Fausto by Tatuaje

[maninblack]

Maybe I'm a little behind, but I saw his new ad for these on FB. Very interested now to say the least. I've heard they are a T110 blend. Anyone know anything else?

[Ismith75]

"This is a cigar that has been long in the works, it’s based off of the ever-popular T110 blend (a limited release for a shop in Hawaii), the plan is to have it start in three sizes, although none of them are the original Petit Robusto that T110 was, instead Fausto should be out in:
F133 5 1/4 x 52
F152 6 x 50
F171 6 3/4 x 48
Pete also indicated that there were four or so other sizes being tested, we shall see. This is scheduled to hit shelves in July."

[Bill86]

If this cigar WAS the T110 I would buy a box no doubt. I loved the size and blend. These newer sizes don't interest me at all.

[Volusianator]

I start to worry about Pete becoming the new Rocky Patrel. Every month seems to bring a new blend.

[pinotguy]

I start to worry about Pete becoming the new Rocky Patrel. Every month seems to bring a new blend.

Pete's connection and relationship with Pepin (and Jaime) will prevent that from happening.

Yes - he does release a lot of LE sticks (so does Viaje) but a lot of these are a very small production run for one shop that has supported him over the years. Examples of this are the Cabaiguan WCD 120, El Triunfador SODO, Barclay-Rex 100th Anni., OR T110, Anarchy, and the most recent - Black Label Petit Lancero. Essentially, Pete is rewarding those B&M's (and their owners) for their loyalty with a special stick that is only available at those respective locations. This concept appeals to me and I admit to buying into the hype that some of these LE's create, so I "chase" them to a degree, though not always.

To my mind, this is the complete anti-thesis of what Rocky is trying to do. My perception of RP is that he is manuevering to become a major force through quantity of brands/blends and his new B&M/lounge campaign. It doesn't appear that Pete has this intention for Tatuaje (or his other brands).

[Bageland2000]

Anybody have a link to more information?

[colimo]

and the most recent - Black Label Petit Lancero"

WHERE is this one...have not heard of it

[pinotguy]

and the most recent - Black Label Petit Lancero"

WHERE is this one...have not heard of it

This is one of the single-shop LE's Pete is releasing this year. It was made for Tobacco Grove in MN and is the fore-runner to a regular production stick that will be made available later this year. The LE version will be slightly different (at least in appearance) from the regular one. These are sold out but you should be able to find some on the secondary market.

If you missed out on this particular LE, not to worry as Pete is gearing up to release the Federal Cigar 90th Anni. stick in the next couple of months. This follows the concept for the Barclay-Rex Anniversary smoke from late last year.

[CoreyD]

Pete also indicated that there were four or so other sizes being tested, we shall see. This is scheduled to hit shelves in July."
I'll test out his cigars.

[Starz26]

and the most recent - Black Label Petit Lancero"

WHERE is this one...have not heard of it

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40953

All sold out now though

[issues]

This is one of the single-shop LE's Pete is releasing this year. It was made for Tobacco Grove in MN and is the fore-runner to a regular production stick that will be made available later this year. The LE version will be slightly different (at least in appearance) from the regular one. These are sold out but you should be able to find some on the secondary market.

If you missed out on this particular LE, not to worry as Pete is gearing up to release the Federal Cigar 90th Anni. stick in the next couple of months. This follows the concept for the Barclay-Rex Anniversary smoke from late last year.

This is actually going to be a regular production cigar. The pre-release is only for Tobacco Grove. I believe they will be available in most places after IPCPR.

This is an early release for a retailer in a cold very high tax state slated for this month. I am planning on having this as a full production cigar releasing to the rest of the country at the trade show. The wrapper on the early release will cover the foot. The general release will be cut clean and the box might look slightly different. Still deciding on that part.

On Topic, the F171 sounds mighty tasty to me!!!

[klipsch]

This is THE cigar I'll buy a box of each size of...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs043.snc6/167337_1748150097116_1039717942_1991850_4510897_n. jpg

[Bill86]

I start to worry about Pete becoming the new Rocky Patrel. Every month seems to bring a new blend.

