Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 broadleaf - prerelease

[jerseyjay]

Additional Cojonu 2012 photography, check cigarphoto.net

This week we are photographing and reviewing a prerelease follow-up to Pete Johnson’s (Tatuaje) Cojonu series – Tatuaje Cojonu 2012. Considering specifications, the Cojonu line underwent a major revamp. The 2012 release, based on Cojonu 2003, will be available in two different wrappers: Ecuadorian Sumatra & USA Broadleaf Connecticut. Today’s Cojonu ’03, ’06, ’09 are only available in Habano Ecuador wrapper (* initially wrapped in Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 wrapper). Both versions of Cojonu 2012 will come as 6.5″ x 52 box-pressed parejo vitolas. Depending on the weather, Cojonu 2012 is estimated to be released ~MAR2012 and will be the first Cojonu, for the USA market, to be made in Nicaragua. Pete Johnson is/was planning (based on comments received from Saints & Sinners forum) to release “… standard 25-count boxes for smokers who are interested in one wrapper and 10/10 boxes for those who are interested in both wrappers…” Both Cojonu 2012 box-pressed broadleaf & sumatra as well as Cojonu 2003 (* also box-pressed) prereleases are/were (?) available at local Tatuaje events. I recommend watching the following video recorded by Charlie from stogiereview.com in which he sat down with Pete Johnson and talked about future projects.

This week we have selected Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 broadleaf. Visually, one was introduced to a perfectly wrapped and triple capped cigar. No visible veins and minimal seams. Take relatively dark, rustic looking, oily, slightly toothy USA Broadleaf Connecticut wrapper, add box-pressed finish and you have a delicious looking chocolate bar. After clipping, absolutely perfect draw. In flavor department, pleasant array of flavors – spice lingering in a back of the throat, earthiness, woodiness and hints of coffee morphing into dark chocolate toward the end of the cigar. One would expect some sweetness out of the broadleaf but I wasn’t able to detect much, if any. The Cojonu 2012 was putting off massive amounts of smoke ! Burn – a bit wavy but tolerable and I expect this to improve with time. This is a prerelease after all.

Knowing that Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 was based on Cojonu 2003, I have decided to smoke the latter in preparation for this review. With box-pressed finish and different wrapper, I was expecting a different experience … and it was. If I was to rate Cojonu line, I would humbly place 2006 as my least favorite, 2009 as a close runner-up and 2003 as my favorite. 2003 and 2012 provided different experience, full stop. Both were good but in my personal opinion, I have enjoyed 2003 a tiny bit more. I’m a sucker when it comes to the broadleaf wrapper but perhaps I’m stock on the 2003 classic blend. As stated above, the masses have spoken and asked for broadleaf finish as well as sumatra. Those that follow cigar industry know that sumatra wrapper is hot nowadays so I’m looking forward to Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 part 2 in which we will put Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper to the test.

 

[ciggy]

I really want to try these...Thanks for the review!

 

[FragmagnetEOD]

Can the previously released versions still be found?

 

[srduggins]

Can the previously released versions still be found?

Yes, they are still being made. The year just refers to the year of initial release.

 

[jerseyjay]

Can the previously released versions still be found?

Absolutely. 2003 / 2006 / 2009 should be available for purchase at your local B&M if they have a decent Tatuaje account. If you can't find them, reach out to my local B&M - Ruben's Smoke Stack, ask for Ruben and tell him that Jay sent you. Good luck !

 

[Sin]

Wow those are some beautiful pictures. Makes me drool a little

 

[FragmagnetEOD]

Thanks Brotha, I'll be on the look out. Also, love the website.

 

[Zedman05]

Damn do I love the 03'. I do like the 09's as well, but that 03' has a special place in my humi. I just wish it wasn't so damned big as it takes a good 2.5 hours just to smoke that for me, and most of the time, I don't have that long.
Thanks for the review, I will most likely be trying one or more of these in a few months.

 

[Reeve11]

great review and pics as always! I've smoked them both, and while they were/are very very young, I see crazy potential.

for me the broadleaf one tasted very tat like to me, where as the sumatra one had flavors going all over the place. With some more time hopefully it will balance out.

these will be winners.

 

[MReschke0626]

The Sumatra variant is growing on me. I can't wait to try them. Still not a big fan of the box-press tho.

 

[txaggie9307]

great review and pics as always! I've smoked them both, and while they were/are very very young, I see crazy potential.

for me the broadleaf one tasted very tat like to me, where as the sumatra one had flavors going all over the place. With some more time hopefully it will balance out.

these will be winners.

Reeve,

How would you compare the broadleaf wrapped one to the Regios Reserva or SW Maduro? I ask that because those are 2 of my favorite smokes..

 

[Alwayslit]

I'm looking forward to lighting these soon.

 

[jmvcp]

Love the pics and review I can't wait to get these!

 

[Le Buzz]

That box press looks wonderful and elegant. I'm sure this is a great smoke. Thanks for the great pics.

 

[jerseyjay]

Thanks for feedback guys ! Much appreciated. I'm also looking forward to toasting Sumatra version pretty soon.

Damn do I love the 03'. I do like the 09's as well, but that 03' has a special place in my humi. I just wish it wasn't so damned big as it takes a good 2.5 hours just to smoke that for me, and most of the time, I don't have that long.

Agree. 2003 is indeed a great smoke. 2.5hr ? Really ? 2003 is "only" 6.5" x 52 so it shouldn't take more than 1.5 / 1.75hr. Slow smoker, huh ?

great review and pics as always! I've smoked them both, and while they were/are very very young, I see crazy potential.

for me the broadleaf one tasted very tat like to me, where as the sumatra one had flavors going all over the place. With some more time hopefully it will balance out.

these will be winners.

Dan,
Thanks ! Will definitely seek out more when released to see how they age.

The Sumatra variant is growing on me. I can't wait to try them. Still not a big fan of the box-press tho.

Man ... I love box-pressed format.

 

[WhiteLightning]

I can't wait to try this cigar.