Pete's Johnson's new releases this past year were mostly done outside the scope of the IPCPR show, with the retailer convention being used to introduce line extensions. Normally, my reaction to line extensions is, more or less, "So what?" Not to say that line extensions are not valuable or, in some cases, badly needed, but they are usually not as attention-grabbing as brand new product lines. Let's face it...the blogging business is like most new and old media: something totally new is much sexier than something updated. In this case, though, I have to say I am really excited about a couple of the new line extensions that Tatuaje added in the small cigars area. My wife is always encouraging me to find new short smokes I like and can keep on hand for those unexpected times when a 15 to 30 minute smoke would be appropriate. I am happy to say, I have found quite a few worthy additions to that category lately and I get to present a couple of them to you today.
Petite Cazadores, 4" x 40 ring gauge / $4.55, Burns
First up is the Petite Cazadores, a dark, oily cigar that would easily fall into the category I like to call "short lancero" because the ring gauge is pretty much the same. This stick has the Tatuaje Brown Label and an oily touch and sheen. The foot has a rustic-looking fold-over of the wrapper leaf and the head has a nice triple-cap--well, I think it's triple anyway...this thing was so well-made it was difficult to see seams. I got some leather on the body and earth, coffee, and cocoa on the foot. After clipping the head, I got notes of cocoa and chili pepper in a nice, open cold draw.
Initial light-up provided a fairly full-bodied earthiness, accented by cocoa, cedar and spice notes. I got roasted nuts and black pepper on the retrohale. This stick really hits its stride right at the start and the first half was really a continuation of that earthiness along with a fair bit of semi-sweet dark chocolate and chili pepper spice.
The second half had a bit more dark coffee flavor as the blend seemed to have a touch more bitterness and darkness to it. This 25-minute smoke captured the essence of the Tat Cazadores line very well in a very short amount of time and is one I am definitely planning on keeping around.
Body: 8/10
Strength: 4/10
Complexity: 6/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
Petite Reserva, 4.5" x 32 ring gauge / $3.60, Burns
The Petite Reserva is almost too perfect-looking to be a handmade cigar. Thin and perfectly rolled, it has a nice oily look and feel. The wrapper has aromas of earth and chocolate and I got just a tiny whiff of manure on the small foot. When I reviewed this one, it was my third of these sticks (I've had one or two since) and they are remarkably consistent.
Lighting up brought to life flavors of dark roast coffee and cocoa powder with just a bit of sweetness imparted by what looks to be a Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. As the first half burned along, I got a bit of black pepper and roasted nuts on the retrohale as well as an increased earthiness on the palate.
The second half got spicier with a little more bitterness as well but with just enough sweetness remaining to make this a great little cigar. If this stick is hand-made, my hat is off to the rollers who do such a wonderful job on such a small stick. It ended up being a surprisingly long smoke at almost 30 minutes. I like these so much, I am currently contemplating buying a box of 150.
Body: 7/10
Strength: 5/10
Complexity: 7/10
AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
Agree, disagree or have your own thoughts you would like to share on this cigar? Please leave a comment and speak your mind!
I like the manner in which you review cigars. Quality writing, for one thing.
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