cigar review
BRAND: Tatuaje
NAME: Reserva J21
TYPE: Robusto
LENGTH/RING GAUGE: 5 x 50
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan ligero
DATE OF PURCHASE: 2/26/2007
DATE OF RATING: 7/3/2007
TIME IN HUMIDOR: 4.2
LOOK AND FEEL: 90
FLAVOR AND AROMA: 91
BURN: 88
OVERALL SCORE: 89.6
STORAGE CONDITIONS: These cigars have been resting in their original box in one of my Aristocrat cabinet humidors. The cabinet keeps the stogies fresh at 68%RH. Recently we have been having a stretch of hot summer weather with temperatures up into the 100-degree range (Fahrenheit). Air conditioning can keep the heat down, but also tends to suck moisture out of the air.
For this reason, I choose active hygrostats over passive humidifiers. The hygrostat electronically measures the %RH and will automatically kick on the fan to move moist air throughout the cabinet when the humidity level is too low.
This is the first in a series of reviews on this batch of cigars.
For this reason, I choose active hygrostats over passive humidifiers. The hygrostat electronically measures the %RH and will automatically kick on the fan to move moist air throughout the cabinet when the humidity level is too low.
This is the first in a series of reviews on this batch of cigars.
TASTING NOTES: The Reserva J 21 cigar is a 5-inch x 50 ring Robusto with a box date of January 2007. This is one of the things I like about cigars made by Don Pepin Garcia: they most often will tell you when the cigars were boxed, which gives you a better idea of how old the tobacco is. I wish more manufacturers would follow suit.
The J 21, uses an aged ligero tobacco for the wrapper, which is a fairly uncommon practice (and unique to the Tatuaje Reserva line), which balances nicely with the blend for that particular cigar.
The J 21 has been called a "baby Cojonu" in terms of its blend, which promises full body and flavor in the best Cuban tradition.
According to Andrew Welch at vitolas.net, the "’J 21” has a number of meanings:
“First, the Johnson family was very into sports, and always wore jersey #21, with ‘Johnson’ on the back. Second, a close friend of Pete's had his beloved dog named Jos die at age 21, the same year this cigar debuted.”
Well, whatever the story, I am about the torch this cigar and launch this series of reviews. [Also, be sure to check out Episode 56 of the Stogie Fresh 5 podcast, in which I feature the Reserva J 21.]
After cutting and lighting this cigar, I am greeted with the most pleasant sweet spiciness, which is reminiscent of a medium-bodied Cuban smoke. However, that is short-lived that this cigar cranks up to medium-full body and flavor within the first half-inch. There are rich tobacco flavors that lay long and hard on the palate.
The burn is interrupted by a rather cavernous tunnel right in the middle of the filler tobacco, yet inexplicably, it did not affect the draw or burn that much. However, the ash was inconsistent enough that I tapped off regularly.
By the halfway mark this stogie had graduated to full body and full flavor. Besides tobacco flavor, I am met with loads of espresso bean and a very long finish.
This cigar has plenty of strength and I am glad that I started this series of reviews with over 4 months of age on this stick. I am eager to know how this cigar will change over time. By the time I reach my fourth review, this cigar should have well over a year and a half of age in my humidor.
This stick has plenty of horsepower and I recommend it for those with a hankering for full-bodied sticks. Be sure to have something to eat before smoking this rocket. Though not especially complex, it is a full-flavored warrior that I have really enjoyed.
~Doc
The J 21, uses an aged ligero tobacco for the wrapper, which is a fairly uncommon practice (and unique to the Tatuaje Reserva line), which balances nicely with the blend for that particular cigar.
The J 21 has been called a "baby Cojonu" in terms of its blend, which promises full body and flavor in the best Cuban tradition.
According to Andrew Welch at vitolas.net, the "’J 21” has a number of meanings:
“First, the Johnson family was very into sports, and always wore jersey #21, with ‘Johnson’ on the back. Second, a close friend of Pete's had his beloved dog named Jos die at age 21, the same year this cigar debuted.”
Well, whatever the story, I am about the torch this cigar and launch this series of reviews. [Also, be sure to check out Episode 56 of the Stogie Fresh 5 podcast, in which I feature the Reserva J 21.]
After cutting and lighting this cigar, I am greeted with the most pleasant sweet spiciness, which is reminiscent of a medium-bodied Cuban smoke. However, that is short-lived that this cigar cranks up to medium-full body and flavor within the first half-inch. There are rich tobacco flavors that lay long and hard on the palate.
The burn is interrupted by a rather cavernous tunnel right in the middle of the filler tobacco, yet inexplicably, it did not affect the draw or burn that much. However, the ash was inconsistent enough that I tapped off regularly.
By the halfway mark this stogie had graduated to full body and full flavor. Besides tobacco flavor, I am met with loads of espresso bean and a very long finish.
This cigar has plenty of strength and I am glad that I started this series of reviews with over 4 months of age on this stick. I am eager to know how this cigar will change over time. By the time I reach my fourth review, this cigar should have well over a year and a half of age in my humidor.
This stick has plenty of horsepower and I recommend it for those with a hankering for full-bodied sticks. Be sure to have something to eat before smoking this rocket. Though not especially complex, it is a full-flavored warrior that I have really enjoyed.
~Doc
Tatuaje: Reserva J 21
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
