoa.
The Verdict
The cigar has a really good flavor and some interesting undertones. The construction is alright - it held together okay, but didn't hold an ash for long, so required one relight. It's a medium-strong body, and you should be fine to smoke one on an empty stomach. If you're budget-conscious, there are other really good cigars for half the price, though.
Ring gauge: 52
Length: 6 1/2"
Shape: Toro Box-pressed
Wrapper: Maduro
Pre-Smoke:In the Charlotte area, Tatuaje's are pretty hard to find, and pretty expensive when you do find them. I managed to pick this up for 12.25 USD, which is a steal compared to other Tatuaje's I've found in the area.
The wrapper is fairly light for a Maduro. It has a very nice soft, leathery feel and the box press does not appear to have done any damage to the body, although near the head things are a little rough. I cut it with a cat's eye, and the draw was just about perfect for me, but I prefer a tighter draw. We'll see if things back up as we get further into this. The head took the cut just fine and the cap remained intact after the cut, so the "rough near the head" issue seems to be a non issue.
There is one larger vein down the front, which I didn't notice while it was in the wrapper, otherwise I would have selected a different sample. There were no noticeable soft spots, although it seems a little more dense near the head than the foot.
There wasn't really much of a smell to it before lighting, which is a little disappointing. It's possible that my sinuses were overwhelmed from walking into the room and five guys are here smoking already. I picked this up and am enjoying and writing at my favorite tobacconist, Palmetto Breeze in Rock Hill, SC.
I cut this with a cat's eye which gives a pretty good draw for this cigar. I lit it with wooden matches, and it only took two to get it nice and hot. The initial flavors were cocoa and a little bit of pepper flavor. It's a really, really good flavor, although pretty mild - so far I'm not regretting smoking this 3 hours after a light breakfast.
It produces a really nice white smoke that's very thick. It'd be great for smoke rings that last - although I look like an idiot when I blow them, so will leave that exercise for another time. The smoke fills the sinuses well and has a really nice flavor to it.
The Build
After the very first draw, the ash fell off, and I thought it was due to my own carelessness. However, as I got about a half-inch in, I could see the ash was not holding together all that well (the soft foot should have warned me) and I lost the ash the first time within a half inch.
After the first third or so, the cocoa and pepper flavor is giving way to a nice tobacco and leather flavor. The flavors on this cigar, so far, are enough for me to forgive some of its other faults. There are also some hints of pecans or other tree nuts here as well.
In the final third, I had to relight once, and when it relit, there was a very savory flavor that I can't really put my finger on (uneducated palette). As it has heated up, the pepper is getting stronger now, and there's a very strong cedar flavor taking over the cocoa.
The Verdict
The cigar has a really good flavor and some interesting undertones. The construction is alright - it held together okay, but didn't hold an ash for long, so required one relight. It's a medium-strong body, and you should be fine to smoke one on an empty stomach. If you're budget-conscious, there are other really good cigars for half the price, though.
