Tatuaje Miami Especiales Review

SUPERB!

If I was giving a one word review, that would be it!

I recently picked up a fiver of these off on the Devil, and added them to my Tat drawer in my humi. Along with these five, there was a single that has been resting since last summer sometime, when I picked up my very first Tats at a shop in Mississippi.

Tonight, I needed about an hour's worth of stick to see me thru the last of a book I was reading. I grabbed the aged stick (7.5" x 3 from my humi, and seeing that it was a fairly small ring gauge, grabbed a Punch Rare Corojo Pita to fill in the extra time that the Tat didn't take up. I wasted my time grabbing the Punch! This stick has a size that is a throwback to more classic Cuban cigars. A small ring gauge that I mistook for a fast smoking stick is a deception grande!

The wrapper on this stick was slightly toothy, but overall flawless, though I did note the aged stick was a lighter color wrapper than the new ones I recently added). Cigar was firm, no soft spots, and a sweet, nutty smell to the wrapper. I could smell that wrapper all day, but I suspect my family and neighbors would become worried!

The smaller ring gauge meant this stick fired up almost instantly, with a minimal toasting of the foot (clipped the cap with one of my trusty Club Stogie cutters). After the initial light, I did not touch my lighter again thru the entire 7 inches that I smoked. I haven't had a cigar burn that straight and clean in some time. I had to actually tap the ash off at an inch, every time. Ash probably would have clung tight for several inches otherwise. And, though I tend to smoke too fast sometimes, I noted that with every ashing, the ember was nice and level, no tunneling, and no canoing!! I knew within the first inch that this cigar was going to last me the remainder of my book. Though slight in ring gauge, this stick put up a strong fight to outlast me! No draw problems here, the stick smoked smooth and even, much more like a good robusto than a panatella.

Smoke production, man, did this baby excel! I really like a cigar that gives a good amount of smoke to me. This one did not disappoint! Great for blowing smoke rings, not to mention keeping the bugs at bay! An hour into this stick, I still had almost 2 inches left! What efficiency is it that allows for this much smoke, a smooth draw, but such a long burn time?

Flavor, oh yes, what about flavor? Immediately, if not sooner, this stick jumps out with a rich, smooth tobacco flavor, with hints of sweet nuts. No bitterness like I have been experiencing lately on start-ups, this one was ready to enjoy from the first draw. First 1/3 of the stick was slightly spicy, but tempered with the hints of sweetness and nuts. The middle of the stick arrived with a smooth transition to full flavor. Roasted nuts, not the average peanut, but the good stuff - cashews, pecans, almonds. Ninja Vanish walked out about this time, and he immediately noted the nutty smell in the smoke. Sweetness underlying the nutty flavor was just right. The last third was more of a blending of the sweet, nuts and spices. At one point, I noticed a slight buzz, a nice buzz, not a sick buzz.

This cigar reminded me of a Cuban cigar in more ways than the purposeful Cuban size. The cigar produced large amounts of really fine smelling smoke. There was a variety of tastes that I picked out, and I am usually not very good at discerning different tastes. The tastes were clean and crisp, but did not linger around for 20 minutes after a draw. By the time I was ready for the next draw, the aftertaste was gone, and I was eager to replace it with a fresh draw. Maybe the clean aftertaste was responsible for me being able to pick out more flavors?

At a half inch remaining, the taste was still clean, tasty and cool. I would probably have smoked this down to my fingernails, but I had trimmed them earlier today, and I wanted to remember the fine aroma of tobacco, and not of seared fingertips!! I regretted having to toss this cigar into the driveway, but I know when I see the stub tomorrow, that it will be the shortest one out there!

Ninja noted that he thought CA had rated this cigar in the mid to high 90's. I haven't checked, and don't really intend to, because I can rate it myself, and it is definitely a high 90's smoke for me. I would have to say 97 or 98, maybe even a 99.

I wonder how long the five I just laid down are going to make it?? Given the strong performance of their older brother, I have my doubts that I will be able to resist them for a full year!

[partagaspete]

Great review. I can't wait to get a hold of one now.

T

[BigJon]

WOW

[jloutlaw]

Good job on the review. Tatuajes are next on my purchase list.

[BigJon]

Can't find this cigar online anywhere in stock.


WAAAAA!

[johnnybot3000]

Very nice detailed review Being a new fan of the Noellas as well as smaller ring cigars puts this one on the list for me. Thanks!

[D. Generate]

Originally Posted by partagaspete

Great review. I can't wait to get a hold of one now.

T

Got a Tatuaje sitting there doing nothing. Will bring it to the herf.

[kevsays]

Damn. If I wasn't interested in this cigar before, I sure am now! Nice review and now am I looking for one.

[erictheobscure]

Arg. I haven't been terribly impressed with the Pepin cigars I've tried (the Achilles, which I know isn't one of his finest efforts, and the 8&11 Corona). But reading reviews like this makes me want to try, try again!

[BamaDoc77]

THOSE SOUND GOOD!!!! I love Tat', I really didnt at first, but the more I have, the more I am enjoying their 'musty' flavors...and I dont mean that in a bad way....its just grown on me..will HAVE to try one of these RGs now.

[omowasu]

Cliff, how are these smoking now?

I just had one out on the deck after a few beers, and let me tell ya - there is one cigar that has never, ever failed to kick my arse, and that is the Tatuaje Especiales. No "Triple Ligero", no "extra fuerte" but they overpower most NC cigars out there. I dont know if it is the thinner RG, the 7 1/2" length, a blend with a LOT of ligero or what, but every time I am left in a very mellow state with a bit of stomach rumble.

Oh, and they taste great too, a little strong but that is what I was after!

Originally Posted by omowasu

Cliff, how are these smoking now?

I just had one out on the deck after a few beers, and let me tell ya - there is one cigar that has never, ever failed to kick my arse, and that is the Tatuaje Especiales. No "Triple Ligero", no "extra fuerte" but they overpower most NC cigars out there. I dont know if it is the thinner RG, the 7 1/2" length, a blend with a LOT of ligero or what, but every time I am left in a very mellow state with a bit of stomach rumble.

Oh, and they taste great too, a little strong but that is what I was after!

I wish I could give you an update, but I haven't smoked another since this review. I actually have five more in my humidor, but they were fresh about the time i wrote the review, and I wanted them to have a little aging. However, I think they probably deserve a try with some freshness (for comparison sake, down the road). I kinda have in mind to burn one at 3 months, then 6 months, and one year, with maybe another in-between.

Thanks for the bumped thread to remind me it's about time for that 3 month old to take a "powder", so to speak.

[mrpunch]

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=98804

Fresh sampler - great deal - sealed with a humidipak for shipping - smoke it as soon as it arrives - it's that simple.

[rottenzombie]

Darned good review,I haven't tried these yet but they are on the list ,along with many others

[stashu]

Great review!

That was my favorite Tat last winter. Couldn't stop smok'n 'em. I still have four of them that have been sitting quietly and now reading your review has got me looking at them again.

Funny how the smaller gauges seem to have more kick eh?