Today’s review menu features a pair of flavorful cigars. Kicking off the festivities will be the bold Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador, and winding them down is the complex Gurkha Special Ops Maduro.

Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador Regios

The Seleccion de Cazador line, also referred to at times as the Brown Label, is one of Tatuaje’s first releases. The brand is known for making quality cigars with some kick, and this one promises to be no different. Pete Johnson has built quite the following for his brand and has plenty of loyal supporters, so he must be doing something right. Cazador is Spanish for hunter, which seems like an appropriate name for a strong stogie. I have a nice full dinner in my stomach to prepare for this “hunter,” so let’s get it on.

The Seleccion de Cazador Regios measures 5 x 50. It’s just one of many sizes in the line from Tatuaje, which also includes the 5 1/8 x 42 Noellas, 6 1/8 x 52 Unicos, 6 3/8 x 43 Havana Cazadores, 7 x 38 Especiales, and 7 5/8 x 49 Tainos. These sizes are made in Miami. Two other sizes, the 4 ½ x 32 Petite Tatuaje and the 5 5/8 x 46 7th, are made by Jaime Garcia at the My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua. The cigar has a filler and binder made up of Nicaraguan tobaccos. Completing the composition is an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. As is the case with most Tatuaje sticks, the Seleccion de Cazador comes with a Cuban style triple cap. Its strength is listed as full-bodied.

There is not a lot of flair or decoration when it comes to the Seleccion de Cazador Regios, but that appears to be Pete Johnson’s style. I’ll take substance over style any day. A small band sits near the head that displays the Tatuaje name in brown and white. The cigar’s wrapper is somewhat dark and oily. There are a few minor veins that are visible and no major imperfections. The cigar feels firm to the touch with no soft spots. I’ll give it a definite passing grade on construction. Prior to lighting, there’s an earthy taste and an aroma of pepper.

The Regios lights with ease and has a great draw. The smoke is very thick and the cigar has a chewy feel to it. My lighter gets some much-needed rest, as there is no need for touch-ups or re-lights. The light gray ash is solid. Overall, I am impressed with the burn. So far, so good.