The flavor of the Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 Reserva begins in the first third with a blast of bold pepper that is counteracted by sweetness.  I also notice some earth in the first third.  The second third offers more pepper and introduces cocoa and coffee into the equation.  The final third is more cocoa, plus nuts, dark chocolate, and sweetness.  Needless to say, this is a very flavorful cigar.  It’s also powerful at the same time.

So, was the Cojonu 2012 Reserva as ballsy as its name?  You bet it was.  It’s definitely a full-bodied cigar meant for experienced smokers, but it’s not all power.  You get plenty of flavor as well.  The cigar is limited and pricey at $13 per single.  At that price point I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a daily smoke, but definitely pick one up when you want a solid after dinner cigar on a special night.

The Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 Reserva receives a rating of 3.5 out of four stars.

Iconic Leaf Recluse Toro

The Recluse is the first ever release from the Iconic Leaf cigar company.  It was introduced at the 2012 IPCPR show and is produced by Tabacalera Leyendas Cubanas in the Dominican Republic under the direction of Don Jose Rafael.  All of the tobacco used in the Recluse undergoes eight fermentation cycles and each cigar is rolled using the traditional Cuban method of tubing.  This is my first review of a cigar from Iconic Leaf, so I am interested to see what the Recluse has to offer.

I’m giving a Recluse Toro a try for this review, which measures 6 1/4 x 50.  It’s just one of ten sizes in the line, which range from the 4 x 42 Petite Corona all the way up to the huge 8 x 58 Kanu #3.  The three Kanu formats in the line are said to be shapes that have never been produced anywhere in the world.  As for the cigar’s composition, it begins with a Dominican filler.  A Cameroon binder comes next, and a Brazilian Maduro wrapper tops things off.