Tatuaje TAA 2011 (Tobacconist’s Association of America) Review

2011 Tatuaje TAA

This release by Pete Johnson is part of the “exclusive series” line (think Barclay Rex or Federal Cigars) which in my opinion tend to generate strong interest among fans of his cigars. Personally, I’ve enjoyed several of his “exclusive series” line even more than the Halloween line so I certainly can’t complain. Essentially, the brief history behind this cigar was that at the annual TAA meeting which occurred in Cabo this year is that Pete Johnson asked all attending retailers to put down the number of boxes that they would like to have of this special release and that’s what happened.

Production count for the Tatuaje TAA was around 1500 boxes only for the retailers who attended AND signed up for the cigar. Supposedly the blend was to be similar to a Barclay Rex and Pork Tenderloin and judging by the wrapper and texture, this could be somewhat true. On to the review.

1/10/2012

Tatuaje TAA 2011

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: 5 5/8 x 54

Vitola: Box Pressed Toro

MSRP: $10.00

Drink: Water

Smoke Time: 1hr 45min

Location: Blowin Smoke

Construction/Appearance:

The Tatuaje TAA has a firm feel to it with some give. The appearance is doing a wonderful job of selling the cigar to me with it’s “rugged” texture, dark wrapper ending with a closed foot. Many cigars nowadays are going to the move of having a closed foot and for the rollers, it is the same amount of work and creates more “desire” for the cigar fan so everyone wins. The band has the exclusivo series label which also tends to create some demand or so I have seen. The box pressed Tatuaje TAA over all, is a very appealing cigar.

Burn/Draw:

Prelight draw is very smooth with the flame lighting up the closed foot in an accepting manner. The burn in the first third was wavey at times but it did correct itself. Some people may have issues with burns on a box pressed cigar but for the most part the Tatuaje TAA burned evenly. What is more impressive is the draw being consistently smooth never requiring a more or less of a breath. If I had to sum it up in one word: ideal. The ash throughout the smoke was firm holding on for about an inch to an inch and a half.

Flavor/Aroma:

The aroma of the Tatuaje TAA reminded me of sweet notes, mainly chocolate and wood. In fact, I spent a decent amount of time just absorbing the aroma which was simply quite delicious. The first third has brief stints of a sweetness which I could not pin point but there was plenty of spice combining with some nuances of earth and wood again. Almost finishing with the first third, I am picking up some sweet coco or chocolate.

In the second third, while the puff starts with sweetness, it ends with some pepper and spice on the tongue. I am certainly enjoying the 2nd third much more as the contrast in the two main flavors are contrasting well balancing each other out. On the retrohale I picked up a decent amount of pepper which didn’t surprise me at all. This cigar is hitting it’s stride as it enters the first third.

The last third was certainly enjoyable as spice isn’t as abundant allowing the chocolate notes to shine through lingering on the tongue. One of the biggest bright spots is that the cigar never got too hot and tasted as if you could be smoking too fast at the end.

Final Thoughts:

Smoking a few of these for the review, one contrasted with the other two exhibiting a bit more spice and pepper and a little harshness as well. For the most part, the flavor profile was well balanced with a wonderful draw to go along. Certain flavor points may have reminded me of the Barclay Rex but if I didn’t know that, perhaps I wouldn’t have picked that out. However, I certainly feel the Tatuaje TAA can stand on it’s own and with another year of rest, might bring out a better flow of flavors. I would certainly purchase a five pack or a box and see the improvement.

Rating: 90

Please check out several other reviews you may like:

Viaje Tower Cigars 45th Anniversary (exclusivo blend)

2011 Forbidden X Nacimiento 1912 Review (First Impression)

2010 Opus X #77 Shark Review

Tatuaje “The Smoke Room”

Jim

Haven’t had one yet, but after this review i will sure make an attempt at purchasing a few. Similar to the BREX in some aspects you say??? how would it pair with a pepperoni pizza??
- TravelingStogie
  
  Definitely some similarities Jim! Stores do have boxes of these still remaining ($200). Nothing compares pairing a BREX with a pepperoni pizza….
  - Anonymous
    
    You say pizza, I say steak! Or rack of lamb.
- philter451
  
  Jim,
  
  Is this some sort of inside joke I am missing?
  
  philter451 (r)
  - Anonymous
    
    Yeah. Jim and I were enjoying a cigar at a cigar lounge. He lights up a Barclay Rex and our food then arrives. Well, he “paired” his BREX with a pepperoni pizza and said it was a delicious combo. This joke has been going for years now. :)
    - MattyBlayze(R)
      
      I’ve paired numerous cigars with a Cuban sandwich at my local B&M – always gives me a giggle!
zombievette1981

I have had one of these in my humidor for a few months and didn’t even know it was a rare/ LE cigar. My girlfriend got it for my birthday, and it has just been resting. Ill defitily have to smoke it with her next time she is in.

