I recently drove to Philadelphia with some friends, and hung out with Pete at Holt’s on Walnut before heading to the Oyster Bar for dinner. Over the course of the day we discussed his music career, future releases, and IPCPR. When I arrived there were only 4 non-dress boxes left, and within 5 minutes those were gone.

Cigar: Tatuaje Wolfman (Monster Series #4)
Size: 7.5 x 52 (Box Pressed Torpedo)
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 4

Tatuaje Wolfman

Appearance and Construction: Coming in at 7.5 inches the Tatuaje Wolfman has more of an “A” feel to it and not the torpedo it is. The foot of the cigar has a clean-looking shaggy foot to it, which should light easy. The wrapper is gritty and coarse under the fingers with some thin veins present. Like earlier “Monster” releases, the stick has a nice scary look to it. The box pressed cigar (oh how I love a box pressed cigar!) has an average weight to it, and an ugly red on tan band.

Tatuaje Wolfman Foot

Flavor & Notes: There is an amazing amount of cocoa like notes coming off the wrapper that one doesn’t have to work on getting. Even sitting on my desk in front of me as I write this I can catch the wonderful aroma. The foot of the cigar is meaty to the nose, and once we clip the cap the draw reminds me a bit of marshmallows and cedar. When you light the cigar, the notes are different until you get to the wrapper. This shows just how important a wrapper is. Once the wrapper is breached there is a sweetness present with some wonderfully rich notes of cocoa and cedar that join the spice of the foot. As we smoke the first third the spice slowly fades and the sweetness intensifies. In the second third of the cigar the wood notes really take control of the stick with a sweetness in the background that reminds one of chocolate. The wood notes stay on the finish but are heavier than cedar bordering on pine or maple. The last third of the cigar picks up some coffee notes, that compliment the remaining notes chocolate and wood, which a slightly dry earth like finish.

Tatuaje Wolfman First 3rd

Smoking Characteristics: The draw of the Tatuaje Wolfman is slightly loose, and as a result smokes a little fast. This has been the case on all the samples I have smoked even with a small clip of the tip. The ash of the cigar is marble like with a mix of dark and light color ash. It is also fairly weak as I lost the ash about every inch or so in my lap. The cigar burns slightly jagged, but never once showed signs of getting out of hand. The aroma was both sweet and woody.

Tatuaje Wolfman Second 3rd

Conclusion: While none of the Monster series have disappointed, some stand out more than others. For me the Frank remains the best in the series while the Wolfman is a close 2nd. The profile of the cigar is right in my wheelhouse and that makes this a cigar that was worth the effort in tracking down.

Tatuaje Wolfman Last 3rd

Rating: 92
Price: $15.00

According to UpDown Cigar (one of the retailers selling this smoke),

The first exclusive Tatuaje cigar for the Tobacconist’s Association of America, Pete Johnson only made 1,500 boxes total for only a handful of cigar stores. A beautiful U.S.A. grown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is left with a shaggy foot and wrapped over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Boxed pressed at 5 5/8″ by 54, the flavor has plenty of typical Tatuaje spice but is complimented by a rich sweetness from the wrapper. They smoke great now, and will age beautifully.

Here is our take on the latest from Pete Johnson…

Cigar: TAA 2011 Exclusive by Tatuaje
Size: 5 5/8 x 54
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 2

Tatauje TAA 2011

Appearance and Construction: The TAA Exclusive Tatuajue is a box pressed and is very square. The cigar has one medium-sized vein and the roll is a bit porous on the sample I am using to write my review. On the first cigar I smoked I only jotted down the notes of the smoke, so I can’t compare it to others. The foot of the cigar is closed, and under the fingers there cigar is smooth almost having a vinyl like feel to it. There are a few soft spots on the top side of the smoke, but the cigar does have a nice weight to it. The band off the cigar has the TAA logo and like other exclusive Series Tatuaje cigars, the band reminds me of the belt from the movie Rocky.

