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Tatuaje Black Tubos
As I was standing talking to my friends at the Davidoff Nicaraguan All Star Party I saw one of the workers bring out a box of cigars. My eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning, when I saw they were the Tatuaje Tubos and needless to say I pounced on them. Today’s review is one of the most anticipated releases of 2009, the Tatuaje Black Tubos. These cigars come in boxes of 10 in a nice oversized box and should be a little easier to find this time around as there are 46,000 cigars made. The MSRP is $14.00 a stick.
Cigar: Tatuaje Black
Size: 6.15 x 52 (Torpedo)
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Sun Grown Criollo Esteli)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Appearance and Construction (18/20): The cigar comes in a beautiful matte black tube with silver writing denoting tatuaje. But that is the easy part. Rating the Tatuaje black is difficult because of the wrapper which isn’t the prettiest. The Sun Grown Criollo wrapper has a marble appearance to it, and it looks rough. The cigar has some veins to it and a few blemishes. But this is what makes the Tatuaje Black so endearing to us. The cigar also features an unfinished foot and some tooth to it. This my friends is the holy grail of all cigars. I refer to it as such because of how rustic and ordinary it looks. If you recall the Holy Grail was made by a craftsman and it wasn’t flashy. That sums this cigar up.
Flavor & Notes (28/30): Prior to lighting the cigar I picked up some notes that were very similar to that of the Boris from Tatuaje. There was a slight peppermint and a sweetness to the cigar as well. I couldn’t wait to spark this baby up. Once lit the cigar offers some strong notes of pepper and spices especially through the nose. As the pepper begins to fade there are some nice wood notes here, and a nice strong espresso note present. Just before the first third ended I caught a sweetness that reminded me of honey, but it was gone in a flash. The second third really mellows out and it becomes a little earthy the notes of maple and coffee remain and I continue to get teased with a sweetness that I liken to honey. The final third of the cigar becomes a mixture of spice and earth and the cigar has a very long finish.
Burn/Ash/Draw (25/25): The cigar features an nice slow burn that is even througought.. The dense light colored ash of this cigar hold on for eternity with absolutely no flake at all. The draw has no flaws to it all.
Overall (24/25): This cigar is always sort after by collectors and fans of Tatuaje and while the supply is greater this year it will still be a hard one to track down. The MSRP is a little steep, but this is a cigar that is definitely worth it in my opinion. This cigar is outstanding to say the least.
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Why don’t vendors (Oh, say… Famous Smoke???) make a Tatuaje sampler???
I’d buy one, that’s for sure.
I just got one of these guys yesterday, I’m even more anxious to try it now. Thanks for the review.
i have to say though, mine has no viens, its no where near oily though. Its very flat and has some tooth, but no viens. Its super soft though, almost velvety.
Nice review. i picked up a box of black and red tubos last week.
The guy had a box of each on the counter with a pricetag of $12.75.
I said I will take a box of each, and he looked at me and said “you realize that $12.75 is for one cigar not for a box dont you?’
After I stopped laughing He told me that I would be suprised how many people that come in and make that mistake.
WellI hope everyone can get thier hands on some because they are fantastic.
… there goes the rest of the Christmas money (as soon as I find some that is).
Great write up, Barry! I am curious to hear about your thoughts after letting it sit for over 6 months or so.
FYI. Famous does have a Tat sampler. Kinda. Its called the Pete Johnson sampler. Cabaiguan, Tat, etc. Check it out….
You know, I’m not trying to be negative, since I enjoy very much reading reviews and information from Big B. However, $14 a stick? I tried very hard to get some Drac and Boris, and they both let me down so much for what I paid. I do like the black, but in this economy, just don’t get it. Sorry everyone.
The boris did not let me down, but that I agree on the Drac. Mine still taste like paint. The black is a proven stick though.
This is one of the best cigars I have smoked. It starts out very peppery and then it dies down to me into a smooth smoke. I thank you for the chance to indulge in one Barry,I hope that ashes near me gets some in some how some way.. I will be sure to stack up as i did the anejos…
This has to be up there with one of the best cigars I have smoked . I thank you for the chance to to indulge in one Barry.. It starts off almost overwhelming peppery but then dies down to a nice smooth pepper taste. I hope the shop near me gets some in stock i will be sure to stock up as i did the anjeos..
–Billy
Famous is already sold out…
Remembering the amazing aroma from that ceramic jar of Tatuaje Blacks….
I have searched long and hard to find this cigar and was thrilled when the black tubos came available. What I look for in a $9.00++ cigar is more than just superb flavor. I expect consistency from one to the the next. I am glad to read your review and see that your experience was consistent with mine. The wrapper can vary in color; it seems that some may have had a bit more sun than others, yet the flavor did not vary from one to the other. This is a wonderful cigar, maybe not quite as tasty as the ones released a couple of years ago in the ceramic jar, but certainly a must have cigar for collectors.
Thanks for the review.