BRAND: Tatuaje           

NAME: Reserva J21           

TYPE: Robusto           

BOX DATE: JAN 2007           

LENGTH/RING GAUGE: 5 x 50           

WRAPPER: Nicaraguan ligero           

DATE OF PURCHASE: 2/26/2007           

DATE OF RATING: 2/16/2008           

TIME IN HUMIDOR (MONTHS): 11.8           

LOOK AND FEEL: 89           

FLAVOR AND AROMA: 93           

BURN: 93           

OVERALL SCORE: 92.2                       

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

 

This is the second in a series of reviews on this batch of cigars, which have now been resting in my humidor for nearly a year.

TASTING NOTES: The Reserva J 21 cigar is a 5-inch x 50 ring Robusto. The wrapper is rugged and rustic in appearance with a mottled look that also reveals some stitch-like veins in the course leaf. Otherwise, the cigar appeared to be well constructed with a nice supple feel.

Though I was luke-warm about the cigar in pre-light, the first few puffs changed my outlook rapidly. The cigar lurched out of the chute with some big, earthy, and sweet flavors, no doubt due to the influence of the Nicaraguan ligero wrapper. As the smoke progressed further, there were notes of aromatic cedar and a sharp spice that layered my tongue.

The burn and draw were ideal: a thin, black burn line gave way to a scalloped ash that held on until I coaxed it off in 1-inch chunks.

The second half brought flavors of earth, wood, coffee, and sweet tobacco. The full flavors left a leathery texture on my palate.

This cigar was way more balanced in this tasting than in my last attempt, nearly a year ago, and yet is still full in body and flavor. The extended aging has made a huge difference in this cigar, giving it not only more balance, but also lending it rich layers of complexity. With horsepower to spare, this cigar looks like it will have plenty in reserve for future successful aging.

~Doc