Tatauje TAA 2011 Foot

Flavor & Notes: The cigar has a wonderfully sweet nose to it that borders on milk chocolate with a dose of earth thrown in. Once the cap is clipped the cold draw serves up some more sweetness with a bit of leather in the mix. Once the cigar is lit a nice spice quickly develops with an underlying sweetness and cedar. Working into the first third of the smoke the spice remains and is the focal point, but there is also a nice coffee note and some leather especially on the finish. As we enter the second third, a sweetness begins to take over of the Tatuaje TAA 2011 on the draw, but the finish remains leathery. The last third of the cigar the spice and strength kicked it up a notch with a nice woody finish.

Tatauje TAA 2011 First Third

Smoking Characteristics: The Tatuaje TAA 2011 Exclusive burned pretty fast for me lasting just over an hour, and I am generally a slow smoker. The draw of the cigar was a bit on the loose side with a straight cut, so I would suggest going with a punch cut if you smoke one of these. The ash of the cigar was a medium gray and held on for a bit less than a quarter of the stick before falling off into my lap. The aroma of the cigar was a bit woody and it was a major league smoke producer.

Tatauje TAA 2011 Second Third

Conclusion: When I smoked this cigar I couldn’t get over how much this reminded me of the Barclay Rex 100th Anniversary stick. Pete has stated this cigar is a take on that cigar and the Pork Tenderloin. To me it reminds me of the Barclay with some extra ligero in the mix. The cigar is rich and powerful with the nicotine catching up on me in the last third. The cigars aren’t too difficult to track down and if you like the full-bodied this on is for you.

Tatauje TAA 2011 Last Third

Rating: 90
Price: $11.00

Anyway, ramblings aside my cough and cold are gone and I am back to smoking 3-6cigars a day. My wallet isn’t happy about that, but my mental well being is as the relaxing time was missed in my daily repertoire. A cigar I have been smoking a lot is the San Lotano Oval by AJ Fernandez.

According to the AJ Fernandez website,

The prestigious San Lotano Oval from AJ Fernandez presents in a highly unique oval shape. The key to an enhanced smoking experience: ultra-premium aged tobacco. The new Oval affords a truly distinguished balance like no other.

The cigar is available in six sizes, Petite Robusto (4.5 x 54); Corona (4 x 44); Robusto (5.5 x 54); Toro (6 x 54); Gordo (6.5 x 60) and Pyramid (6.5 x 54).

Cigar: San Lotano Oval
Size: 5.5 x 54 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Habano 2000 Wrapper (Aged 4+ years)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Strength: Medium
Cigars Smoked For Review: 5+

San Lotano Oval

Appearance and Construction: If you read my blog on a regular basis you should know by now about my love for box pressed cigars. The oval is a nice variation on the traditional box press. The Habano wrapper that adorns this creation from AJ Fernandez is as smooth as silk under the fingers and glistens with oils. There are a few veins present, but none of them are more than the norm. The cigar is well rolled with a simple cap. Under close inspection there are no soft spots and a slight sponginess. Perfection.

San Lotano Oval Foot

Flavor & Notes: The foot of the San Lotano Oval by AJ Fernandez serves up a nose of chocolate and spice. The cold draw consists of a moss, cedar and a touch of spice. As the cigar rested between my lips to chocolate from the wrapper was intensely delicious. Once the cigar is lit the dominant note of coffee begins to take hold and is magnified when exhaling through the nose. In the background is a subtle mocha and spice. The cigar is extremely smooth and has a lot of depth. In the second third of the cigar a transition into a traditional nuts and cedar with a nice sweetness in the mix as well and some coffee on the finish. The cigar remains incredibly smooth and complex. The last third of the cigar changes into one of earth, and some more the moss that was experienced on the pre-light draw. The finish has a bit of nuttiness to it and

San Lotano Oval First 3rd

Smoking Characteristics: The San Lotano Oval burns slightly off-center, but never gets out of hand or develops a waviness about it. The dark ash holds strong easily keeping it’s ash for half the cigar at a clip on all the samples I smoked. The draw was almost perfect bordering on the slightly loose side. The aroma of the cigar really stood out filling the nasal cavity with a sweet milk chocolate like note that enhanced the cigar smoking experience.

