Tatuaje Avion 13 FF

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaraguan including Jalapa/Esteli Ligero
Avion 13 FF – Perfecto: 6 7/8 x 52
Price: $8.00 (New Havana Cigars)

While this was our featured cigar on Episode 63 of Stogie Geeks, I was not able to smoke the Avion 13 FF that night, so this week was my introduction.

The Avion 13 FF was intended to be the third release in this series which has produced a different box-pressed perfecto based on the Tatuaje Fausto blend. My results had been a little mixed with the Avion 11, although I thought the Avion 12 was better. It turns out that midway through the production of the Avion 13, Tatuaj founder Pete Johnson made a decision to switch the wrapper from Ecuadorian Habano to Connecticut Broadleaf. As a result, 7500 cigars were made available. Given the wrapper change and my mixed results with the Avion 11, I was skeptical.

My fears proved to be unwarranted. This proves to be the best Avion to date with the Habano wrapper (I have not smoked the Broadleaf version). I got notes of cocoa, earth, and pepper. This wasn’t the most complex Avion, but it was the most flavorful. The notes were full-bodied – and the strength was also in the full range. This one also had the best burn and draw of any of the Avions.

I’d always reach for the parejo-shaped Fausto before an Avion, but if I were picking at Avion, this would be the one I’d smoke.