Manufacturer: Tatuaje
Brand: 2013 Black Label
Size: Corona Gorda 5 5/8 x 46
Cost: $8.00
Rest Time: 1 Month
Burn Time: 1:45

Prelight: The cigar has a firm even pack, but the cigar is quite light in weight. The wrapper is cocoa colored with a smooth, slick, but dry feel and has a closed foot. The prelight aroma is cedar and grass. I lop the cap with my Xikar Xi and off we go. Prelight draw is very loose with just a spicy tobacco flavor.


1st 3rd:

On first light I get creamy coffee, cocoa and wood. After the cigar settles down creamy coffee remains with toffee and caramel on the tongue a strong flavor of cherries sitting mid-palate and a touch of white pepper on the finish. This is a fast burner, most likely due to the open draw combined with me wanting to get at these great flavors more often.



2nd 3rd:

The ash hold on for well over an inch before dropping. The smoke on the draw is medium bodied and plentiful with no detectable strength. Entering the second third sees the addition of chocolate covered cherries with a faint vanilla flavor and a bold cedar and coffee on the finish.

Final 3rd:

The burn has slowed in the final third. The ash consistently held for over an inch and it was very clear when it was about to go. The smoke on the draw is unbelievable, I have to get out of the way of the mushroom cloud or be engulfed by it. The flavors shift again and now leather, chai tea and nuts are the predominate flavors with the cherry barely perceptible, but still there. The finish is a strong slightly harsh cedar with leather and paper bag flavors. There is now some mild strength coming in, but nothing uncomfortable.

Summary:

The burn on the Tat black was perfect needing no relights and one small touch up. The smoke was medium bodied throughout and the touch of strength in the final third came and went very quickly. The flavors in the first and second third were some of my favorites in a cigar and the smoke output was DE like. This is definitely one of my favorite cigars I've had this year and while doing the review I scored another 5-pack from the WTS section of Puff.