SERIES REVIEW: Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador 7th Reserva (Pre Release)

Today's Pete Johnson pre-release cigar review is, perhaps, the new release stick I have most looked forward to smoking. The Seleccion de Cazador 7th Reserva, or more commonly known as Brown Label Reserva, is one of my two current favorite sizes in cigars and Brown Label Reserva sticks have always been on the money for me. There is something about the Brown Label blend paired with the broadleaf wrapper that creates a flavor profile that I enjoy more than most everything else on the market.

Something to note: This cigar is also made at the My Father factory in Esteli, Nicaragua and not in Miami.

Specifics
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5 5/8
Ring Gauge: 46
Wrapper: CT Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $9.00 in full boxes
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light 

My Tatuaje 7th Reserva had an oily, dark brown wrapper with only a few noticeable veins. Compared to other broadleaf cigars, which tend to look more rustic, this cigar was pretty attractive. Pinching the stick from head to foot, I could tell that it was evenly packed and not tight at all. I have said it over and over, but the rollers Pepin has making these cigars down in Esteli are top notch. The pre-lit aroma was peppery with some deep earthy scents. The cold draw tasted noticeably sweet with subtle hints of nuts and coffee.

First Third   

I lit my Tatuaje Reserva #7 with a lotus triple flame and the cigar shot out of the gate, producing clouds of thick, flavorful smoke. On the front of my first few puffs, I picked up a strong, refined black pepper flavor that really woke me up after a long day of work. The finish is where things got interesting, however. There were flavors of black coffee on the immediate finish, but after a few seconds, it faded into something else. The best way for me to describe the flavor it is to compare it to a specialty ice cream we have here in Columbus (where we have many boutique parlors pushing the envelope on flavors.) The finish on this cigar reminded me of a flavor we have called Hot Chocolate. Basically, it's chocolate ice cream with cayenne pepper added. It sounds strange, but I think if you smoke this cigar, you will get where I'm coming from. The strength of the finish was long lasting and continued to be present until the next puff. Anther thing to note with this cigar (pictured above) is the bright white ash. The body was in the medium-full range.

Second Third  

Burning into the second third of my Tatuaje 7th Reserva, the flavors mellowed and blended more. The flavors were still very strong and tasty, but now the black pepper on the front was toned down a notch with the emergence of some warm leathery notes. The stick did not let up, continuing to produce clouds of thick smoke, both on the draw and while resting in the ash tray. I lost a lot of the coffee flavors on the finish, but they were barely missed because about 15 seconds after each puff, I was greeted with that delicious spicy chocolate taste. This flavor was really the star of the show. The burn during the second third was slightly wavy, but not ever to the point of needing a touch up from my torch. The body was a relaxing medium-full, reaching further into the full range.

Final Third and Final Thoughts 

The final third of my Tatuaje 7th Reserva was very similar to the second third and that was perfect for me. On the front of the flavor profile I got black pepper blending masterfully with leather, and on the finish, the spicy chocolate. Some of those chocolate notes started to creep into the front a little towards the nub, but by then I was burning my fingers and, sadly, I  had to put the stick down. The body finished firmly in the full range, but not enough to make me uncomfortable or dizzy.


My final thoughts on the Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador 7th Reserva? This is a beautiful cigar, both in taste and in performance. I get asked all the time what my favorite cigar is and, for awhile now, it's been an easy answer: the Tatuaje Noellas Reserva. After smoking a few of the number 7, it's not as easy a question for me to answer. The beginning of this stick is great, but once into the second third and the flavor blending is in high gear, this stick shines. Even with the fuller-bodied finish, I could smoke this cigar everyday and have no complaints. 

Would I buy it again? This is a no brainer. Unlike the Noellas, which are a limited release, this is a full-production cigar and I will try to keep stock of these whenever my budget allows. 

Would I buy a box? If my wife reads this (which I know she will because she fixes all my bad spelling), I want to let her know...hey honey...birthday...xmas...anniversary...hint hint. 100% box worthy

I try not to gush this much about a cigar, but once in awhile one comes along and I can't help myself. If you'd like to try this stick, my friend Dan (NHCDAN on twitter) at New Havana Cigars has them included in his IPCPR Tatuaje sampler pack which you can pick up here for $55. Try it and please leave me a comment about your experience. I'd love to read others take on this one.

Dan 

SERIES REVIEW: Tatuaje Havana VI Gordito (Pre Release)

Today's Pete Johnson pre-release cigar review comes from a stick that is an extension of his Havana VI line.  The Havana VI, better know as "red label", is often seen as a slightly lower line than the brown label in the Tatuaje catalog, mainly because of its lower price tag. However, to me, it houses some of my favorite sticks from Pete. Havana VI cigars are very affordable and still have the same high quality construction and tobacco well known to Johnson/Pepin sticks.