Thanks travelingstogie (R/cigars)
- Anonymous
  
  Fortunately, this was one of the few “Exclusive Series” cigars by Pete Johnson that actually had a decent amount made. I believe somewhere in the range of 1500 boxes.
- philter451
  
  philter451 (r)
  
  Isn’t it nice to know you have something rare just by accident. Looks like you’ll have to thank your girl again.
- MattyBlayze(R)
  
  You’re the 2nd person to say he had one of these in his humi! I’d love to know your thoughts on it and if its in-line with what travelingstogie described.
Anonymous

(from /r/cigars)

I’ve never had a Tatuaje, but from this review it sounds like one that would be right up my alley. I’m a big fan of dark box pressed cigars, and the chocolate/coco flavor profile you’ve described sounds delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this line at any of my B&M’s, so it’s time to scour the Internet for one.

UPDATE: I found some of these available as singles ($10.99). If anyone is interested in a link, let me know.
- Anonymous
  
  I hope you enjoy the Taa 2011, I think it’s a phenomenal blend which will easily get better with some rest just to help the flavors develop a bit.
- philter451
  
  philter451 (r)
  
  Dean,
  
  I would be interested in that link if you would be so kind to provide one. He really does do a good job of making this cigar appealing doesn’t he?
  - MattyBlayze(R)
    
    Here you go: http://www.birminghamcigars.com/copy-of-tatuaje-2011-taa-limited-edition-blend/
Anonymous

That is a beautiful cigar. It is good to know that there is truth in advertising. By that, I mean it certainly looks chocolatey and you confirmed that it is. That with spice is the badge of a great cigar!
sperickson91

I really love the sharp and clear pictures you have taken and got to try me one of these (from r/cigars)
Eric

Excellent review! I like how you went really in depth and never knew tatuaje made these I usually have the black label from them.(R/cigars)
MattyBlayze(R)

I’m new to the world of Tats – I think the only stick I am aware of that I have smoked is the Triunfador. I tend to lean towards a more full-bodied smoke with some spice, and it seems from this review that this might be up my alley. To Dean364, if you have a link for a place that still sells this at MSRP, please contact me. I would imagine its very rare to find a LR at MSRP, so I’d jump on it just to try based off of this review.

Thanks, MattyBlayze(r/cigars)
- philter451
  
  Matty,
  
  When you say spice do you mean pepper? I always see a good selection of Tats in my B&M’s humidor but I never get any because people have told me they are extremely peppery. They look rich and tempting each time so it is hard not to get one. I have a feeling the r/cigars is going to drain Dean’s link’s supply in no time :p
  
  philter451 (r)
  - MattyBlayze(R)
    
    Yes, spice/pepper – all the same to my unrefined palette!
    
    Seriously, though, as I suggested elsewhere, go track down an El Triunfador. They’re relatively inexpensive and I think you’ll find the chocolatey sweetness and earthiness overpowers any pepper you might find.
    - Anonymous
      
      Sometimes I mix up Spice and Pepper. But to my understand, spice is a category where as Pepper is a flavor. I use spice in some of my reviews because while I can’t pinpoint the exact type of spice I know it is a spice. I guess you can say the same for Pepper (black or white pepper) but usually it’s just pepper.
      - MattyBlayze(R)
        
        And to think I’ve been using them practically interchangeably! Good to know so I don’t sound like an idiot! Thanks.
debotehzombie(R)

You know, I always thought that cigars made specifically for one event are just gimmick cigars that sell because of the band, the name, or the event it was given to. It’s nice to know that Tatuaje made a cigar that could stand on it’s on closed foot as a solid cigar and not rely on the fact that it’s a big name to sell sticks. I’ll need to get with Dean down there and get his link to some.
- philter451
  
  Debo,
  
  Is that generally what happens with LRs like this? I understand that selling “exclusive” cigars with the name “exclusive” is an excellent way to boost sales on an otherwise mediocre cigar but is that sale strategy the norm?
  
  philter451 (r)
  - MattyBlayze(R)
    
    I think you run the risk with LRs of the cigar “lacking” and the LR-tag being used to boost sales, as you say; however, there are many LRs that are downright amazing – whether they be Satoris or Opus X or whatever.
    - Anonymous
      