QFT

I don't care what the reason is ....it's getting ridiculous.

What pinot guy said.....I completely disagree.

Viaje

S&B
Oro
Platino
50-50 Red
50-50 Black
Exclusivo
Summerfest
Satori
Holiday Blend
TNT
Double Edge Sword

I believe give or take one or two that is it.

Tatuaje

Pork tenderloin
Brown label
Red label
white label
Drac
frank
boris
face
T110
Barclay
Pork Chop
outlaw
La verite
Black tubo
Red tubo
black jar
Reserva
East
west
anarchy
sodo
Cabaiguan
La Riqueza
RC 233
RC 184
Black Label PL

I'm sure there is at least 5-10 more I'm missing.

Excessive much? I think Petes attempting to compete with Gurkha and Rocky.

Another great point is Viaje does seasonals every year. So you can actually get the cigars again and the prices stay VERY reasonable. Cannot say the same for Tatuaje.

[klipsch]

Yeah...but hands down...some of Pete's LE's are some of the best NC's ever produced IMHO. I don't feel that way about any of the Viaje's

[Dukeuni]

QFT

Tatuaje

Pork tenderloin
Brown label
Red label
white label
Drac
frank
boris
face
T110
Barclay
Pork Chop
outlaw
La verite
Black tubo
Red tubo
black jar
Reserva
East
west
anarchy
sodo
Cabaiguan
La Riqueza
RC 233
RC 184
Black Label PL



I know the point you are making,
but when I see this list, all I can think
about is DANG, I wish I had boxes
of all of those.

Man, I forgot how many amazing sticks Pete has made.

[Bill86]

I've honestly only been impressed with about 4 Tatuajes. I also find their consistency
sucks. Their prices are pretty piss poor too. Viaje's are usually all around $10-$12 making them much more affordable. Tatuaje's are quite regularly $15-$16 (all the monster series, black tubos) or they are WAY too limited. I also find Tat limiteds to be gouged horrendously while Viaje's still stay close to what people have paid. Also a good point I've only had Tatuajes wrappers burst, no other cigar has done this.

[shilala]

Yeah...but hands down...some of Pete's LE's are some of the best NC's ever produced IMHO. I don't feel that way about any of the Viaje's
See, I don't think either are worth my time, and I've given them more than a fair shot.
Once again, smoke what ya like... :)

[maninblack]

And here we gooooooooooo.....

[klipsch]

See, I don't think either are worth my time, and I've given them more than a fair shot.
Once again, smoke what ya like... :)

I guess I'm not smoking what you are... :confused:

[whodeeni]

cg fausto won't be released this year...

[Volusianator]

Just sayin', as of the last 24 months, Pete's line is becoming quite large. Not that it's a bad thing, just hoping he doesn't go overboard as Mr. Patel did.

[wayner123]

Just sayin', as of the last 24 months, Pete's line is becoming quite large. Not that it's a bad thing, just hoping he doesn't go overboard as Mr. Patel did.

Did you enjoy Rocky Patel cigars before he went overboard?

[Volusianator]

Did you enjoy Rocky Patel cigars before he went overboard?

When I first started smoking I enjoyed the Vintage series, still will have a sungrown if one falls in my lap, but I won't buy them. So basically, no, not for many years have I enjoyed RP stuff.

[wayner123]

When I first started smoking I enjoyed the Vintage series, still will have a sungrown if one falls in my lap, but I won't buy them. So basically, no, not for many years have I enjoyed RP stuff.

So was that an evolution of your own tastes or his production quality?

[marge796]

I know the point you are making,
but when I see this list, all I can think
about is DANG, I wish I had boxes
of all of those.

Man, I forgot how many amazing sticks Pete has made.

Right on brother! As long as Pete out does himself with each release and has a loyal following who cares how many lines he has out there. :2


:ss


Chris.....

[Volusianator]

So was that an evolution of your own tastes or his production quality?