Some background information on Havana VI from New Havana Cigars: Havana VI was created in 2006 and boasts six vitolas (thus the VI in the name).  Referred to as the 'Red Label', the band duplicates the classic Cabinet band in red.  It is made in Esteli Nicaragua at the Tabacalera Cubana factory.  It is medium to full bodied and is truly a Nicaraguan Puro, consisting of Nicaraguan filler, binder and wrapper 

It is kind of funny that this line is called the Havana VI now, because with the Gordito release, there are now seven cigars. Really though, who cares what the name is? The real question is: how does it smoke?  Let's get started with the review.


Specifics
Vitola: Robusto extra?
Length: 5 1/2
Ring Gauge: 56
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $9.00 in full boxes
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light 

The Tatuaje red label Gordito is another BIG cigar. My stick was nicely packed and with a 56 ring gauge -- this vitola has some serious weight to it. The light brown wrapper on my sample of the Gordito had lots of big veins and a pretty prominate seam where the leaf wrapped around the binder. Overall, it was a pretty natural looking cigar. The aroma coming off the unlit stick was faint, but what I could detect was just some natural tobacco notes, mixed with a stronger peppery note at the open foot. The cold draw was a little loose for my preference and had a sweet, almost gingery taste.

First Third 

The first puff on my Gordito after evenly toasting the foot, was strong in flavor. The profile on the front of the draw was a mild black pepper and on the finish were flavors of bread and some other spice that I couldn't nail down. The black pepper was not mild in strength of flavor, just mild in the heat I sometimes associate with that taste. For such a large cigar this stick was very relaxing from the get go and not overpowering at all. Even with the massive amounts of smoke this cigar was producing, the body was in the medium range. One thing to note: if you are going to smoke this cigar inside, make sure you have a lot of ventilation. Like I wrote above, this cigar puts out a lot of smoke, even while resting. As you can see in the picture, the ash was compact, but what you can't see is how easily it falls. The next time I lifted this stick after the photo that ash fell right into the tray without any tapping.

Second Third  

The second third of my Tatuaje red label Gordito started out similar to the first third, except for the finish, which got a lot sweeter. The front still had that very tasty, tingly mild black pepper, and on the finish were still some of the bread flavors, but as I burned more and more into the second third, a caramel sweetness crept up and started taking over the finish. This was sweetness at its finest for me; the balance of pepper and caramel is one of my favorite combinations. Getting close to the end of my second third, I did have a few burn issues, but nothing that couldn't be corrected easily enough with my torch. The body in the second third might have been slightly stronger, but nothing enough to make my head spin or get the jitters.

Final Third and Final Thoughts  

"Here comes the black pepper" is what I have written down in my cigar journal for the start of the final third of my Tatuaje red label Gordito. As I recall, the black pepper is what dominated the final third. The main difference was the pepper was a little spicier this time than it was in the first two thirds. On the finish, the bread flavors had dissipated, but the sweet caramel was still prominent, and mouth-watering good. After the slight burn issues I had in the second third, the cigar preformed beautifully all the way to the nub. The body again ramped up slightly, so I would rate the end of this stick more in the medium to medium-full range.

My final thoughts on the Tatuaje Havana VI Gordito?  I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is the best Tatuaje red label to date. I know that is a big statement, but this is a big cigar and it tastes amazing. I loved the balance of the peppery front with the sweet caramel on the finish so much that I really had to pace myself from not rushing to take puff after puff. This stick is in the top 3 best of the new Tatuaje releases in my opinion, so don't look past it because of the size.

Would I buy it again? Another great cigar for tailgating because of how long it smokes. I would say it took around 2 1/2 hours to nub it. I will be getting more.

Would I buy a box? This is 100% box worthy.  
Dan

SERIES REVIEW: Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador 7th Natural (Pre Release)

Today's Pete Johnson pre-release cigar review is the first dive into his main bread-and-butter Seleccion de Cazador line, more commonly known as brown label (no reserva). Other than some of Pete's special releases, the brown label is what most Tatuaje cigar fans reach for first when browsing online or at their local B&M. I put myself into that category, as I prefer the brown label sticks, but they tend to be a little tough on the budget. One main difference between these brown label cigars and others in the line is these are being produced at the My Father factory in Esteli, Nicaragua and not in Miami. I was told that the Miami factory is already producing at 100% capacity, so any new projects would not be able to be made there.


Specifics
Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5 5/8
Ring Gauge: 46
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $9.00 in full boxes
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light  

I love the way the classic Tatuaje brown label line looks. The simple bands and the somewhat rustic wrappers make me think of the old-style sticks you read about in Havana cigar books. My brown label #7 looked exactly the part. The wrapper was a consistent medium brown color with lots of little veins. None of these veins really stood out over another, but they gave the cigar a very natural look. I pinched the cigar from head to foot and, as you would expect from a Johnson/Pepin stick, there were no soft spots. The pre-lit aroma was subtle and smelled of graham cracker, with some more sweet tobacco scents near the open foot.  The triple cap clipped easily and the cold draw had a strong taste of cedar.

