[MarkinAZ]

In general, I haven’t been a big fan of the Tatuaje brand. After a couple of failed attempts with two vitola’ in the Reserva class, the brand received a big frown from me. I expect cigars to come out singing whether it be ROTT or from the local B&M, and especially with the price and all the hype and spin placed on this brand. That’s just me though, always placing the bar high.

However, after a few samplings from the Havana VI class in recent months, my opinion has been swaying back towards a favorable status. Thus, the review on the Verocu #5…

Brand/Name: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu #5
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Perlas
Size: 4 x 40
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $4.65 @ Valencia News & Cigars, Valencia, CA


Drink: Water





Appearance/Construction: This is an attractive vitola featuring a dark brown wrapper that is slightly oily to the touch, some veins are noticed from foot to head, well constructed, firm with a soft spot felt at the ½ way mark. No bumps or markings were observed and this beauty is finished off with a Cuban triple-cap.

Flavor/Taste/Aroma: Rotating and passing the foot back and forth under my nose revealed a pre-light aroma of what appears to be hints of sweet cedar and spice, and the draw has some resistance with wood/earth taste. Once ignited, there is a copious amount of flavorable smoke that comes forth from start to finish. You will not be denied here. The first third starts out with exhibiting toasted wood and leather in front with hints of sweet spice in the background on a medium finish. It is a solid medium body at this point:





The second third continues with the toasted wood and leather theme, but now hints of caramel have entered the picture on a medium to full finish. It is still a solid medium body and pushing to become medium to full body. It is during the second third that I’m totally relaxing and enjoying a euphoric moment. It’s a complex earth, caramel, spice, cocoa blast in nano-seconds. Some vitamin ‘N’ is noticed at this point, but nothing to write home about:





The final third moves along with earthy flavors with hints of spice and some caramel in the background, and then winding down to an earthy flavor:





Smoking Characteristics: As mentioned above, the pre-light draw had some resistance that opened a smidge during the duration of my smoke, and this was a good thing. There was no harshness or bitterness noted when I would take a puff. Just so you know, I’m not in a race to finish a smoke, but take my time in between puffs. I know, sometimes this is hard to do, but one must resist when you’re in to something good. Thus, this smoke lasted me a total of 63 minutes from start to finish. The burn itself was slow to medium and did not go out on me until the nub stage. A small re-light was needed which enabled a few more minutes of enjoyment. During the first third, a slight uneven burn developed, but corrected itself prior to entering into the second third and an even burn and whitish ash was enjoyed to conclusion:





Conclusion/Overall Impression: The Verocu #5 is a very enjoyable vitola, and I believe well worth the money to have a 5er or two, or a box in your humidor for rotation purposes. A solid medium body in the beginning and pushing the medium to full body envelop at the middle to the end. A 63 minute smoke which gave me the opportunity to experience the wrapper and blend of this vitola, with plenty of flavorable smoke with spice through the nose. This, along with some great complex flavors is what I enjoy from a cigar. When funds become available, a box is destined for my coolerdor. Hope you enjoyed the review and thank you for taking the time to read.

Appearance/Construction: 12/15
Flavor/Taste/Aroma: 23/25
Smoking Characteristics: 23/25
Conclusion/Overall Impression: 32/35

Points: 90

Final note: I’m hoping to burn and review a Tatuaje Petite Cazadores Reserva this week for a comparison with the Verocu #5 and will place it in the forum soon…