Evolution of taste for sure, my liking of his products wained well before he started his "new line of the week" theory.

Don't get me wrong, I know Pete, love the guy, hell, I have his cell number in my phone and we talk/text from time to time. I respect the hell out of the guy and love his products, it just worries me sometimes that things are getting stretched a bit thin.

[muhren]

NSFW - "Jizzed in my pants" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLnWf1sQkjY

:r

Some love. Some hate.

M

[Volusianator]

NSFW - "Jizzed in my pants" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLnWf1sQkjY

:r

Some love. Some hate.

M

LOL, love it here, got it on my iPod.

[bajaraider]

I have not heard of this one either, but I have not had a bad stick from Tat!
I am certainly curious.

[Silound]

For the record, anyone with the cash can get a personally blended special release for their B&M. As I recall, the minimum order is either 200 box25 or 250 box20 (5000 cigars either way).

We passed when it was brought up by our rep, mostly because it's a purely cash up front deal, and the owner wasn't quite sure he could sell them all.

[muhren]

For the record, anyone with the cash can get a personally blended special release for their B&M. As I recall, the minimum order is either 200 box25 or 250 box20 (5000 cigars either way).

We passed when it was brought up by our rep, mostly because it's a purely cash up front deal, and the owner wasn't quite sure he could sell them all.

This is Tatuaje or diff. company?

M

[Bill86]

For the record, anyone with the cash can get a personally blended special release for their B&M. As I recall, the minimum order is either 200 box25 or 250 box20 (5000 cigars either way).

We passed when it was brought up by our rep, mostly because it's a purely cash up front deal, and the owner wasn't quite sure he could sell them all.

That's still roughly $50,000 - $75,000. The whole thing is a crapshoot anyways all it's going to do is give you 150-200 online orders you'll have to fill and ship. Less than 50 of those boxes will be going locally. Unless you only sell them locally and then they'll be sitting on the shelf unless people buy them and ship them for their friends. Doesn't get you any more exposure then you had before.

[colimo]

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40953

All sold out now though

damn...how did i miss this...i want some!!

[wayner123]

That's still roughly $50,000 - $75,000. The whole thing is a crapshoot anyways all it's going to do is give you 150-200 online orders you'll have to fill and ship. Less than 50 of those boxes will be going locally. Unless you only sell them locally and then they'll be sitting on the shelf unless people buy them and ship them for their friends. Doesn't get you any more exposure then you had before.

I don't know, I still remember the name Puff and Stuff.

[Volusianator]

That's still roughly $50,000 - $75,000. The whole thing is a crapshoot anyways all it's going to do is give you 150-200 online orders you'll have to fill and ship. Less than 50 of those boxes will be going locally. Unless you only sell them locally and then they'll be sitting on the shelf unless people buy them and ship them for their friends. Doesn't get you any more exposure then you had before.
I work at Deadwood Tobacco in SD during the motorcycle rally. They have a cigar, "Sweet Jane" that's made for them by Drew Estate, they order 300 boxes a year and sell out during the rally. Of course this is a different situation simply because of the amount of people in that area for a 3 week period, but I'll tell ya, it is an amazing thing watching these boxes fly out the door.

[smokinpeace]

Really looking forward to trying these cigars. As to the single store release deal, I can't see it being a bad thing to get your name out nationally. A lot of the people who buy these releases, buy huge amounts of cigars a year and purchase many by mail. I buy from B&M's all over the country and some of them only came to my attention because of something like this. The glowing comments people have made about Smoke Inn's service and their handling of the Anarchy release has to have been a positive thing. I think it is a good thing for Pete and the store owner. It's a little more questionable if it is a good thing for the customer.

[neoflex]

So was that an evolution of your own tastes or his production quality?