First Third 

My Tatuaje brown label 7th opened up a little differently than I expected. The flavors I got from the first third of the cigar were a mild cedar and sweet honey on the front, with just a small kick of Nicaragua black pepper on the finish. The finish was very clean and didn't leave a film or any unpleasant feeling in my mouth. I was expecting more of the pepper that you normally get with brown label sticks, but it was only coming in very slightly. It was definitely there, but not in my face or exploding on my palate. The burn line on this cigar was one of the darkest I had seen in awhile. You can see in the picture how it almost looked like a woman's eyeliner surrounded the cigar right where the wrapper met the ash. Speaking of the ash, it held on for just over an inch before crashing into the ashtray by itself. Don't go for extreme ashes with this guy or you'll be dusting yourself off in no time. The body was in the medium-full range.

Second Third 

The second third started out pretty much the same way it had been smoking in the first third, except for the honey flavor. The sweet honey I had tasted before was now more of a undefined natural sweetness. If I had to label it, I would say it was more of a raw sweet tobacco flavor, but even that might be off the mark a little. If anyone reading has a better term, I'm all ears. The finish on the cigar was still a mild black pepper that, after resting on my pallet between puffs, turned into more of a cinnamon taste. The burn was still spot on and body rested more in the full range. Toward the end of the second third, I had another flavor change on the front end of the profile. The cedar notes backed off and were replaced by a distinct roasted pecan taste. This change up was very interesting and was a glimmer of what was to come.

Final Third and Final Thoughts

My Tatuaje brown label 7th's final third is where things got back to the classic. The flavors in the last third ramped up in strength and were now producing the classic Tatuaje brown label profile that a lot of us know and love. The front end was much richer, creamier, and darker (if you can use that for a flavor) and tasted like roasted nuts mixed with earthy notes. The finish was biting with delicious strong black pepper that coated my palate, lasting well over the time between normal draws. This was more like what I was expecting the stick to taste like the whole way through, but it seemed  it wanted to show up to the party fashionably late. The cigar never got hot or harsh, and the body was definitely in the full area.

My final thoughts on the Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador 7th (Pre Release)?  The cigar started out good, but different than what I normally think of brown label Tats, and then grew into the monster that I love.  If these sticks keep this somewhat milder start, I think a lot of people will be wanting more spice. I like the way the stick really turned it on in the final third and gave a grand finale. It let my palate not be overrun from the beginning and pick up more of the sweet, more subtle flavors.

Would I buy it again? For the size alone, I would grab a few more of this stick. Petite robusto and Corona Gorda sized cigars are my two favorite sizes. It's nice to have at least one of them now available in the brown label.

Would I buy a box? I wouldn't buy a box at this time because there are other sticks in the new releases from Pete that I have enjoyed more. But in the future, I could see a box purchase no problem.

Dan

SERIES REVIEW: Tatuaje Petite Reserva (Pre Release)

Today I'm reviewing the Pete Johnson pre-release Tatuaje Petite Reserva cigar. This is another extension of the "brown label reserva" line being produced in Esteli, Nicaragua. They come unbanded and in cabinets of 50 sticks. This is the smallest of the sticks Pete produces so I was interested to see what a broadleaf wrapper can do to the flavor. 

Due to the size of this cigar, this review is only in two parts instead of the traditional thirds. On to the review. 

Specifics

Vitola: Petite Corona
Length:4.5
Ring Gauge: 32
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $3.50
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light

My Tatuaje Petite Reserva was a pretty rustic looking, small cigar. The extremely oily wrapper had a mixture of very dark tones of brown, with some lighter shades closer to the foot. It had many small veins running all around the cigar, but none looked like they would cause a problem. It's not the prettiest girl at the ball, but it is one of the skinniest. I have not smoked a cigar with this small a ring gauge in who knows how long. I stopped smoking cigarettes a long time ago, but holding this little guy could bring flashbacks. The pre-lit aroma was a very dark, earthy smell that actually made me sneeze. I clipped the triple cap and the draw was excellent (can't be easy with this size a stick) and tasted of refined tobacco with some cedar notes.

First Half 

The first half of my Tatuaje Petite Reserva was pretty uneventful. The cigar burned beautifully and the draw was excellent but the flavors were very muted. What I could pick up was a slight smooth leather flavor, most likely from the broadleaf, and just a hint of cedar. The amount of smoke this stick produced was what you would expect from such a small size and the body was in the medium range. The ash on the cigar, although it looks flaky in the photo, held on for about an inch at a time before I knocked it into the ashtray.


