Tatuaje: Gran Cojuno

Tatuaje Gran Cojonu:
Let me start this review by telling you that I am a happy cigar smoker.  My favorite B&M cigar shop now carries Tatuaje.  Admittedly, I am a Tatuaje fan-boy, but I'm not afraid to say when I get a don't like something from Pete Johnson's lines.

Up until a month ago, only one B&M in the Baltimore-metro area carried Tatuaje.  This B&M will go nameless but, it wasn't my style.  The clientele, too fancy for me; being 27, there was nary a person I could relate to when I sat down for a smoke.  I would make the trip to this shop just to grab a few of Pete Johnson's offerings, but it was a necessary evil.

All of that has changed.  My favorite cigar shop, Cross Street Tobacco, now carries Tatuaje cigars.  They are official dealers, carrying a multitude of vitolas in both the red and brown series.  Also, they've a couple other of Pete's lines.  So.....I am a happy smoker.  Cross Street has an amazing selection.  The owner, Sheldon, only carries quality, and he carries what he knows people want.  He runs a quality business, where almost everyone is a repeat customer.

Anyways....with a batch of Tatuaje cigars to choose from, I got ballsy, as the name suggests and grabbed a Gran Cojonu.

Rest of Review on next page

My Father - Cedros Deluxe Cervantes

Jaime Garcia - My Father Series - Cedros Deluxe Cervantes

The Cedros Deluxe Cervantes is a special edition of the My Father Series.  Click here for a Stogie Guys review of the regular series.  I like the honey-sweet smell cedar sleeves leave on a cigar, so I was excited to see this Corona Gorda priced at $7.50.  That is cheaper then the normal series and with such a sharp look I had to give it a whirl.  I had two intentions smoking this; one to compare it against the original My Father, but also to rate it as a stand alone.  Judging the Cedros Deluxe on its own merits.

Pre-smoke

This Corona Gorda is a beauty and feels hefty in the hand.  The cedar sleeve is branded with 'Cedros Deluxe' and the My Father emblem.  There is also a foot band that finishes out the style on this three piece suit.  Just looking at this smoke had me salivating.  Even though I've smoked many regular 'My Father' cigars, the look of this one was the complete package.

With the sleave off the wrapper was flawless and slightly bumpy.  I took a big whiff of the freshly unsleeved stogie and that sweet cedar aroma lingered and mixed with a strong tobacco smell.  It also smelled earthy and little hint of hay.  The wrapper leaf had slight variation in hue throughout giving it a very natural look.

The cigar is well-made, packed with tobacco, firm throughout and felt a bit dry to the squeeze.

Jaime Garcia - Reserva Especial

Jaime Garcia - Reserva Especial

The son of the great Pepin Garcia made his mark on the cigar world with the introduction of the My Father series.  A great full-bodied smoke, the cigar paid homage to the cigar genius that is his father.  That series also put smokers on notice; that notice saying that Jaime Garcia is ready and able to carry on the Garcia name.  I, like a lot of smokers out there, really enjoy Garcia's blends.  Whether I'm smoking a Tatuaje or a San Cristobal, I always remember Pepin Garcia's influence on the product.  So naturally, Jaime's endeavours have my attention.
When I saw the cigar on the shelf I was shocked that it was only $7.  A nice price for what I'm expecting to be a quality cigar.  I opt for the Belicoso, weighing in at 5.5" x 52 ring.  At first the price excites me, then I wonder if the Garcias are trying to snag a piece of the economy market.  Hmmmm.....I wonder.  The cigar is rolled beautifully.  The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper showing few veins, a little lighter than most CBs you see out there.  The binder and filler are made with Nicaraguan tobacco; no surprise.

Don Pepin Garcia - Blue Label

Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label - Produced by Don Pepin in Miami, the Blue Label is made of 100% Nicaraguan tobacco. Pepin is known for his masterful blends, but there are some critics of Pepin's own lines. It seems that he saves all his good mixes for Tatuaje. Haha, I'm kidding - but seriously, it seems that way. Of Pepin's brands, the Blue Label is known as the most popular. (other than the My Father) Lets see what the Blue Label is all about.

Prelight- The cigar looks great and feels solid. I didn't expect anything less than top-notch construction from a Pepin made stick. The wrapper is a medium-chocolate brown and has a smooth look. There is a light sheen of oil on the cigar, and the cigar feels stiff to the touch. The prelight draw is slightly resistant and tastes of cocoa.

Sparking it- The stick lights with ease and away we go. The slightly resistant draw produces an adequate amount of smoke, but it isn't pouring clouds. The draw and smoke it delivers feel very flat and empty in the mouth. The first few puffs have the signature Pepin pepper, and that slowly fades after the first half an inch or so. How the hell does Pepin do that in every stick he blends?

Smoking it- The cigar has a good taste. Mainly chocolate and wood tastes. The stick produces more medium flavored smoke then full flavors. I'm a little disappointed in the overall experience of smoking this stick. The cigar doesn't show much complexity, and I had to touch it up once or twice. Towards the last third of the stick, the flavors started to taste very bitter.
Another part of this smoke that I didn't care for was the look of the ash. Rather than burning to an attractive white ash, this stick produced a spotty dark ash, almost black in some areas.
I wouldn't go as far to say this cigar is bad. I may be a little hard on the Blue Label because I've come to expect so much from his blends. But I won't be buying another Blue Label any time soon.

Overall- C+