San Lotano Oval Second 3rd

Conclusion: The regular San Lotano Habano line is good, but the Oval is outstanding. Wonderfully rich and complex the cigar has a profile the pleases from the first light to the last exhale. The Oval instantly proclaims itself as a stick worthy of consideration for cigar of the year. Finding them on-line will be difficult as they are Brick & Mortar only.

San Lotano Oval Final 3rd

Rating: 93
Price: $8.00

These cigars are available via Uptown Cigar, call them for pricing.

The third installment of the 4 part series is from My Father Cigars and called the El Hijo. The cigar will feature a select 2009 harvest Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with binder and fillers from Nicaragua. The cigar will come in a 5.5 x 52 with an unfinished foot. Only 650 boxes of 15 are being made, and the cigar is labeled as medium to full-bodied. Pre-Orders are now being taken over at Smoke Inn, and they are selling fast so get your order in today!

Cigar: My Father El Hijo
Size: 5.5 x 52 (Box Press)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 2

Smoke Inn My Father El Hijo

Appearance and Construction: The My Father cigar band has to be one of the nicest in the industry. Underneath the band is a second one denoting El Hijo, which means, The Son. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper has a fail amount of oils and some small veins. The foot of the cigar has a small shaggy food which is similar to what one can expect from the Wolfman being released by Tatuaje later this year. The cigar has a nice weight to it, no soft spots, and is a nice looking box pressed cigar.

Smoke Inn My Father El Hijo Foot

Flavor & Notes: Allow me to channel Ralph Kramden for a minute and say, How sweet it is! The aroma off of the cigar is absolutely delicious.  To the nose there is so much going on that every “sniff” adds to the mix. The dominant notes to the nose are floral, chocolate, and earth. One the cap is clipped the notes of chocolate become even more defined with some earthy components as well. The second third of the cigar has me wondering if there is Pelo de Oro tobacco in it as it reminds me of the leaf. The notes in the second third were a subtle cinnamon along side some chocolate and coffee notes. There was also some leather on the spicy finish. The last third of the cigar becomes heavy on wood notes with earth though there is some faint chocolate on the finish.

Smoke Inn My Father El Hijo 1st Third

Smoking Characteristics: The cigar started off with a pretty jagged burn but over the first third it corrected itself. This could have been due to user error on lighting the shaggy foot. The draw was ideal and the light color ash held for half at a time. The aroma of the smoke was almost as complex as the cigar itself which added to the overall experience. The strength picked up over the course of the cigar and the effect of nicotine were felt by the time i put the cigar down.

Smoke Inn My Father El Hijo 2nd Third

Conclusion: Limited Edition cigars seem to be the way of the industry as of late, at lease more then in the past. The Smoke Inn Micro Blend series has been a lesson on how to do it the right way and the 3rd installment might be the best so far. A complex smoke that is rich with flavors is the equation for a great cigar.

Smoke Inn My Father El Hijo Last Third

Rating: 91
Price: $146.25 a box of 15.

According to the Jameson Cigar website,

[Santos de Miami is] a blend inspired by the spirit of Miami, particularly Calle Ocho. Santos de Miami features all Dominican grown tobaccos with a Havana Corojo wrapper, Criollo ’98 binder, and Corojo and Criollo fillers. Presented in a box press and finished with a pig tail cap.