Second Half and Final Thoughts

The second half was like the cigar turned on a switch. The muted flavors increased in strength and were now much more noticeable within the smoke. I was still primarily picking up a smooth leather flavor mixed with cedar, but now into the mix I got some dark chocolate tastes on the finish.  Again, these flavors are all things you taste/hear/read about with broadleaf wrappers, so I can guess it was where the profile was originating. In the last few draws on the stick, the cigar got a little hot and gave off maybe just a touch of that classic Tatuaje spice. The burn and draw were perfect the entire (short) smoking time, with the body finishing off more in the medium to medium-full range.

My final thoughts on the Tatuaje Petite Reserva? If you only have 30 minutes of smoke time and like broadleaf, this is a winner for you. If you've read my blog you will know that I am a HUGE fan of small cigars, but this one might just be too small. I understand what it's made for and it suits those needs perfectly. For me, I don't think I can really get into a relaxed happy cigar mode in this short a time. I'm sure a lot of people can, and to you, I would say that the second half of this cigars flavors were on point, so give it a shot.

Would I buy it again? I will spend a few extra bucks and go up a size to the other two new Petite sticks coming out from Pete next year.

Would I buy a box? Great stick, but to small for me. I don't think I'd buy a box.

Dan

SERIES REVIEW: Tatuaje Petite Havana Cazadores Reserva (Pre Release)

This Pete Johnson pre-release cigar review is the Tatuaje Havana Petite Cazadores Reserva -- an extension of the "Brown Label Reserva" line but are being produced in Esteli Nicaragua. They come with the traditional brown Tatuaje band and in cabinets of 50 sticks. 


Some general info on the Havana Cazadores blend from the New Havana Cigars website: The Havana Cazadore is the strongest of the original Seleccion de Cazador, with a full strength disposition just under the Cojonu blend. A huge favorite at New Havana Cigars, the wrapper color may vary - but is usually very dark.

Due to the size of this cigar, this review is only in two parts instead of the traditional thirds. 

Specifics

Vitola: Petite Corona
Length: 4
Ring Gauge: 40
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $4.50
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light

When picking up this stick, the very first thing I noticed was the closed foot. Pete Johnson seems to be a pretty big fan of closed foot cigars and has put them on a lot of his special release sticks (the Black line comes to mind.) Looking past the closed foot, I noticed that the wrapper color on this stick was a fairly even dark brown shade, with just a few specs of lighter brown mixed throughout. Rolling it on my palm I could tell this was a evenly packed cigar and, when pinched, I detected no hard or soft spots. There was a mixture of pepper and earthy tobacco in the pre-light aroma and, after clipping the triple cap, there wasn't much of a cold draw (closed foot), but what I could taste was a nice sweetness that the wrapper left on my lips.

First Half

The closed foot on my Tatuaje Petite Havana Cazadores reserva lit easily, with a free draw which produced an average amount of smoke. The first few puffs on the cigar were much different than the Verocu I smoked previously. Where the Verocu blasted you in the face with pepper, the Havana Cazadores had extremely smooth and mellow smoke, with the flavors coating my palate. The flavor notes I picked up were black coffee mixed with what I would describe as a stout beer on the front, and just a mild kick of black peppery spice on the finish. Seriously tasty. The ash on my Petite Havana Cazadores reserva was salt and pepper colored and tightly packed. The burn did start a little wavy, but after the closed foot wrapper leaf was all gone, it straighten itself without a touch up. The body was medium to medium full. Getting toward the end of the fist third, the stout beer flavor subsided and made way for some nutty tastes that I would describe as walnut.

Second Half and Final Thoughts  

The second half of my Tatuaje Petite Havana Cazadores Reserva kept right on trucking the way the first half left off. The cigar was burning perfectly and the draw was producing smooth and mellow smoke. The up front flavors were black coffee mixed with walnut notes, and on the finish, just a slight black pepper spice. The body now reached well into the full range and I could feel some nicotine in my system, but not enough to make me feel uncomfortable or break a sweat even in this 90­° Ohio weather. When I got to right around the band, I had a few puffs that had some bitter tobacco flavors that woke me out of my nirvana for a minute, but those did not last and the stick finished back to the way it had been going. 

My final thoughts on the Tatuaje Petite Havana Cazadores Reserva (Pre Release)? I can sense that a lot of time has gone into the Havana Cazadores blend and the smoothness really is showcased by this size. I was not expecting such a smooth and mellow cigar from a brown label release, but that is what I got. From start to finish, it was undeniably relaxing and a pleasure to smoke. If this is any indication to what Pete might have done in the pre-release CG sticks I have to smoke, I know I am in for a good next few days.


Would I buy it again? This is one of the best small cigars I have smoked to date. I will definitely be picking up more of these.

