Tatuaje Regional Edition: Exclusivo Zona Del Este

[HeavyMetal-cr]

Tatuaje Exclusivo Zona Del Este Double Robusto 5.5 x 54

Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Storage: 63 – 65 RH at 68 – 72 F.

Construction: Extremely oily oscuro wrapper. Minor veining. As expected, the construction is solid, smooth and dense.

Prelight: Spicy tobacco aroma. Heavy rich and earthy flavors. Medium draw.

Burn: Lit evenly, straight burn with no touch-ups, firm light gray ash.

Drink: Zaya Rum & Iced Coffee Chaser

Smoking Notes: Opened with very heavy full-bodied Nic tobacco notes of dark earth and a good bit of black pepper. The HUGE volume of smoke is very thick, oily and smooth. The aroma is dark, rich tobacco. After warm-up, the cigar delivers exactly what one would expect from a large ring dark Nic puro - intense notes of deep, dark earth, heavy peppery spice, dark espresso and a touch of leather. The cigar increases in complexity during the second third adding notes of polished wood, a bit of leather, and cocoa around the dark Nic core. The finish remains spicy and earthy, but adds the typical Nic hint of sweet nuts (coconut, macadamia, brazil ? I've never been able to figure out the exact flavor). As expected, the final third is very deep, dark, earthy, rich, woody Nic tobacco with heavy black pepper notes, but never bitter or tarry. The rum and coffee paired perfectly making this experience a literal barrage of intoxicating dark earth flavors. I nubbed this.

Overall Impression: This cigar is a definite A, and will likely be an A+ with some aging. This is a HEAVY smoke that literally assaults the palate and only gets deeper as it progresses. Despite the extremely heavy flavors, the nic content is seems to be just medium-full. I'm a little buzzy, but nicely so; given rum + coffee + cigar, this ain't exactly a surprise. The tobacco coming out of Nicaragua these days is nothing short of amazing and, IMHO, giving the vaunted Pinar del Rio leaf a run for the money. I will smoke MANY more of these (if I can find them). Thank you Don Pepin Garcia, and keep up the good work.

[stanthetaxman]

Wonderful review, Craig. I can almost taste it now.......

[Cycleman]

Nice review....


I'm not to sure about the flavor of:

notes of polished wood, a bit of leather

Is this good or bad?

[Madmike]

polished wood???


W T F !!

[Denahue]

Originally Posted by Cycleman

Nice review....


I'm not to sure about the flavor of:

Is this good or bad?

This is a very good thing Michael... Very nice review Craig...

[Iceman]

Great review Craig. I now know that I would not survive one of these, so I can save my money...