The cigar comes in one size and here are our thoughts

Cigar: Santos de Miami
Size: 6 x 54 (Haven)
Wrapper: Dominican Havana Corojo
Binder: Dominican Criollo ’98
Filler: Dominican Criollo & Dominican Corojo
Strength: Medium
Body: Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

Santos de Miami

Appearance and Construction: The Santos de Miami features an extreme box press similar to those found in the Padron 1964 line. The cap features a tight pigtail that can easily be twisted off if a cutter is not handy. The Havana Corojo wrapper is a bit weak, and if proper care isn’t taken it is easy to nick these wrappers especially near the foot. The cigar is well packed with no soft spots though the foot does seem to be slightly porous. In the hand the wrapper has a velvet like smoothness about it, and the wrapper features colors of aqua and coral.

Santos de Miami Foot

Flavor & Notes: I used my teeth to clip the cap of the cigar which was does without any damage to the wrapper. The prelight draw reminds me a bit of a chocolate mint girl scout cookie. There is a mint like note and chocolate which has me salivating. The foot of the cigar has a cedar note. I was enjoying the pre-light draw so much that I was worried I was taking all the flavors out of it. Once the cigar is lit a nice baseline of wood notes with a hint of dark chocolate and raspberry. In the second third of the cigar the raspberry note really begins to shine with a continued wood and a nice complement of spice. The last third of the cigar some of that mint I picked up on the cold draw makes an appearance with some dark chocolate and an abundance of spice through the nose.

Santos de Miami First Third

Smoking Characteristics: The cigar burns a bit lopsided but despite the desire to correct it, it never got to far out of hand. The ash held on well for about a quarter of the cigar at time with only the slightest bit of flake. The draw was ideal and it burned cool all the way down to the nub. The one thing that really stood out was the aroma of the cigar which was intoxicating. While I couldn’t put my finger on the nose, it was so enjoyable and added to the overall experience.

Santos de Miami Second Third

Conclusion: Jameson has had two cigars which I smoked that I really enjoyed. The first being the Declaration and the second was this one, the Santos de Miami. Boutique cigars really deserve a shot in many humidors both personal and retail. If you haven’t had the chance to smoke the Santos de Miami I recommend it highly.

Santos de Miami Last Third

Rating: 90
Price: $8.00

The Wolfman will be a 7 1/2 x 52 Box-pressed torpedo, with a Sumatra wrapper grown in Ecuador. The band will be brown with red writing which Pete describes as “Ugly”. Production is set to be at the same number as last year, 666 numbered dress boxes and 1300 plain boxes.

I also forgot if Pete posted this, tweeted this or if I got it from someone else but the cigar is allegedly based on the Gran Cojonu.

According to Quesada, “It’s a totally different blend. The wrapper is a sun-grown Jalapa wrapper, and we have blended for the wrapper. It’s a totally different taste. I would consider them a little stronger and a totally different direction in the taste.” Which leads me to ask why they are releasing them under Casa Magna and not a new limited edition line. Suffice to say there is a few aspects of the cigar industry I just don’t get. I mean if you aren’t a fan of the line you might not try these. If you are a fan of the line, you might not like that they are different.

Cigar: Casa Magna Domus Magnus
Size: 5.75 x 52
Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Number Smoked: 2

Casa Magna Domus Magnus

Appearance and Construction: Not to sound like a broken record but I am a fan of box pressed cigars, so when I got these in the mail it is safe to say I was all giddy about smoking them. The pig-tail cap isn’t a tradition looking one but it does have a nice look about it. The color of the wrapper reminds me of figs with some ultra fine veins present. Under the fingers the stick has a silk like smoothness and is loaded with oils. There are no soft spots and under close inspection the dimensions of the cigar feel like and look like a cube rather than a traditional box press. The band has a different array of colors that are mustard yellow, red, gold and black and a foot band is present as well, letting us know it is a limitada.