Would I buy a box? If there was a battle between the new Verocu and the Petite Havana Cazadores Reserva for box purchasing by me, I'd have to go with the Cazadores. Definitely box purchase worthy.

Dan 
      

 

SERIES REVIEW: Tatuaje Verocu #5 (Pre Release)

Today's Pete Johnson pre-release cigar review is the Tatuaje Verocu #5. To my knowledge (please correct me if I'm wrong) this is not a limited edition cigar, but a full line release that will be produced on a regular basis. They come un-banded and in cabinets of 50 sticks. 

Some general info on the Verocu line from the New Havana Cigars website: The Verocu blend was created as an extension to the Havana VI line and was originally released as a regional stick - one size for the West Coast and one size for the East Coast and has since sold out.

Pete Johnson's blend in this cigar is a ramped up version of the Havana VI line with enough added ligero to justify Pete referring to it as "a Havana VI on steroids".

Due to the size of this cigar, this review is only in two parts instead of the traditional thirds. 

Specifics

Vitola: Petite Corona
Length: 4
Ring Gauge: 40
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $4.25
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light  

My Tatuaje Verocu #5 was a great looking little cigar. The wrapper was extremely smooth and consisted mainly of a solid medium brown color. When rolling this cigar around in my palm, I could tell that it was evenly packed and when pinching the stick from head to foot, I felt no soft spots. The cigar was slightly firm, but nothing that would give the impression of a tight draw. The pre-lit aroma was very leathery with a mild cedar scent sneaking in. The cap clipped easily and the cold draw was very mild. The draw itself was perfect for my preference, with a notable mix of raisin and a corky, woody flavor.

First Half 

POW! Right after putting flame to this little guy, I was punched in the face on the first draw with spice. Those who have smoked any of the Verocu line before will know exactly what I am talking about. That powerful Nicaragua black pepper zing was there in full effect. The cold draw flavors might have been mild; this flavor was not. The burn and draw were perfect, producing lots of smoke and, as you can see in the photo above, the ash was a very solid, bright white. After about an inch of this stick, the black pepper mellowed out a bit and I started picking up on a lot of rich leather notes on the front with some sweetened cinnamon flavor on the finish. The cinnamon flavor sat on the back on my tongue and lasted well over a minute between puffs. The body settled in the medium range.

Second Half and Final Thoughts

The end of the first half and the start of the second half of my Tatuaje Verocu #5 was all about rich, creamy leather flavors. The cinnamon had dissipated and the leather notes sat firmly on both the front and finish of each puff. Sometimes, when I have had very leathery tasting cigars in the past, they tend to leave my palate dry, but that was not the case with this stick. Each puff seemed to make my mouth water slightly and never had me reaching for my water. Towards the nub, the black pepper started to creep back into the profile and created a nice balance for the last few puffs. The body in the second half gained a bit more power and I would say sat in the medium to full range.

My final thoughts on the Tatuaje Verocu #5 (Pre Release)?  This is a great extension of the Verocu line and a great cigar for a short smoke. The powerful black pepper at the start really got this cigar off and flying, and the leather from midway on balanced the stick nicely and made for a smooth and enjoyable smoke.

Would I buy it again? I am sure I will be buying more of these little guys when they are available. I love a short cigar that is full flavor and not 100% one-dimensional. The construction was top notch and is another cigar from Tatuaje that you can clip, light, and go, without having to worry about re-lights or burn corrections.

Would I buy a box? A box purchase could be in the cards.

Dan

REVIEW: Ambos Mundos Sumatra

I didn't have much time this week to smoke cigars, so I went digging into my cooler for something that I have smoked a bunch of -- after all, if I had to cut this stick short, I felt I could pretty much write the review from memory. Today's cigar is another stick from Pete Johnson (@tatuajecigars on twitter) and Don Pepin Garcia. The Ambos Mundos comes in two different wrappers (Nicaraguan Habano, Ecuadorian Sumatra) and both are designed to be long-filler budget sticks within the Pete Johnson lines of cigars. To achieve the price point, Pete used a lower-grade tobacco than he normally uses for his projects.

A Quote from the New Havana Cigars Website about the tobacco: Using a lesser grade tobacco of the same varieties used in other Tatuaje cigars, Ambos Mundos provides a great smoke at a great price point.  The lesser grade means that there may be color variations and such that didn't make the cut for other production sticks.  But these are hand rolled the same as their older siblings. 

Like I said before: I have smoked a fair share of these cigars, so it's safe to say I knew what to expect. This particular stick was given to me by Dan (@NHCDAN on twitter) in a promotional three pack that he had featured in a special months ago. Big thanks, as always, to Dan for the cigar. If anyone is looking to buy some Ambos Mundos, please visit his site New Havana Cigars and this link will take you to the Ambos Mundos page.

