Tatuaje Black

Ah what a beautiful day with temps in the low 80’s and a nice breeze blowing. I’ve been wanting to try a Tatuaje Black for a while now and figured this afternoon would be as good a time as any. This particular stick came from one of the jars, dark brown wrapper that was quite coarse. It had the look of old, worn leather. I found the weight to be very light and not much give when squeezed. The cap came to a small point with the foot covered with a crumpled layer of tobacco leaf. Some of the leaf had broken off and gave a slight glimpse at the bunching that seemed to be a bit loose. I punched the cap and pre-draw was very loose with no resistance whatsoever. Not very happy with that.

I torched the leaf on the foot and ash formed quickly, blowing away in the breeze. Again, the draw had no resistance at all, and I had to be very careful as a good deal of smoke was coming through. I took a few puffs letting it rest a bit in between each before taking a first draw. After a minute or two, my first draw proved to be very overpowering with a huge blast of strong black pepper spice on the back of the throat. I took short, slow draws for the first inch or so as I continued to get strong black pepper spice with a mix of leather, wood, and toasted nuts.

The ash was quite loose and fell at about the one inch mark revealing a long, coned whitish ash. About one and a half to two inches in, the black pepper spice all but completely disappeared and the smoke became quite creamy with leather and toasted nuts. A hint of cocoa was there as well. I found it started out with a very full strength in the beginning, however at that two inch mark it mellowed down to a nice medium. I have to say that I found the flavors to be somewhat muted. Maybe faint is a better word? I wouldn’t say bland as there were flavors there, but really hard to detect.

The smoke finished up basically with muted flavors and the draw was way too loose throughout. I purged at one point and the ash blew out in pieces. There was also a nice cavity in the center of the smoke at the second ashing. I have to say I was a bit disappointed with the under-fill and the smoke going from overpowering at the beginning to somewhat muted after about halfway. I’ll let the other that I have rest for a good while at a slight higher RH than I had this one. See how it is in a year or so.









Looking up through the walnut tree…




A storm blowing in…

Gasp! Looks like you got a bad one :\

I've only had one and it didn't have any of the problems you mentioned. The draw was good and the flavor was nice. The burn was good too. I'm surprised that made it through QC!

Always a nice experience reading through your reviews Greg. I thought the black was an OK cigar. Not worth the hype and tag but enjoyable. Thanks for sharing. Hope the next is better for ya.

Great review and pics Greg.

A different looking SC that we went through, those clouds look mean.

As for the Tat Black. You picked a dud IMO. I have had several, all enjoyable and none as you describe.

Brian

Ahhhhh,

Another delightful review...picturesque as always. Why do I always feel relaxed after viewing the scenery in your reviews?

As for the cigar, sounds like you got a dud. I hope your next experience will be more positive.

Wilkey

Wow, I love the way you guys take the time to post pictures on your reviews, really quite awesome!!!

Nice review Greg, great pics! I too believe you got a dud. Not quite sure at what rH this one was being kept, but this is a smoke that imo probably should be enjoyed between 65%-68% to achieve some resistance on the draw. The ones I've smoked were around 60%-63% and the draw at this rH is very loose. I typically don't like a cigar that draws too loose but for some reason really enjoy it with these. I hope the next one proves to be better for ya.

That's to bad about your draw problems. I've only had 2 of the Black's and both mine we're fine on the draw. I also hit on all of the flavors you said came out in the smoke. Not my favorite Tatuaje but I would smoke it again, that is if you can find them.

I just purchased my first one today. Hopefully I will let it sit for 2 or 3 weeks. After the review my cravings are getting stronger,

Ginseng said:

Ahhhhh,

Another delightful review...picturesque as always. Why do I always feel relaxed after viewing the scenery in your reviews?

As for the cigar, sounds like you got a dud. I hope your next experience will be more positive.

Wilkey

Click to expand...

I hope thats all it is that you got a dud. I have had 2 of these sitting in my humi for a month or so and really can't wait to burn one, you don't want to know what i paid but anyway i think by the weekend i will write a noob reveiw on this stick.

Thanks for the review. I've got one I've been holding on to, I just need to smoke the damn thing and get it over with. It seems the reviews are back and forth on this one.

This is such a great cigar and with some age on them you already see a differenc in the smoke.

Great review and love the pics! My Tat Black experience has been different, though . . . almost through my jar now---because I have absolutely NO flippin' self-restraint, lol---and every one has just been terrific.

~Boar