Tell me about Tatuaje Cigars

[jbonnefsc]

So what is the deal? I've seen much about them in passing, but have never tried them. One of my B&M's carries them, both Red Labels and Brown Labels.

I've never had either, but I here talk of them often. What is the difference between the two? Are they any good?


Help a noob out!!!

[SmokinApe]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatuaje

http://www.tatuajecigars.com/smokes.html


I love tatuaje...

[awsmith4]

The red (Havana VI) and brown (Cabinet) tats are very different from one another. I like both, but the browns are some of my overall favorites (my favorite NCs for sure). One important note is the blend in almost every vitola in the brown label is different form the next (if this is wrong someone correct me). The reds are great too just not as strong or complex in my opinion but still damn fine smokes.

Here is a link to Moki's site that has a lot of good info on them

http://www.vitolas.net/thumbnails.php?album=37

[boonedoggle]

Love La Riqueza!:dr

[markem]

I like the browns best. My faves are the petites and noellas. The larger RG ones don't do it for me.

[elderboy02]

The Tat Brown Unicos are awesome. I don't care for the red label as much b/c I don't think they are as complex.

[troutbreath]

Delicious! I have both the Noellas and Unicas. Like awsmith4 says, they have different profiles, and I'm sure just about every other vitola in the line does, too. Really tasty.

[Spect]

I like the browns best. My faves are the petites and noellas. The larger RG ones don't do it for me.

:tpd:

I think the only issue with these(Tats) is the price point. I can buy Opus or top end cigars from a different island for less money most of the time. I love tats but tend to fill the humidor with other things just due to cost.

[NCRadioMan]

All you need to know is that they are blended and made by Don Pepin! :tu

[Totemic]

Go pick up a pair of reds and pair of browns (I recommend the J21s if they carry them) and taste them for yourself.

I found the Artistas (torpedos) for the red and J21's (robusto, roughly) for the browns to be my favorite. The latter, I would place, if not in the same category, at least very, VERY close to Ashton VSGs and Padron 40th's in terms of overall tasty goodness.

I found La Requiza to be the least impressive of the higher end Tatuaje blends (it was rather bitter to my taste buds, but I'm not sure if the pair I tried was just duds or not). I would probably pick the red label before the La Requiza. If I had to order them:

Brown label, Cabaiguan, Red label and then in a distant fourth La Requiza. I don't know what the black labels are like since I've never been lucky enough to find one. And I haven't bothered with the white label.

[dmoby]

All you need to know is that they are blended and made by Don Pepin! :tu

Blended by Pete, not Pepin; but rolled at his factories by him. The Tainos used to be on of the best to me, but the past year and a half they have changed and my favorite has been the cassi and noela's.

[awsmith4]

I forgot to add earlier that the Especiales is probably my favorite of the line, but I love them all.

[Cigarcop]

I smoked at J21 this weekend and really enjoyed it. I aslo smoked a Cabaiguan and it tossed me over the edge in a bad way!!!

[TomHagen]

Blended by Pete, not Pepin; but rolled at his factories by him. The Tainos used to be on of the best to me, but the past year and a half they have changed and my favorite has been the cassi and noela's.

I too noticed a change, not only in the Tainos, but most noticebly by them. They are made better, more consistent, more muttled wrapper, less sweet, but still an amazing smoke. I believe I have noticed this by Regios and other vitolas as well.

I don't know that each vitola is a different blend, I think just like CCs the wrapper, binder, filler ratios, size differences etc... effect the taste of each shape.

how do you find Opus cheaper than Tatuaje???
that's nuts.... It would help if the price point was cheaper though ;)


believe it or not I smoke more Tat browns than any other cigar... even Padrons, right now...

I need to up my CC stash drastically....
Tainos
Regios
cojonu 2003
especiales

[Stick]

Blended by Pete, not Pepin; but rolled at his factories by him.

According to Moki's site (http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-832):

"Pete knows what taste profile he wants in a particular cigar, imparts that information to Pepin, and Pepin uses his expertise to pick out the appropriate tobaccos to try to match that taste profile. Prototype cigars are created, Pete smokes them, and asks for a bit more of this flavor profile, a bit less of that, etc., and the process continues until the final blend is reached."

