BRAND: Tatuaje

NAME: La Maravilla

TYPE: Punch-Punch

LENGTH/RING GAUGE: 5.6 x 46

WRAPPER: Veso Rosado Oscuro

DATE OF PURCHASE: 4/25/2006

DATE OF RATING: 16.6

TIME IN HUMIDOR (MONTHS): 16.6

LOOK AND FEEL: 88

FLAVOR AND AROMA: 92

BURN: 89

OVERALL SCORE: 90

AGING POTENTIAL SCORE: B = this cigar should age well over the first 5 years and is likely to develop further complexity and nuances.

URL: http://www.tatuajecigars.com/

STORAGE CONDITIONS: This is the fourth and final review in this series. These Punch-Punch-sized cigars have been resting in their original cabinet style box within my Aristocrat humidor.

The set-and-forget humidifer is set at 69%RH and the past few months have been warm, within a range of 70-78 degrees F.

TASTING NOTES: This cigar is a special vitola made exclusively for Leaf and Ale retailers. My review of these cigars started when they were quite young. Boxed in April of 2006, I purchased my box during that same month. Now, with over 16 months in my humidor, I am about to see how this stick really fares with age.

This unique bandless cigar of Punch-Punch size, has a folded over foot and sports a wrapper leaf that is rugged and leathery. Though aging has reduced some of its lustrous sheen, the nose is still quite pungent, with notes of sweet hay, spice and roasted nuts.

This is not a blemish-free wrapper, but one of character, with tiny veins amidst flecks of mottled brown.

I clipped the triple cap with a Palió cutter and then lit this little stogie with a Lotus torch lighter. As expected, I was met with a blast of spicy goodness. It’s encouraging that, after a year-and-a-half, this cigar is still full of flavor and spice. The body is much smoother, with a medium body at the outset.

As the smoke progressed, I noted a complexity with nuances of raw nuts, wood, and an underlying sweet spice. The flavors linger long on the palate and I was enjoying the smoke immensely.

The burn on this cigar was a bit ragged and the draw had some inconsistencies, but the flavors were enjoyable and neither the burn nor the draw diminished my enjoyment.

This cigar has aged admirably and I believe it will continue to deliver over the first 5 years, at least. One of the beauties of buying cigars by the box is to be able to enjoy them over the long haul and note their changes. This cigar has proven to be one that will age successfully and provide enjoyment for years.

The second half of the cigar was medium-full in body and flavor and was very balanced. This was a smoke that I had no trouble nubbing.

For you collectors out there, this is a great box of cigars to lay down in your humidor. They will age wonderfully and are a great smoke.

~Doc