I'll chime in on the RP thing since I used to really like what RP had to offer but I think his consistency is just non existent lately. Again just my opinion but I think he has too many lines going on at once and the consistency of his lines suffer from it. What I usually tell guys is if you find a Rocky stick you like load up on as many boxes as your budget allows as it may be very likely that it will be a different animal in a few months. There is no need to introduce so many lines in a short period of time to stay relevent. I think to stay on top in the industry you need to find a happy medium. Too few new lines/blends people will lose interest. Introduce too many in a short span and some people will get pissed. I think a manufacturer needs to find a middle ground to keep both sides happy.
At least when talking about Pete he always offers a high quality stick that most of the masses enjoy and being limited on most the consistency is a moot point because it's a short run and so far the staple lines have not seemed to be effected. Let's hope he or Pepin don't allow things to get to a RP point which I doubt as Pete seems to passionate about his craft to let the staple lines go to hell. It does get frustrating always being in the hunt but it is what it is and rather than let it get you annoyed too much you can just do what I have done with his stuff and stop going nuts trying to hunt down every new LE. I recently decided I would pick and choose what I would hunt down. For example the SODO sparked zero interest from me as it was said to be a shorter OR El Triundafor. Got plenty of those so no need to hunt down a shorter stick priced almost the same as the full size. At one point I got kind of annoyed at the constant release of LEs but life is too short to let the small stuff in life bug you. Just pick and choose what you want to get. Yes it would be nice to have them all but sometimes you just have to draw the line and that line will be different for everyone dependent on budget.

[pinotguy]

QFT

I don't care what the reason is ....it's getting ridiculous.

Tatuaje

Pork tenderloin - single store LE
Brown label - core line
Red label - core line
white label - defunct core line (soon to be re-introduced)
Drac - seasonal LE
frank - seasonal LE
boris - seasonal LE
face - seasonal LE
T110 - single store LE
Barclay - single store LE
Pork Chop - single store LE
outlaw - single store LE
La verite - annual LE concept cigar
Black tubo - line extension
Red tubo - line extension
black jar - original release LE, no longer made
Reserva - core line
East - regional LE, no longer made
west - regional LE, no longer made
anarchy - single store LE
sodo - single store LE
Cabaiguan - core line
La Riqueza - core line
RC 233 - line extension
RC 184 - line extension
Black Label PL - single store LE, then regular production

I'm sure there is at least 5-10 more I'm missing.

Excessive much? I think Petes attempting to compete with Gurkha and Rocky.

Another great point is Viaje does seasonals every year. So you can actually get the cigars again and the prices stay VERY reasonable. Cannot say the same for Tatuaje.

You're missing an important distinction with your list of Tats. Looking at the sticks you've mentioned, about half are LE's, either single-store, regional (Eastie and Westie), or a "seasonal", in the case of the Monster/Actor series. There are also several line extension sticks (the two Tubos, the RC's, and the Black Label PL) on your list as well. Do those really qualify as a new, seperate blend or brand?

I've honestly only been impressed with about 4 Tatuajes. I also find their consistency
sucks. Their prices are pretty piss poor too. Viaje's are usually all around $10-$12 making them much more affordable. Tatuaje's are quite regularly $15-$16 (all the monster series, black tubos) or they are WAY too limited. I also find Tat limiteds to be gouged horrendously while Viaje's still stay close to what people have paid. Also a good point I've only had Tatuajes wrappers burst, no other cigar has done this.

I agree that even in the fairly recent past, the consistency level and, at times, the construction of Tatuaje has not been up to snuff. However, I'd submit that within the last year, this seems to have been addressed and the box-to-box consistency over that period has made a marked improvement, especially within the core lines.

Pricing will always be a debatable issue. The Monsters have always been MSRP'd at $13. Depending on what state they are located in (taxes, etc) and their individual value system, some retailers do charge more per stick. Prior to The Face, this was probably more of a problem because there were a lot less made. Pete had more of The Face produced, so availability was better and you saw fewer gougers.

As far as price gouging for Tat LE's on the secondary market, I'm not sure what to tell you. This happens all the time (give the cult wine scene a look-see) and I can't see how that should be a reflection on the producer.