Which seems to coincide with the story of the Tat Black on the Tatuaje site (http://www.tatuajecigars.com/black.html):

"Together we spent quite some time working on the blend and looking at different leaves for wrapper. The marbled toothy wrapper was perfect for this cigar, rustic looking but with tons of aroma. After smoking the first sample..."

So while it appears he is quite involved in the direction/ flavor of a blend, the actual blending to achieve his vision is done by Pepin. Just smoked an Angeles, yum. :ss

[NCRadioMan]

According to Moki's site (http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-832):

"Pete knows what taste profile he wants in a particular cigar, imparts that information to Pepin, and Pepin uses his expertise to pick out the appropriate tobaccos to try to match that taste profile. Prototype cigars are created, Pete smokes them, and asks for a bit more of this flavor profile, a bit less of that, etc., and the process continues until the final blend is reached."

Which seems to coincide with the story of the Tat Black on the Tatuaje site (http://www.tatuajecigars.com/black.html):

"Together we spent quite some time working on the blend and looking at different leaves for wrapper. The marbled toothy wrapper was perfect for this cigar, rustic looking but with tons of aroma. After smoking the first sample..."

So while it appears he is quite involved in the direction/ flavor of a blend, the actual blending to achieve his vision is done by Pepin. Just smoked an Angeles, yum. :ss
Yep, yep! :tu

[dmoby]

According to Moki's site (http://www.vitolas.net/displayimage.php?pos=-832):

"Pete knows what taste profile he wants in a particular cigar, imparts that information to Pepin, and Pepin uses his expertise to pick out the appropriate tobaccos to try to match that taste profile. Prototype cigars are created, Pete smokes them, and asks for a bit more of this flavor profile, a bit less of that, etc., and the process continues until the final blend is reached."

Which seems to coincide with the story of the Tat Black on the Tatuaje site (http://www.tatuajecigars.com/black.html):

"Together we spent quite some time working on the blend and looking at different leaves for wrapper. The marbled toothy wrapper was perfect for this cigar, rustic looking but with tons of aroma. After smoking the first sample..."

So while it appears he is quite involved in the direction/ flavor of a blend, the actual blending to achieve his vision is done by Pepin. Just smoked an Angeles, yum. :ss

I have been enjoying Tat Browns since Jan 04 and have had several talks with Pete face to face. The Tatuaje Brown label was blended by Pete. After Pete blended the brown label, Pepin thought it was not good because he prefers a mild cigar like the JJ, but Pete created a cigar he wanted to smoke everyday.

If you have a manufacture give you different types of tobacco and role them with out your input then they blended it, but if you change types of tobacco and adjust the tier's of tobacco used to fit your pallet, then it is your blend.

If you don't believe me no problem, he is here on cigar asylum.

[SteveDMatt]

I even like the whites which certainly aren't as good as either the red or brown label. The construction quality of the white, while previously just mediocre, has seemed to decline a little in the past year. These are made with some short and medium fillers (not sure of the percentages) which leads to some tobacco in your mouth when smoking and short ashes. They are perfect for a morning golf round, but one after a breakfast of some sort.

The Cobaiguans are also quite spectacular. As cigar cop said, watch out for the strength on all of these. They creep up on you.

[NCRadioMan]

I wish somebody would set the record straight. I have read numerous interviews with Pete where he said when he started the company, he simply told Pepin what he wanted in a cigar and Pepin delivered on the second sample given to him. Inquiring minds want to know.

[Skywalker]

You can't go wrong with either the Red or Brown!!!

Just be careful if you are sensitive to nicotine because these can be a little intense. What can I say... I'm a wimp!:ss

[Starscream]

bought a brown yesterday.

[ucla695]

I'm a big fan of the Brown labels. They are definitely worth checking out. I suggest you go pick up several sticks from the lines that your local B&M carries and see for yourself. You are bound to find something you like. :chr

[Firridge1]

Have said it before and will say it again. Tat Brown=Best NC currently being produced. I know they can be somewhat expensive especially compared to what one can purchase CC's for, but IMO they more than hold their own against most CC's. I like to grab a Tat Noella or a J-21 just as much as grabbing a Boli PC or a PSD4. Again just my opinion and everyone has one.