      Limited Release doesn’t necessarily mean amazing cigar. It just means we’re making a limited amount of cigars of something either a) we don’t have enough wrapper to make it a regular production cigar b)the store owner chose this size and doesn’t wish to make 500 boxes c)they may not sell all of them because most smokers don’t prefer that size.
  - Anonymous
    
    IMO, if they didn’t have LR for select stores, people wouldn’t support those stores for the cigar. I think Pete Johnson, Garcias, Padron make exclusive cigars for certain stores as sign of appreciation and to provide some direct business. Otherwise, what’s to really stop people from just shopping online at the major sites?
http://www.facebook.com/teejayniu T.J. Norris

teejayniu (R/Cigars)

I really love the box and the band on this cigar. It looks fantastic. I’m a big fan of cigars with notes of chocolate. I haven’t had this one, but I’ll have to try it out. Also, Pete Johnson looks like a total bad ass in pictures I’ve seen of him. Thanks for the review.
Brandon Kapral

R/cigars man, here (bkdrummer)

I have heard a few good things about this stick, most recently in a blog post by a guy at JR Cigars. I have looked to pick one up at my B&M’s here in Buffalo, but to no avail. Thanks for the post – I will have to look even harder to find one now!
- philter451
  
  It seems like this cigar being gone gone gone is the story. Dean364 found a link for a site selling them, but I would be surprised if r/cigars didn’t kill their stock immediately.
  
  philter451 (r)
Anonymous

I forgot to mention that I am on rcigars! Oops!
Cameron Albert

(R)

First of all, I love the photos you take. Very clear and add to the discussion of the cigar’s form and construction than simply as glory shots of the cigar.

I bought one of the 2011 TAA at the behest of the B&M owner when I was looking to get something special. I’m glad to hear that the stick I have resting in my humi is just getting better each passing day! Flavors I love in a great sounding cigar. Thanks for the review.
- Anonymous
  
  Thanks for the kind words. You’ll enjoy this cigar.
- philter451
  
  His pictures are really something special aren’t they? I need to take some notes and step up my picture game!
  
  philter451 (r)
- MattyBlayze(R)
  
  You should come back here and give your thoughts after you smoke it – I’d be interested in a 2nd opinion and see if you pull out something that travelingstogie didn’t.
  - Anonymous
    
    I would think he would only because I kept the description fairly generalized. I noticed that when I read reviews from other people, if they named extremely specific flavors, I couldn’t relate to it. I read some reviews where the person tasted 20 different flavors. As this site grows, I’d like to have my reviews “develop” as well, you know? Grow with the flow sort of speak so your audience isn’t alienated.
    - MattyBlayze(R)
      
      As someone who will freely admit to not having a sophisticated palette, I actually like the reviews I read to be very specific. I assume (and I can quickly realize otherwise) that the reviewers I follow know what they’re “talking” about, and I often use those reviews to help me “find” flavors.
      
      With that said, I understand your perspective.
FergyMcFergusom

Great (R)eview with some great pictures! Tatuaje makes some great cigars and this one looks like no exception! I’ll be looking for this one at the local shop. I hope they still have them!
Joshua S Johnson

jjohns71(r) If I had one word to describe Tatuaje it would be “Amazing”. Every Tat I have ever smoked I have enjoyed to no end. I actually was lucky enough to find one of these at my B&M but since I found one they no longer have any left.

I love the pictures you post and you can tell you are very dedicated and spend a lot of time on your site. Every time I see a link from you I make sure to check it out. Here’s to continued excellence!
- Traveling Stogie
  
  You’re right about the time and effort. Personally, I think having a site that contains pictures of HTF cigars helps as there are many releases out now a days that we forget what they look like.
- philter451
  
  Joshua,
  
  Can you tell me which Tats are your favorites? I have not had one and I keep going back and forth on whether to try one as I am not a fan of a lot of pepper. Help me out?
  
  philter451 (r)
- MattyBlayze(R)
  
  Joshua – Were your experiences with this stick in-line with the above review?
Tom

ProgressNotes (R)

Nice review! I’ll keep my eye out for these. It might be a little more chocolatey than other Tats I’ve had. Pete’s got a special edition coming out this weekend for the local B&M (W.C. Draper’s in DC) that I’m pretty excited about. Thanks!
- TravelingStogie
  
  I’m hoping to get a few of the 125th as well, at least for a review!
- MattyBlayze(R)
  
  You might have to pick some of those up and share!
SloppyMcNubble (R)

I come from r/cigars! Another nice review.. Ive liked nearly every Tatuaje Ive tried, this is another one I need to add to my list. Nice to see that others have located them for sale. Your photos are always great, I loved the photo layouts of all the different Tat’s you did. What camera setup do you use?
- philter451
  
  philter451 (r)
  