On to the review:

Specifics

Vitola: Robusto #2
Length: 5
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: Around $4.50 each in boxes of 25
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light 

My Ambos Mundos was a very rustic looking cigar. The wrapper had a few different tones of brown in color and was quite toothy. When I rolled this cigar in the palm of my hand, I could tell that it was evenly packed, but it also has a few bumps here and there sticking up out of the filling under the wrapper and binder. This stick wasn't going to win any beauty pageants, however, what I did really like about the appearance of this stick is the band. In my professional opinion, this is how a simple,well designed band should look. The look is nothing flashy, yet it looks complete and professional. The pre-lit aroma coming off of my Ambos Mundos was woodsy and earthy. I clipped the single-capped head and the cold draw tasted of sweet tobacco with some nice peppery spice on the finish.

First Third

The first third of my Ambos Mundos started exactly how I remembered this cigar. The flavors were mild to medium in strength and tasted evenly of black pepper and leather. The finish on this cigar is a little rougher than you would expect of a Pete Johnson cigar. It tickled my throat a little bit harshly, but never lasted more than a few seconds, barely taking away from any enjoyment. The body of the cigar was medium with a burn, as you can see in the photo, pretty much as straight as you can get. These cigars might be made with a lower grade tobacco, but the Pepin/Johnson construction quality was not lessened at all.

Second Third 

The second third of my Ambos Mundos again brought no surprises to me. This stick was consistent to all the other Ambos Mundos cigars I have smoked and remained consistent to the first third. The flavor profile was set at an evenly balanced black pepper and leather. The strength of the flavors did increase maybe just slightly, but were in no way a overpowering presence on my palate. The finish seemed to clean up a bit  at this point into the cigar and I no longer got any discomfort in my throat. The burn was still perfect and the body of the stick remained a medium.

Final Third and Final Thoughts 

There is not much to add to this review in the final third that hasn't already be written above.  The flavors of my Ambos Mundos stayed consistent with the first and second third with black pepper and leather. The body was medium all the way through and the cigar never needed any touch ups with my lighter.

My final thoughts on the Ambos Mundos Sumatra? Well, I did have time to smoke my entire Ambos Mundos tonight and I'm happy to say I enjoyed the hour or so I had with it. I know this goes against a lot of my other reviews where I state that I like really complex cigars, because I honestly do prefer them that way, but the Ambos Mundos is a good, you-get-what-you-get, no-frills-no-shocker stick. I think these cigars are great for any new cigar smoker and great for when you have some friends over and just want to smoke something that will be good and not distracting. I see myself smoking some more of these at the football tailgates coming up this fall.

Would I buy it again? I will buy more of these cigars in the future. I don't think I would buy them to sit by myself and have a smoke, but I would buy them for parties or sharing with friends.

Would I buy a box? I would buy a box of these to share at a big event like a wedding or something like that because the price is very affordable. But just for smaller events, or my consumption, I'll stick to 5 packs.

Dan

REVIEW: Illusione Epernay Le Matin (Box Press)

The Illusione Epernay Le Matin is the latest stick from Dion Giolito (Vudu9 on twitter), owner and founder of Illusione Cigars. The main feature (besides the size) that sets this Epernay apart from the rest of the line is this stick is box pressed. In fact to my knowledge, this is the only stick under the Illusione banner that has a box press. If you would like to know more background details about the Epernay line of cigars in general, I did a review of the Le Ferme size HERE with some history of the line.

These sticks are only available at New Havana Cigars at the moment, so if you would like to purchase some please visit this link. I was over at New Havana hanging out with Dan (NHCDAN on twitter) Friday night and he was nice enough to smoke one of these with me, and give me another for a review. Big thanks again to Dan and now on with the review.

Specifics
Vitola: Le Matin
Length: 6.75
Ring Gauge: 46
Wrapper: Cafe Rosado
Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo and Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
MSRP: Aprox. $11.25
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light

By the time I could get a free hour or so to smoke this Epernay Le Matin, it had sat in my coolidor for five days. I'm sure the five days helped it settle some, as these sticks are very fresh, but it also resulted in the stick losing almost all of its box pressed shape. To me this was actually a good thing, as I am not a huge fan of the box pressed sticks. I thought I had better mention that  in this review, because as you see in the pictures, the stick looks almost round and I didn't want any confusion. My Epernay Le Matin had a very oily, milk chocolate color wrapper with a few small veins. The pre-lit aroma coming off the cigar was a nice floral smell that was even stronger at the foot. When I took a deep inhale through my nose from the foot of the cigar it tingled so much I had to hold back from sneezing. Interesting, to say the least. The triple cap clipped easily and the cold draw was free with again that sweet floral taste.

