TX Duo Review - Tatuaje TAA 2011

[Çnote]

@Capn_Jackson wanted a Tatuaje. Let me never stand in the way.

The 1st inch of this is solid leather, burnt cocoa, bitter coffee. Classic big aged Tatuaje flavors. I'm not particularly keen on it, but I kinda knew this would happen. I'm hoping for some wild transitions.

I'm covered in ash and this drops to mild cream and spice, much more my style, traces of mushroomy unami. It's very ashy and very delicious, but extremely nuanced & delicate. At about halfway I'm smacked in the face with what I can only describe as 'twang.' The needle skips, transition achieved.

Getting into the band, this picks up more bitter cocoa notes, the retrohale is spontaneous with smooth smoke showing cashew and nutmeg. 

This is pretty fabulous but I'm not doing a great job describing that, I'm a little distracted with paperwork projects but the cigar is helping immensely, a burnt offering.

Super rich unami, porkchops? It is what is, I guess. I don't think it's psychosomatic but maybe.

Fades into velvet, perfectly balanced. I'm questioning if I've had a better Tatuaje. 

95 showstopper

I had to beg for the privilege of buying these. I'd do it again.

Jackson, hopefully you pay more attention and take better notes, but this cigar certainly served it's purpose.

[Capn_Jackson]

Cold draw gives me ides of Nutella and marshmallow. Maybe a s’mores with Nutella instead of Hershey’s. Light-up puff is a wall of pepper in the nose, with some milk and Bavarian nut.

Pepper dies down extremely fast, and this opens up to a very honeyed-nuts type of envelope, filled with mild, bright coffee and caramel cream. Syrupy texture. So bold that I am surprised at its age, and smooth as olive oil. Flaky ash, though. A little problematic. Some BBQ smoke along for the ride.

Having some burn issues around the second third, but I think I’ve got a slight leak in the wrapper, or a pinhole somewhere. Touch-uos aren’t affecting the flavor negatively at all, brilliant flavor! I’m a little distracted at @Çnote’s great company, as I’m always learning more about the cigar/liquor/restaurant business when I hang with him, but it’s almost more that the fantastic cigar is distracting me from the company. Every so often, I just stop and think “Wow, what a damn good smoke.”

After the midpoint, the nutty milk from opening comes back. I’m having trouble noting anything specific, but loving this stick! Lots of flavor notes wandering around, escaping almost before I can put my finger on them. Dusty baker’s cocoa, some barnyard aromas, candied bacon, and marshmallow cream stand out.

The last third explodes with just-burnt agave, some rye or pumpernickel at the bottom, and a bright coconut milk on the finish.

Getting hot at the label, but that’s got to be from smoking it too fast. Can’t help it, this thing is just that good.

I think this is the best experience I’ve ever had with a Tatuaje, and that’s saying something.

[Çnote]

10 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

I think this is the best experience I’ve ever had with a Tatuaje, and that’s saying something.

Ok, we both said it.

10 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

Every so often, I just stop and think “Wow, what a damn good smoke.”

He said this a lot!

10 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

I’m always learning more about the cigar/liquor/restaurant business when I hang with him,

You are much too kind!😇