Background
The Tatuaje HCS is an exclusive blend made in the Garcia factory for the Holts Cigar Company. Three sizes are available. These are the Robusto Larga (5.25 x 50), Toro Grande (5.625 x 54), and Torpedo Cubano (6.125 x 52). Recently, the Cigar Coop referenced the following post in their assessment of this blend. In the post, Pete Johnson states this release was based on the Verocu bend and only 500 boxes of each size were made in 2010. Currently, Holts still appears to have some available. For this review, I am smoking the Robusto Larga gifted to me by friend and loyal podcast listener, Big Al. Thanks Al! After several months of sitting in the bottom of my humidor, I had almost completely forgotten about this stick, until I saw William’s recent review.
Let’s burn this baby!
Stogie Stats
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Hybrid Ecuadorian Habano Rosado Criollo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Vitola: Robusto Larga
Size: 5.25 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: $7.95 a single or $142.95 a box (20 ct.)
Review
The Tatuaje HCS Robusto Larga has a luscious milk chocolate brown wrapper with a fair amount of tooth. The pre-light aroma has that familiar rich mocha scent that many Tatuaje’s have. It is the type of aroma that makes your mouth water. The pre-light draw is full of earthy tobacco. The cigar is uniformly firm with no soft spots and it is adorned with a gold embossed band that has the new Tatuaje logo. The band is simple but attractive.
The cigar begins with a moderate amount of pepper and quickly transitions into a balanced mix of leather, wood, and cinnamon. There is a hint of mocha that makes very brief appearances but doesn’t quite come to the forefront. The finish is creamy and medium in length. Thus far, the strength is a solid medium. The burn is a little wavy but the draw is good. By the end of the first third I have noticed that retro haling the smoke seems to bring the flavors out more.
The second third begins with the ash falling for the first time. The flavor profile continues as it did in the first third with the exception of the mocha which I am no longer picking up. The burn and draw remain good. The strength remains the same.
The last third starts with a quick touch up with my torch lighter due to the cigar almost going out. Once re-lit, the stick begins pouring smoke. There is a lot of cedar with a earthy base now and the finish is noticeably longer. I grab another glass of water. The cedar and spice is strong when passed through the sinus’ but not unenjoyably. The strength is more on the higher medium side now. The draw and burn remain unchanged until I nub the HCS down to about the one inch mark.
Conclusion
The Tatuaje HCS Robusto Larga was an enjoyable smoke that offers some great balanced flavor and solid construction. I expected a bit more complexity but enjoyed the smoke all the same. In conclusion, I am giving it a Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Fiver”. It is worth a visit but I cannot see myself reaching for this cigar on a regular basis. For the price point there are many other Pete Johnson sticks i enjoy more. Although, I recommend you check this cigar out and make your own assessment.
Stogie Geeks Audio
January 23, 2012
Review: Tatuaje HCS Robusto Larga
Tim Mugherini 3- The Fiver Reviews, Stogies 0 Comments
Background
The Tatuaje HCS is an exclusive blend made in the Garcia factory for the Holts Cigar Company. Three sizes are available. These are the Robusto Larga (5.25 x 50), Toro Grande (5.625 x 54), and Torpedo Cubano (6.125 x 52). Recently, the Cigar Coop referenced the following post in their assessment of this blend. In the post, Pete Johnson states this release was based on the Verocu bend and only 500 boxes of each size were made in 2010. Currently, Holts still appears to have some available. For this review, I am smoking the Robusto Larga gifted to me by friend and loyal podcast listener, Big Al. Thanks Al! After several months of sitting in the bottom of my humidor, I had almost completely forgotten about this stick, until I saw William’s recent review.
Let’s burn this baby!
Stogie Stats
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Hybrid Ecuadorian Habano Rosado Criollo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Vitola: Robusto Larga
Size: 5.25 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: $7.95 a single or $142.95 a box (20 ct.)
Review
The Tatuaje HCS Robusto Larga has a luscious milk chocolate brown wrapper with a fair amount of tooth. The pre-light aroma has that familiar rich mocha scent that many Tatuaje’s have. It is the type of aroma that makes your mouth water. The pre-light draw is full of earthy tobacco. The cigar is uniformly firm with no soft spots and it is adorned with a gold embossed band that has the new Tatuaje logo. The band is simple but attractive.
The cigar begins with a moderate amount of pepper and quickly transitions into a balanced mix of leather, wood, and cinnamon. There is a hint of mocha that makes very brief appearances but doesn’t quite come to the forefront. The finish is creamy and medium in length. Thus far, the strength is a solid medium. The burn is a little wavy but the draw is good. By the end of the first third I have noticed that retro haling the smoke seems to bring the flavors out more.
The second third begins with the ash falling for the first time. The flavor profile continues as it did in the first third with the exception of the mocha which I am no longer picking up. The burn and draw remain good. The strength remains the same.
The last third starts with a quick touch up with my torch lighter due to the cigar almost going out. Once re-lit, the stick begins pouring smoke. There is a lot of cedar with a earthy base now and the finish is noticeably longer. I grab another glass of water. The cedar and spice is strong when passed through the sinus’ but not unenjoyably. The strength is more on the higher medium side now. The draw and burn remain unchanged until I nub the HCS down to about the one inch mark.
Conclusion
The Tatuaje HCS Robusto Larga was an enjoyable smoke that offers some great balanced flavor and solid construction. I expected a bit more complexity but enjoyed the smoke all the same. In conclusion, I am giving it a Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Fiver”. It is worth a visit but I cannot see myself reaching for this cigar on a regular basis. For the price point there are many other Pete Johnson sticks i enjoy more. Although, I recommend you check this cigar out and make your own assessment.
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