Casa Magna Domus Magnus Foot

Flavors & Notes: The foot of the cigar has a nice nose of wood notes and a tartness about is as well that is subtle and not overpowering. The cold draw of the cigar serves up a nice amount of wood and a subtle nuttiness that suggests this would pair well with a nice scotch such as Auchentoshan, which is a current favorite of mine. Once the cigar is lit there is an abundance of notes that had me literally salivating. Once the cigar is lit, the notes pop off the cigar teasing you without over powering. The first third has some chocolate and plum notes with a touch of wood and leather. The second third of the cigar changes some as the plum notes move to the background becoming slightly floral and are joined by some stronger wood notes and a some nuts. The final third some sweetness remains with some leather notes. I really don’t want this cigar to end as the tobacco slowly becomes ash. The experience was that good.

First Third, Casa Magna Domus Magnus

Smoking Characteristics: The salt and pepper ash of the Domus Magnus Limitada holds well, but as usual I lost the ash just prior to some pictures. It managed to fall on its own in one-quarter increments of the cigar. The draw was ideal with a nice volume of smoke that had a spellbinding aroma. The burn of the stick was razor-sharp and it never went out, nor did it need a touch up.

Second Third, Casa Magna Domus Magnus

Conclusion: The cigar as stated by Manuel Quesada is different than other Casa Magna blends and I feel it would have been better suited to come out under a different brand. It seems the company has begun to make its mark on the cigar world which every cigar coming out feeling like it has topped the one prior. The Domus Magnus is simply put an incredible cigar worthy of smoking out of the box or aging. I plan to buy a box for my humidor as soon as they are officially released and is easily in contention for the best cigar of the year that I have smoked so far.

The End, Casa Magna Domus Magnus

Rating: 94
Price: $8.95

The Tattoo is slated to be released yearly in a new size each and every time. The first release limited to 5100 cigars and  is a box pressed lancero.

Cigar: Tatuaje Tattoo
Size: 7 x 38
Wrapper: Habano Rosado Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Cigars Smoked For Review: 4

Tatuaje Tattoo

Appearance and Construction: First off I love the bands on the Tatuaje Exclusive Series. With the word(s) in the middle and the side colors of red, white and blue it reminds me of championship belt from the Rocky movies. This box pressed beauty is glistening with oils and the wrapper only has the finest of veins. In the hand it almost has a velvet like feel between the fingers. There are no soft spots present and the cigar has a nice weight to it although slightly unbalanced, feeling heavier at the cap.

Foot of the Tatuaje Tattoo

Flavor & Notes: Some cigar review sites always refer to the nose of the wrapper and I almost never get any. This cigar is different thought as I get a distinct mocha off the wrapper that is intensified at the foot. The cold draw reveals a slight chocolate note and leather. As we smoke the first third there are notes of mocha that grab your attention with a touch of leather and the rare wisp of cinnamon. Retro-haling the cigar really makes the notes pop and is a must for this particular cigar. As we smoke the second third, notes of earth begin to develop with some faint cinnamon notes in the background and mocha is noticeable on the finish. The final third the spice picks up some especially through the nose. The finish is leather with a subtle sweetness

Smoking the first third of the Tatuaje Tattoo

Smoking Characteristics: As with most lancero smokes the ash does not hold long at all but thankfully the dark color ash is flake free. As you smoke the cigar it reveals a nice thin carbon line with a straight burn until I got til the final third where it became slightly jagged. The draw was slightly loose and it produced a nice amount of smoke for the size.

Smoking the second third of the Tatuaje Tattoo

Conclusion: While the Tattoo was enjoyable I think if given the choice I much rather smoke a Tatuaje Especiales as I found the experience to be richer. Which is a shame because I love lancero cigars and box pressed cigars. However for me this fell just a little bit short of expectations.

The final third of the Tatuaje Tattoo

Rating: 88
Price: $10.00

According to the Casa Fernandez website this cigar is blended by Cuban Masters utilizing tobacco from the valleys of Condega, Jalapa and Esteli in Nicaragua from Cuban seed tobacco. The box pressed cigar is available in 3 sizes, Robusto (5 x 52); Toro (6 x 54); and a Torpedo (6.5 x 52).

