This week we are closing 2011 with photographs and review of a cigar called appropriately for this occasion – Tatuaje TAA 2011. This specific project is a collaboration between Pete Johnson of Tatuaje and Tobacconists’ Association of America. For those who wonder what TAA is: The Tobacconists’ Association of America, Ltd. is a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. TAA’s mission is to provide an open forum of ideas, strategies, and problem solving between retail tobacconist and vendors to the trade. 1,500 boxes (20 cigars each) were made available only to TAA retailers that visited the TAA show in 2011.
Yearly cigar. Different blend and size every year. Blend is based on the regular brown label. – Pete Johnson
The Tatuaje TAA 2011 cigar had a well applied triple cap but the toothy, oily Broadleaf Connecticut wrapper was a bit rugged looking and had clearly visible seams & few noticeable veins. Bottom line, not as pleasing as Cojonu 2012 Broadleaf. Obviously the look had no impact on the performance nor flavor experience. Draw could have been a tiny bit tighter for my personal taste but overall, no complaints. In flavor department, insane amount of chocolate / sweetness / rich earthiness throughout the first half of the cigar. In between, easily identifiable woodiness and cedar. Not as much spice as others have experienced. Burn line wasn’t perfect but wasn’t bad either. The Tatuaje TAA 2011 went wavy couple times but required absolutely no touch-ups. Ash, although initially fairly tight, became awfully flaky after the middle mark.
Well, did I enjoy Tatuaje TAA 2011 ? You bet I did. Broadleaf Connecticut wrapper, box-pressed finish, closed foot = winning recipe in my cigar book. The cigar delivered great array of flavors, decent strength and excellent format. As for as I’m concerned, this is a box worthy purchase, if you can still find it. Looking forward to Tatuaje & TAA 2012 collaboration.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Broadleaf Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5 5/8″
Ring: 54
Construction > Good
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Absolutely
Recommend > Absolutely
Buy > Absolutely
Please consider the following post:
* Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado
* Tatuaje ‘M-80’
- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-
#1 by Caleb on December 31, 2011 - 2:01 pm
Absolutely one of the best cigars I’ve had. So glad I was able to get a box
#2 by admin on January 3, 2012 - 12:28 pm
Indeed ! Great cigar and box worthy, for sure.
#3 by TADD on December 31, 2011 - 5:25 pm
Nice stuff Jay, definitely a solid release. I love the broadleaf. Shaggy foot too… I am sold. Haven’t smoked enough of these to say it is in my top five, but it is in my need to put more time in column… really liked the few I have smoked. Good work, love the top down photo…
#4 by admin on January 3, 2012 - 12:29 pm
Thanks, Tadd !
Keep smoking them before they go bad :)
#5 by czerbe on January 2, 2012 - 12:14 pm
Jay as always great photos. Love the smoke pouring out of the nub at the end the blue color is vivid. Tats arn’t easy to come by locally so I’m sure this will be one I can’t get a hold of. Happy New Year Jay
#6 by admin on January 3, 2012 - 12:30 pm
Thanks, Corey !
Look them up online. Also, there are plenty retailers that sell them and will ship. Good luck !
#7 by James on January 3, 2012 - 4:55 pm
I got one of these at my B&M and enjoyed the heck out of it. I like the bokeh effect in that last shot.
#8 by Dalamscius on January 4, 2012 - 9:15 am
Great shots Jay, you got some really nice ones of the packaging and the top down for the caps is pretty neat!
I gotta say though, I did not enjoy these cigars very much. Maybe I had a bad batch but they never burned properly and the flavors were pretty bland. I’m a huge broadleaf fan but this one didn’t do it for me.
#9 by admin on January 4, 2012 - 9:23 am
Daniel,
Thanks for your honest feedback. Those were packed ‘wet’, like Tatuaje BPL. Perhaps putting them down for few months will improve the performance. I know folks have expressed similar feedback.