The Tatuaje Cojonu line is a limited release cigar that is made only once every three years and only in one size. This is the third release of this line, which includes the Gran Cojonu (2000), the Cohonu 2003, and the current 2006 Cojonu, a 5 1/2 x 52 Torpedo.

I pluck the box of cigars out of my humidor, open it up and shove my nose down inside for a whiff. The cigars are exuding a fine aroma at this time. Wet hay and chicken coop predominates, which is an unforgettable, and in my opinion, wonderful match. The last time I reviewed this cigar, it was still giving off some ammonia smells, indicating that it was still fermenting slightly. Now it seems devoid of this feature and I am giddy with anticipation.

This is a beautiful cigar. It’s dark, it’s oily, it leaps tall buildings in a single bound.... okay, not that. But, it’s a stunner. I am a little concerned by the feel of the cigar: it seems a bit soft and more so at the head. We’ll see if this portends anything negative.

So, without further adieu, I clip and light this bad dog. I start with my Palió cutter and make a very small cut in the tapered head. I take a pre-light draw and it seems easy. So, I just my Blazer pocket torch to bring the cigar to life. Just before lighting it, I take one last look: man this cigar has a beautiful wrapper. It shows some slight mottling, but it is so smooth and oily and the vein structure so delicate that I simply sit and marvel. Okay, enough marveling, time to light up.

Just like my last two reviews, this cigar launches quickly out of the shoot exhibiting a distinctive Tatuaje flavor: wood, spice and a subtle sweetness, as well. It is medium in body at the outset and decidedly chewy. The burn line was a bit blistered over the first inch and the ash presented as a medium gray.

It didn’t take long for this cigar to amp up to medium-full body and flavor. There’s a sweetness to this tobacco that tempers the fullness of the body with a pleasant flavor. After tapping off the ash at just over the inch mark, I note a medium-sized tunnel just off center that causes the burn line to stray.

The burn straightened out after the halfway mark and I was treated to more flavors of wood and roasted nuts. This cigar has mellowed a bit, which gives me greater hope for a more balanced smoke in the future. I will be giving this smoke its final review in another 6 months.

I recommend this cigar to those with experienced palates. This is a hum-dinger that deserves to be matched with a full stomach and a strong libation.

~Doc