Cigar: Casa Fernandez Arganorsa Leaf
Size: 5 x 52 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium

Casa Fernandez Arganorsa Leaf

Appearance and Construction: Ah box pressed cigars how I love thee. The Casa Fernandez Arganorsa Leaf has a gorgeous looking wrapper with some variations of color on it and ample amount of oils. The cigar is rolled to perfection and even in the box pressed format finding a “seam” is near impossible. There are some soft spots near the foot but they aren’t too large and shouldn’t be an issue on the burn. There is a dual band system used here with the classic looking Casa Fernandez logo and a secondary one stating Arganorsa Leaf in gold lettering on a black background.

Flavor & Notes: Before I clipped the cap the foot of the cigar was almost meaty to the nose, with some light notes of cocoa and spices thrown in for good measure. After I clipped the cigar the cold draw served up dry cocoa and earth. Once the cigar is lit I was thankful for having a bottle of water with me as the cigar has a slightly drying effect as you smoke it. The initial notes were rich mocha that slowly gave way to cedar, coffee and a touch of spice. The second third of the cigar develops an incredibly well defined caramel note especially through the retro-hale and is joined by a continued coffee and wood note. The final third was a smorgasbord of all things from the past two thirds. There was mocha, wood, coffee and some sweet caramel all wrapped around a spicy finish.

Smoking Characteristics: I picked up 3 of these for the review and the first one I had a hard time keeping lit as it kept tunneling on me as I smoked it right out of the stores humidor. The other 2 I let sit in my box at home for a few days and they burned perfectly with a nice burn line and a sold dark ash. The cigar produced a decent amount of smoke and it had a wonderful aroma especially in the second third when it matched the aroma notes.

Conclusion: While I am not sure if this will make my Top 15 list of 2010 it is definitely worthy of consideration and it was absolutely delicious and worth the price.

Rating: 91
Price: $7.50

Disclaimer: As always the typo’s and spelling mistakes have been left in this review for your amusement.

At IPCPR we got to talk a little bit during a quick lull and he gifted me with a 4/2g box press. These cigars are currently not available to retailers but they might be available at Dion’s shop if you are ever in Reno, NV. I am basing this cigar on one stick so take it for what is worth. Maybe one day these will be available everywhere and I will revisit the review with multiple sticks under my belt.

Cigar: illusione 4/2g
Size: 7.5 x 49 (Box Press)
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Twitter: @vudu9
Facebook: illusione cigars
Official Site: http://www.illusionecigars.com/

illusione 4/2g box press

Appearance and Construction: I said it before and I will say it again, box press oh how I love thee! The illusione 4/2g box press looks incredible with only some thin veins on a wrapper that looks very well aged. There is a slight sheen present and a really nice weight to the cigar. The cap of the cigar is one of the best I have seen and the box press maintains the simple classic illusione band.

Flavor & Notes: The foot of the cigar has a nice sweetness  to the nose while the draw offered up notes of earth with a sweetness present as well. Once lit I settled back and relaxed to enjoy the experience that started off with some spice with dominant notes of wood and nuts. The second third of the cigar remained nutty but developed notes of warm bread, fresh out of the oven. The final third of the smoke had some leather notes but the cigar has a nice spicy wood like finish.

Smoking Characteristics: A slow burning box press that lasted me 2.5 hours. The cigar burned evenly though out with a nice tight firm ash. The draw started off tough on the pre-light but once I lit the cigar it opened right up.

Conclusion: A brief review as I only had one cigar to smoke, and based on the one stick this is something I would like to see released. Tasty from start to finish I truly enjoyed every aspect about the the illusione 4/2g

Rating: Want More!
Price: Not Yet Available

New Havana Cigars has the 888 in a Box Press, supplies are limited!