[pinotguy]

That's still roughly $50,000 - $75,000. The whole thing is a crapshoot anyways all it's going to do is give you 150-200 online orders you'll have to fill and ship. Less than 50 of those boxes will be going locally. Unless you only sell them locally and then they'll be sitting on the shelf unless people buy them and ship them for their friends. Doesn't get you any more exposure then you had before.

I'm not sure that the B&M's (or even their owners) are necessarily looking for publicity or exposure when they commission an LE, although I'd imagine it's a welcome by-product. Being associated with a "one and done" LE cigar has a lot of appeal and if that is something from Tatuaje, so much the better IMO. Using Tatuaje as the example, I'd bet that most shop owners like the odds of selling the entire run of any Tat LE.

[Silound]

This is Tatuaje or diff. company?

M

That would be Tatuaje, via the family that reps for them in our area.


Yes, it's anywhere between a $25,000-50,000 undertaking for that cigar, but if it were publicized on forums such as these, I doubt seriously if it would take more than 6 months to sell all 200 or 250 boxes :) The first 20-50 boxes would piece out 2-3 or 5 at a time and the other boxes would be a rush to get one before they sold out.

[smokinpeace]

I don't think any of the recent LE's lasted a week. If I was a retailer I would feel pretty safe about my investment. I really don't see a downside apart from the flood of phone calls and the effort to ship that much product quickly.

[Bill86]

You're missing an important distinction with your list of Tats. Looking at the sticks you've mentioned, about half are LE's, either single-store, regional (Eastie and Westie), or a "seasonal", in the case of the Monster/Actor series. There are also several line extension sticks (the two Tubos, the RC's, and the Black Label PL) on your list as well. Do those really qualify as a new, seperate blend or brand?



I agree that even in the fairly recent past, the consistency level and, at times, the construction of Tatuaje has not been up to snuff. However, I'd submit that within the last year, this seems to have been addressed and the box-to-box consistency over that period has made a marked improvement, especially within the core lines.

Pricing will always be a debatable issue. The Monsters have always been MSRP'd at $13. Depending on what state they are located in (taxes, etc) and their individual value system, some retailers do charge more per stick. Prior to The Face, this was probably more of a problem because there were a lot less made. Pete had more of The Face produced, so availability was better and you saw fewer gougers.

As far as price gouging for Tat LE's on the secondary market, I'm not sure what to tell you. This happens all the time (give the cult wine scene a look-see) and I can't see how that should be a reflection on the producer.

As far as what qualifies I dunno, I do know one thing everyone wants the Black CG jar or whatever and not the Tubos if they are the exact same blend why does no one want the Tubos and why pay $5-$7 more to get the jar ones? $7 more a stick for a different size is rough...IMO

I've only been smoking cigars seriously for the past year and I've had many of dud Tatuajes unless they are just supposed to be tasteless and muted.

I agree you kinda/probably/shouldn't judge a company based on the secondary market but you think a lot of that has to do with Petes limited quantities being so low that people gouge to high heaven. Ever seen a box of franks go for $500-$600? That's pretty lame of people to do that. Are those sticks $35 good? No they are not even close. Again Viaje seasonals are every season, this is good. Keeps gouging down because people can always get them next year. Tatuajes seasonals are ONE TIME RUNS which means people can mark them up as high as they want as you'll never get them again.

Faces were running everyone roughly $14.50-$16 a stick. A little high IMO but they were pretty available, although they were one of the weaker sticks in the Monster series so that probably helped out too.

I'll give you one thing, when Pete hits a home run it's a great stick. The problem is when you pitch 25-35 sticks out there it's probably not too hard to get 5 or so very good sticks.

I would like to see him do maybe 3-5 limiteds a year and make them all great sticks. Then maybe that might renew my faith in Tatuaje. Also keeping them around the $10 price range would be nice. Cut down on quantity go up in quality.

[sboyajian]

I've honestly only been impressed with about 4 Tatuajes. I also find their consistency
sucks. Their prices are pretty piss poor too. Viaje's are usually all around $10-$12 making them much more affordable. Tatuaje's are quite regularly $15-$16 (all the monster series, black tubos) or they are WAY too limited. I also find Tat limiteds to be gouged horrendously while Viaje's still stay close to what people have paid. Also a good point I've only had Tatuajes wrappers burst, no other cigar has done this.

