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Tatuaje J21 Reserva 1/2007

Kingantz

Growing too fast.
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
7,648
It’s a sunny, but hazy day out with the temperature right above 60F with a fairly decent breeze blowing making it feel slightly cooler out. There’s a large fire somewhere close as the air is filled with light smoke, which may be what’s causing most of the haziness. I’m taking a half-day today, just cause, so after a nice lunch I decided to come out on the back porch and have a go at a Tatuaje J21 Reserva from a January 2007 box. I find it very interesting that the wrapper is much lighter in color than one of my 2009 release sticks. I tried to do some research to see if there was a change in the wrapper, however was unable to really find anything other than its Nicaraguan ligero. Maybe someone has more information. The band is also different.

As previously stated, the wrapper is a lighter color almost looking natural next to the 2009. It has a couple of prominent veins, noticeable oil, and a nice triple cap on top. There’s a good weight in the hand, and squeezing the cigar I find it a bit spongy. After punching the cap with the largest ring on my knife, I find a perfect draw with taste of sweet, well matured tobacco.

The foot lights easily enough and volumes of smoke pour from the embers, a delicious aroma wafts to my nose, and I can’t wait to get a taste. After a couple quick puffs, I take a long draw and get a nice white peppery spice on the back of the tongue that is just right. The smoke itself is a good medium strength and very smooth over the palate with rich, delicious flavors; that of cedar wood and sweet roasted nuts with just a hint of cocoa and vanilla. The finish is fantastic, long and lasting well after exhaling.

A third in and the burn is razor sharp with a medium to light gray ash forming that holds strong until tapped off. The smoke continues to be a good medium strength and quite smooth, almost creamy over the palate, flowing effortlessly through the perfect draw. Medium white pepper spice still hits the palate just right, initially fairly strong however dissipating shortly after. Flavors remain rich and incredibly delicious with a very lasting finish, especially after exhaling slowly through both mouth and nose.

I can’t really describe how very much I’m enjoying this cigar. Through the final third, the burn remained sharp with an absolutely perfect draw and rich flavors coming through. Medium to almost full strength smoke flowed effortlessly in abundance, leaving a lasting finish on the palate. Compared to the 2009 release, this was without a doubt a better smoke by far, thoroughly enjoyable.

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Great review Greg! That's pretty amazing about the wrappers. Seeing them next to eachother really accentuates the difference. Maybe they are going for the classic "Cuban EL" look with the new ones by saving their darker wrapper leaves for the Reservas. Who knows... Thanks for the review!
 
Great review Greg! That's pretty amazing about the wrappers. Seeing them next to eachother really accentuates the difference. Maybe they are going for the classic "Cuban EL" look with the new ones by saving their darker wrapper leaves for the Reservas. Who knows... Thanks for the review!

Actually, the darker one in the pictures is the newer release. The lighter stick is the JAN07.
 
Good review on one of my favorites dear brother. Not being able to descibe how much one enjoys a cigar is a good thing. :thumbs:
 
Great review Greg! That's pretty amazing about the wrappers. Seeing them next to eachother really accentuates the difference. Maybe they are going for the classic "Cuban EL" look with the new ones by saving their darker wrapper leaves for the Reservas. Who knows... Thanks for the review!

Actually, the darker one in the pictures is the newer release. The lighter stick is the JAN07.

I think that's what he meant Greg. Although I don't know enough about CC ELs to know if they use a darker wrapper than a regular release. So maybe Tatauje started using the darker wrapper in 2009 to mirror CC EL's?
 
Well done, Greg.

Hmm, now to get some current production. I have about a half box somewhere buried. It is probably my favorite Tatuaje.
Need to find them and compare the wrappers to your pics, and smoke one to see how they're aging. Truth be told, I love these fresh. I love them aged too, but fresh they have that wonderful richness which does seem to mellow fairly quickly, unless you keep them away from too much air. I just pack waxed paper in the voids. Too bad my hoarding instincts overrule my smoke now instincts. :laugh:
 
I think that's what he meant Greg. Although I don't know enough about CC ELs to know if they use a darker wrapper than a regular release. So maybe Tatauje started using the darker wrapper in 2009 to mirror CC EL's?

That is what I was referring to. Thanks Larry. :thumbs:
 
I think that's what he meant Greg. Although I don't know enough about CC ELs to know if they use a darker wrapper than a regular release. So maybe Tatauje started using the darker wrapper in 2009 to mirror CC EL's?

That is what I was referring to. Thanks Larry. :thumbs:

Ahhh okay, went back and re-read. My bad brother!
 
Wow, that's a HUGE color difference in both the wrapper and the filler, from the looks of it. Hard to believe they're the same vitola!

Never had an aged one, but definitely one of my favorite Tats. Great review!

~Boar
 
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