First Third 

After a problem-free lighting, the smoke that this vitola was producing was extremely thick and rich. This cigar had the kind of smoke that, right after lighting, fills your mouth and coats your palate instantly. The initial flavors were somewhat muted by the thickness of the smoke, but what was there were notes of cream, mixed with honey and sweet coffee. After a few puff,s the smoke started to thin a little and the flavors became much more pronounced. The profile was the same, but now the sweetness of the coffee had my taste buds alive and wanting more. I have smoked a fair amount of cigars from the Epernay line and I would say that this one started off quite a bit different. I'm not sure if it's due to the size or these being somewhat young cigars, but I don't recall the Epernay having smoke this thick in the past. It was not a bad thing, just different. The body was medium to medium-full right from the start and the burn was razor sharp. Another aspect of this cigar worth mentioning here, is even with all of the smoke this stick was drawing and putting off while resting, the burn was very slow. It's like this stick said right to your face, "I am not to be rushed."

Second Third 

From the start of the second third of my Epernay Le Matin, things started to change to the more familiar. The bellowing thick smoke had died off a bit and the flavors really started to take that classic Epernay profile. I was still getting some of the honey experienced in the first third, but now the coffee flavor had really ramped up and the floral notes I smelled in the pre-lite had just slightly started to appear. The floral flavors were really prevalent after I cleaned my palate with the cold water and were an insight into what was to come. The body stayed the same as the first third, and again, I had no problems at all with the burn. Most people who smoke products from Illusione know that when they light one of these up, ninety nine times out of a hundred you are going to have no problems with the construction. This cigar was no different.

Final Third and Final Thoughts 

The final third of my Epernay Le Matin is where that wonderful floral flavor really took over. Saying that this cigar tastes floral is kind of vague but I'm not really sure what other word to use. It's not floral like over-the-top potpourri or something that you would find in little old ladies houses, but more of a sweet perfume taste. Maybe, now that I think back fifteen minutes to when I was smoking it, it's slightly black cherryish? Again that's not the best way to describe it so if someone can leave me a comment of a better way to word it I'd be all ears. I'm sure it's out there, it's just not coming to me. Back on track. The coffee flavors were still hinting but now way in the background that they became almost an after thought to me. One other big difference in the final third of my Epernay Le Matin was the body. This stick ramped right up into the full range. It was not over powering by any means, but I was happy that this strength was only at the end of the stick and not all the way through as I am more a medium to medium-full kind of guy.


My final thoughts on the Illusione Epernay Le Matin? If you like the other cigars in the Epernay line you're going to love this. And I do. This stick, other than the really thick smoke at the start, and the powerful body at the end fits right in line with the rest of the brand and doesn't disappoint. I would suggest if you want to truly smoke one with a hard box press shape to it, either keep them tightly packed in the cab, or smoke it as soon as you get it. I don't think the box press shape makes this cigar, but everyone has their own opinion. Like I said above, these sticks are only on sale at New Havana Cigars at the moment so if you want to pick some up please visit this link and tell Dan I sent ya.



Would I buy it again? There is no way to hide it, these sticks are expensive when it comes to the Epernay line. If you're anything like me, you'll want to try at least a handful of everything that Dion produces, so I will be picking up a few more. 

Would I buy a box? Even in smaller cabs of 25 (yay!) these cigars are out of my cigar budget right now in box quantities.

(side note: I'm sorry for the junky pictures in this review. My point and shoot was having a hell of a time picking up the gold lettering on this band with the sun casting glares all over the place. Hopefully I can get some better shots later.)

Dan

REVIEW: Tatuaje L’esprit de Verite (Pre Release)

Today's review is a pre-release stick of the Tatuaje L’esprit de Verite. The actual release date has not been announced, but I am hearing it is due to be in shops hopefully in early July. This stick has a lot of rumors going around about it, but mostly about how much it is going to cost. Pete Johnson (@tatuajecigars on twitter, owner of Tatuaje) has not been shy with telling people that this might be his most expensive product to be brought to the market. I've heard that the cost isn't going to be as high as once thought, but really we won't know until they arrive.

Here is some more information on this cigar from the New Havana Cigars web page:

L'Esprit de la Verite is the brainchild of Pete Johnson of Tatuaje and has received a lot of attention from many who had the opportunity to experience one at IPCPR this year.  This limited release is made entirely from tobacco from Pepin's Finca La Estrella (Star Farm) all from the same vintage, 2008. The cigars are currently rolled and resting in the drying room at the factory. 

This cigar was generously given to me by Dan (NHCDAN on twitter) and, when I asked him if there is anything I should know about it he responded with, "Just smoke it. I think you'll like it". Dan knows what sticks I like, so hearing that was good news.

On to the review.