Most of his store LE's (outlaw, anarchy, barclay rex, etc) are $10. The Pork Tenderloin was only $8.50. The Tubo's were 10-13 depending on location.

My feeling is and always will be when it comes to how many different brands or LE's he does. Many of the LE's are not full productions because of a limited amount of leaf during that crop. I'd rather see it come out and be enjoyed then never be imagined.

LE's are actually smart. He can get similar leaf in following years, and LE's give an idea of which ones people would like to see in regular production. Had the T110 flopped, you wouldn't be seeing the Fausto come out.

As for construction, I've never once had a construction issue on a tatuaje.

[pinotguy]

That would be Tatuaje, via the family that reps for them in our area.


Yes, it's anywhere between a $25,000-50,000 undertaking for that cigar, but if it were publicized on forums such as these, I doubt seriously if it would take more than 6 months to sell all 200 or 250 boxes :) The first 20-50 boxes would piece out 2-3 or 5 at a time and the other boxes would be a rush to get one before they sold out.

You may not have the definitive answer but I'd be interested to know how much involvement the shop/owner has in the blending of their respective LE stick, once it's been commissioned. If I shelled out that much coin, you better believe I would want to be calling a lot of the shots on the shape/vitola, marketing, packaging, and the tobaccos being used.

[Silound]

You may not have the definitive answer but I'd be interested to know how much involvement the shop/owner has in the blending of their respective LE stick, once it's been commissioned. If I shelled out that much coin, you better believe I would want to be calling a lot of the shots on the shape/vitola, marketing, packaging, and the tobaccos being used.

I was led to believe that the buyer had all the say in the world in what they got. We opted not to try that road simply because of the estimated price per stick after taxes kicked in.

[ltcal94]

So where does the Havana VI fit in all of this. I have noticed that many places are starting to show that they are out of stock.I really like the Nobles and Angeles in this line.

[Noomis]

I like the poster. "This one goes to eleven" ... love the Spinal Tap reference.

[jovenhut]

Smoking a pre-release Fausto that I got from Mark at Tower Cigars and this thing is a bigger T-110. Great Ligero flavor and power! This thing is kicking my arse but I love it!

[bcasey03]

Sounds tasty. -(P

[Average Joe]

I was led to believe that the buyer had all the say in the world in what they got. We opted not to try that road simply because of the estimated price per stick after taxes kicked in.

Why would the store even want the final say? They're the owner of the cigar store because they know how to sell cigars, not blend them.

I would think the store owner would pass over his sales numbers, including shelf life, and let the company make a stick that will sell at that location.

Not a shot at you or anything, just at that whole process. If the store owners do have the final say then no wonder why a company with great regular product lines have duds regularly show up on single store limited releases.

[weak_link]

Why would the store even want the final say? They're the owner of the cigar store because they know how to sell cigars, not blend them.

I would think the store owner would pass over his sales numbers, including shelf life, and let the company make a stick that will sell at that location.

Not a shot at you or anything, just at that whole process. If the store owners do have the final say then no wonder why a company with great regular product lines have duds regularly show up on single store limited releases.

I tend to agree with you here. Why pay for the expertise of a Pete Johnson and then muck up the waters? Wind him up and let him go. I worked for a B&M for a bit and no way would I want the owner having any say in blending my cigars. :r

As far as all the blends, why not? Sure he cranks 'em out but as someone else mentioned, if there is good leaf out there they might as well use it and make something unique. That's kinda Gurkha-esque marketing speak but I can see the benefit to everyone involved. I don't chase these things but usually enjoy them when they pass through my hands. Some of the frustration for folks is actually enjoying his product and not being able to get it, that's not lost on me. At that point I refer you back to the idea of them being around rather than not and enjoy what you can get your hands on. The regular lines are fantastic and well priced and if you find a size you enjoy there is some real value to be had there.