[Clampdown]

J21, has become pretty much the only NC i really look forward to smoking.

[awsmith4]

I wish somebody would set the record straight. I have read numerous interviews with Pete where he said when he started the company, he simply told Pepin what he wanted in a cigar and Pepin delivered on the second sample given to him. Inquiring minds want to know.


I believe Pete joined her the other day, maybe we can get him to settle this. I believe his username is Tatuaje. In fact I'll PM him now

[Tatuaje]

Hey Guys, To set the record straight. What is said on Moki's site is pretty spot on.

The vision for the brand is mine and the blends were created for me to smoke with my input. Yes, Pepin had tons to do with it but Tatuaje, Cabaiguan, La Riqueza ,etc. are all blends exclusively done for me. Pepin, Jaime and I work very close looking for the right tobaccos for my cigars. And of course Pepin and Jaime make all of my cigars. I count on them to make them perfect every time and to keep my vision on track.......

Pepin and I don't always agree with blend choices, that's why he has his own lines.

The original six sizes had different blends and the J21 & SW in the Reserva line are different blends.

Hope this helps.....

I am out for about 10 days traveling.....Keep the peace brothers......:ss

[awsmith4]

Hey Guys, To set the record straight. What is said on Moki's site is pretty spot on.

The vision for the brand is mine and the blends were created for me to smoke with my input. Yes, Pepin had tons to do with it but Tatuaje, Cabaiguan, La Riqueza ,etc. are all blends exclusively done for me. Pepin, Jaime and I work very close looking for the right tobaccos for my cigars. And of course Pepin and Jaime make all of my cigars. I count on them to make them perfect every time and to keep my vision on track.......

Pepin and I don't always agree with blend choices, that's why he has his own lines.

The original six sizes had different blends and the J21 & SW in the Reserva line are different blends.

Hope this helps.....

I am out for about 10 days traveling.....Keep the peace brothers......:ss

Thanks for the response and clarity Pete. Happy travels :tu

[elderboy02]

Hey Guys, To set the record straight. What is said on Moki's site is pretty spot on.

The vision for the brand is mine and the blends were created for me to smoke with my input. Yes, Pepin had tons to do with it but Tatuaje, Cabaiguan, La Riqueza ,etc. are all blends exclusively done for me. Pepin, Jaime and I work very close looking for the right tobaccos for my cigars. And of course Pepin and Jaime make all of my cigars. I count on them to make them perfect every time and to keep my vision on track.......

Pepin and I don't always agree with blend choices, that's why he has his own lines.

The original six sizes had different blends and the J21 & SW in the Reserva line are different blends.

Hope this helps.....

I am out for about 10 days traveling.....Keep the peace brothers......:ss

Awesome. I am glad you are on here Pete. I was confused as well before this. :)

[Mr. Ed]

All you need to know is that they are blended and made by Don Pepin! :tu

:tpd:

Try to seek out the Cabaiguan. Not as hyped as the other blends under the Tatuaje and Pete Johnson name, but definetly my favorite:t.

[Sancho]

For me the J21 is the abosolute best NC cigar in current(regular) production. I dont think you can find a better cigar for the money, the regular tat browns are good but the reserva line is better :ss

[hdroadglide]

from top to bottom i dont' think you'll find a better group of cigars than the brown labels. that's my personal opinion. i also think the reserva noella was one of the best ever made (which of course is no longer being made), the black label is excellent (we all know the availability there), and now i am standing in line to wait for the "monster"!!!

[BroncoHorvath]

I smoked at J21 this weekend and really enjoyed it. I aslo smoked a Cabaiguan and it tossed me over the edge in a bad way!!!

Those Cabaiguan are for real men Bud :D

[MithShrike]

I smoked a P3 last night.

My favorites are the Especiales and the Havana Cazadores.

[Cigarcop]

Those Cabaiguan are for real men Bud :D


I strongly agree:ss

You witnessed my defeat!!!!!