Specifics
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Criollo
Binder: Nicaragua Habano Criollo
Filler: Nicaragua Habano Criollo
Price: $??
Smoking Location: My back deck
Beverage: water

Pre-Light  

The first thing about the L’esprit de Verite that stands out to me is the band. Unfortunately for me, this is a bad thing because I am not a fan of the design. I understand what Pete was going for with the date being the main focus of the band, and being one very distinguishable characteristic to use to not confuse these sticks from year to year, but for me it seems unfinished. I was actually surprised to hear that this was the final design and not just a mock up for the pre-release. With all of that said, I'm not smoking the band, so my judgment of the stick will not be swayed by this one detail. The wrapper of my L’esprit de Verite is very smooth and dry. Not dry because it was not stored properly, it just seemed to lack any oils like some sticks do. Squeezing the vitola from head to foot the cigar is very fully packed. I was concerned about this until I took the cold draw, which was just fine and free with a slight resistance. This stick has the perfect draw for my taste. Speaking of taste, the cold draw flavors were very earthy, mixed with hints of mild oak. The pre-lit aroma of the cigar was similar, leaning more towards the oak scent.

First Third

My L’esprit de Verite lit easily with my triple torch and produced lots of smoke from the get go. Even with being outside, the resting smoked filled the area of my deck where I was sitting. The initial flavors were spicy on the front, with some oak notes cooling it off, and a nice sweetness on the finish. The spice wasn't really that peppery flavor that I am accustomed with Tatuaje products, but more of a cinnamon spice. The oak flavors were nice, but what really got my palate interested was the sweetness on the finish. The finish didn't stick around all that long, but was a really great flavor while it was there, and it came back with every puff. The body of the cigar was hovering around the mild/medium range. About an inch into my cigar, I ran into a little problem...

CRACK! was the sound I heard after take a big puff. Turning the stick over, I saw that the wrapper had split right along one of the veins in the leaf. Luckily the split stopped half way down the stick and, due to the amount this stick is packed, I was able to burn right through it with a little loosening of the draw as the only setback. I must say that I have had very minimal construction issues with Tatuaje products in my time smoking cigars, but it does happen. And it happens to all companies. Cigars are a hand made product. Errors and mishaps are going to happen. Moving on to the second third.

Second Third

After burning past the crack in the wrapper my  L’esprit de Verite was right back on track. The flavors were consistent with the first third, with the spice up front, creamy oak flavors in the middle, and the sweetness on the finish. Again that sweetness is what really kept my interest and kept me from getting bored. I have tasted that flavor before, and I was trying to think of another cigar that has that same sweetness on the finish, but it wouldn't come to me. If I think of it I'll edit this post and add it in. The body of the cigar ramped up a little more into the medium range, but nowhere near something like the Tatuaje brown label products.

Final Third and Final Thoughts

There is not much else to report in the final third that hasn't been said in the first two thirds. The flavors were the same, and the strength consistent with the second third. The burn was perfect after the crack, and the smoke volume never slowed down from the first draw to the last. As you can see in the picture I smoked this stick to the nub, and I'm happy to say it never got hot or harsh, right down to the last puff.


Final thoughts on the Tatuaje L’esprit de Verite? Dan (NHCDAN on twitter) was right. I liked this stick. Other than the one construction flaw, and it not being the most diverse flavor profile, this is a solid, consistent, and good tasting smoke. In my opinion it's not a "wow best Tatuaje ever!" but it's not one to pass up. I think if the rumors are true, and the price is not as high as once thought, a lot of people will pick these up to try and a lot of people will be happy with the smoking experience. I know this won't be the last one I smoke.

Would I buy it again? I will buy more of these, and can't wait to see if the full release is the same as this pre- release stick.

Would I buy a box? These will be a great cigar to have around and pass out to friends, so a box purchase would suit that situation well. A lot will come down to the price for me.

Dan  

EVENT: Crooked Burn, Lounge 1492, New Havana Cigar Private Party

Last Friday (May 28th) was a big night for me and for my blog. It took a month of planning, and some ups and downs, but the night came, and the Crooked Burn, Lounge 1492, New Havana Cigars private cigar tasting party went off as a success. Dan from New Havana Cigars offered up two of his NHC Seleccion Limitadas to the first 40 guests, and they were greeted with high praise by almost everyone.  We had a great turnout of people coming and going throughout the night, and the party didn't stop until 1am. Big thanks goes out to Mario from Lounge 1492 for all his work with the guest list and with letting us use his space for the party, and to Dan from New Havana Cigars for offering up so many free top of the line sticks to those in attendance. If you were a guest, I hope you can make it out to future parties as we are already starting the planning stages. If you missed this party, or didn't get an invite and would like to. Please email me here and I'll add you to the event mailing list. Below are some pictures of the event taken by professional photographer Tom Welsh. Please visit his site by clicking on his name and think of him when you have an event in need of professional photography.

 Dan