Tatuaje 109 Reserva (Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary LE)
(Please skip the following paragraph to get straight to the review)
This cigar was produced to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Federal Cigar in New Hampshire. As with many of his cigars, Pete created these with a traditional Cuban size. This vitola is called a 109, which is 50 x 7 with a conical tip. There were actually two different cigars produced for the anniversary: The Natural or Rosado has a Nicaraguan Rosado wrapper, and the Reserva has a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. Both cigars are based on the Verocu blend and produced in a limited run of 300 boxes of the Natural/Rosado and 100 of the Reserva.
Prelight
Beautiful dark CBL wrapper, with nice heft and no soft spots to be found. The ornate double bands and the elegant conical tip combined to make this an impressive looking cigar. The foot gave up earthy barnyard aromas with a slight sweetness, and the cold draw was of rich earth.
First Third
The cigar lit easily, and gave forth initial notes of pepper, espresso, and bakers chocolate in the foreground, with earth and oak in the background. Ample, easy smoke with a pleasant aroma of toasted almonds. This cigar reminded me of a cross between a PSD#4 and a Bolivar Beli Fino. Although the profile established itself early on, there was a harshness that muted (or at least distracted) its presence.
Second Third
As is the case with most Tats, this cigar showed excellent burning qualities Perfectly even burn, great draw, ample smoke, and a slightly flakey ash.
Notes of strong espresso and bitter chocolate continued with wood and nuts on the long finish. The wonderful aroma remained as well.
I may have needed to rest this cigar a bit more, as the sort of harsh, bitterness remained.
Last Third
A steady dose of bakers chocolate, black pepper and espresso continued in the foreground with notes of nuts and oak as a backdrop. The burn remained fantastic to the end, and only went out once due to my lack of attention. Without a doubt, this cigar has the potential to be the single most Cuban-esque of any Tat on the market.
Closing
I really think that this cigar needed to rest more, as the flavor profile seemed masked by a slightly bitter and slightly harsh quality.
Based on the notes and flavors that did get through; combined with the very ageable size of this cigar makes me hopeful that re-visiting over the next month/year will be a real treat.
(Please skip the following paragraph to get straight to the review)
This cigar was produced to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Federal Cigar in New Hampshire. As with many of his cigars, Pete created these with a traditional Cuban size. This vitola is called a 109, which is 50 x 7 with a conical tip. There were actually two different cigars produced for the anniversary: The Natural or Rosado has a Nicaraguan Rosado wrapper, and the Reserva has a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. Both cigars are based on the Verocu blend and produced in a limited run of 300 boxes of the Natural/Rosado and 100 of the Reserva.
Prelight
Beautiful dark CBL wrapper, with nice heft and no soft spots to be found. The ornate double bands and the elegant conical tip combined to make this an impressive looking cigar. The foot gave up earthy barnyard aromas with a slight sweetness, and the cold draw was of rich earth.
First Third
The cigar lit easily, and gave forth initial notes of pepper, espresso, and bakers chocolate in the foreground, with earth and oak in the background. Ample, easy smoke with a pleasant aroma of toasted almonds. This cigar reminded me of a cross between a PSD#4 and a Bolivar Beli Fino. Although the profile established itself early on, there was a harshness that muted (or at least distracted) its presence.
Second Third
As is the case with most Tats, this cigar showed excellent burning qualities Perfectly even burn, great draw, ample smoke, and a slightly flakey ash.
Notes of strong espresso and bitter chocolate continued with wood and nuts on the long finish. The wonderful aroma remained as well.
I may have needed to rest this cigar a bit more, as the sort of harsh, bitterness remained.
Last Third
A steady dose of bakers chocolate, black pepper and espresso continued in the foreground with notes of nuts and oak as a backdrop. The burn remained fantastic to the end, and only went out once due to my lack of attention. Without a doubt, this cigar has the potential to be the single most Cuban-esque of any Tat on the market.
Closing
I really think that this cigar needed to rest more, as the flavor profile seemed masked by a slightly bitter and slightly harsh quality.
Based on the notes and flavors that did get through; combined with the very ageable size of this cigar makes me hopeful that re-visiting over the next month/year will be a real treat.