  Sloppy, what other Tats do you really like and are they similar in flavor profile to this one based on the description? I have stayed away from them since people have described them as pepper monsters and that is not up my alley.
  - MattyBlayze(R)
    
    I’m not an expert with Tats – one of the reasons I’m frequenting this site (to learn more). If you want to work your way in, though, might I suggest you look at El Triunfadors. El Triunfadors are made by Tatuaje, and for cheap smokes, they are amazing. You’re going to get a little spice, but it really offers some amazing flavor.
  - Anonymous
    
    Phil, try the Havana IV line. I get more tart/tangy flavors with a bit of spice out of those than some of Pete Johnson’s other cigars. And they’re at a nice price point.
  - SloppyMcNubble (R)
    
    Ive tried a few, not as many of the LEs as Id like.. Seleccion De Cazador, reserva, Havana VI, ambos mundos, triunfador, fausto.. Im sure there were others. I didnt much care for the series P, thats the only one that left me disappointed for whatever reason. In addition to the Havana line travelingstogie mentioned, try to get your hands on some triunfadors. They are my go to mild/medium smoke. Barely any of the pepper/spice you get with some tats.
philter451

philter451 (r)

Before you even got really in depth with the review, I am impressed by the photos you are taking. Very cool. I also like how you spent a good deal of time talking about the construction of the cigar and the appearance. So many reviews focus on the quality of the smoke alone and forget just how nice a good looking cigar can be.

What I didn’t like was the black on grey background for the heading text. That makes it look amateur and your reviews are anything but. Additionally I would like more description of the flavor. The descriptors seemed kind of vague and I want to hear more about the cigar that looks so good.

Overall a nice review though!
- Anonymous
  
  Thanks for the critique Phil. Occasionally wordpress changes the font color and in the preview it may look white but come out a different color in the final version. Thanks for the heads up.
Zachary Depew

This sounds like a great cigar that i would love to review as well. Thanks for the write up. If i ever come across one of these ill be sure to snag it.
- Zackthestogieman
  
  also if it doesnt show (zackthestogieman (R)
ThinPancakes (R)

I love just the visual aspect of the cigar. The rugged look, as you described it, is a look that I’ve never really seen on any other cigar, which really piques my curiosity about this cigar. I’ve never had a Tatuaje before, but just the visual appeal of the stick makes me eager to try it. Great photos by the way.
bigcatohmy(r)

bigcatohmy (r)

Great review! I’ve heard a little bit about the TAA and have always wanted to shop at one of their sponsored stores. Unfortunately we don’t have any around here. In the review you talked about a retrohale. I’m not sure what that is. Is it when you blow out?

Can’t wait to try this cigar it seems like a deal for the price and I’v been very impressed with the few tatuaje sticks i’ve tried.
- MattyBlayze(R)
  
  A retrohale is when you take a draw, move it (with your tongue) to the back of your throat, and exhale out the nose.
  
  I retrohale almost exclusively. Depending on the stick, I will blow out none, some or most of the smoke, and take the remaining and savor it on the back of the tongue before exhaling out the nose. It *greatly* aids in detecting flavors, IMO.
Chris

The color of that wrapper is just gorgeous.
Kincchezthefirst (R)

These are quality sticks! I’ve had quite a few and find them to be quite possibly the most consistently good stick I’ve had.
CMcCarthy1988

CMAC1988 (R):
Bought a 2011 TAA on my weekly pilgrimage to Tobacconist. I would find your assessment fair, but not exactly charitable. I’m not a fan of the box press, If God wanted cigars to have corners, he would have made square cutters. Nice full flavor, seemed to be a little plugged, but I always think box press cigars draw too tightly. Seemed a little bitter closer to the finish, but a full spicy smoke was well worth the money. If they moved away from the square cigar, I think I would be more inclined to smoke this regularly or make box purchases.
bootdogjj (R)

I really appreciated your style of reviewing. I liked how you were honest about your thoughts on the cigar, particularly how you were willing to say that you couldn’t quite “pinpoint the flavor.” I am now going to begin checking out the rest of the site!
SaltyDog85 (R)

Not only does that cigar look amazing, I sounds like it tasted great. The burn looks sharp as can be and the tobacco looks like top notch. I like the way you took so many pictures and not only was the quantity helpful but the quality of the pictures made a large difference too. Well done on the review!
Matster2010

Matster2010 (R)

The pictures really add a lot to the review. You’ve definitely got some talent with photography. I have yet to actually smoke Tatuaje, but if it’s anything like this review, then I’m sure it’ll be a great smoke. I’ll definitely start reading more travelingstogie reviews in the future, if only for the photos!