The original Tatuaje Mexican Experiment was released in 2012. The cigar was described as a concept to try blending a cigar with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper and see what happened. There were a total of five sizes released and each size was exclusive to either a retailer or a region of the country. They came in bundles of 25. Then, in 2019, Tatuaje decided to make a sequel of sorts to the cigar dubbed the ME II, the ME of course standing for Mexican Experiment. It does not go unnoticed that the name resembles the Me Too movement but seems otherwise unrelated. At the same time, the company re-released the original Mexican Experiment in the original bundles and original sizes.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
It is undisclosed what the difference is between the two blends as both use a Mexican San Andrés wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. The new blend is only released in 4 sizes and this allows Pete Johnson to give them a packing update, whereas the original Mexican Experiment is bound by substantial equivalence to stay the same. Also the re-released of the Mexican Experiment was limited to 1,000 bundles of 15 of each size, while the ME II is a regular production cigar. It is rolled like many other Tatuajes at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Nicaragua. All sizes of the ME II come in boxes of 15 and sell for $10. The sizes are: Robusto (5 x 54) – $10, Toro (5 3/4 x 50) – $10, Churchill (6 1/2 x 48) – $10, and Belicoso (5 x 52) – $10.
“Almost reminds me of chocolate brownie in color and texture of the wrapper. Edges are soft in a light box press, tight seams, and there’s a large well applied double cap. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 90
“Very strong aroma of sweet tobacco on the wrapper and maple syrup or brown sugar from the foot.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Baking spices, vanilla cream, faint pepper, cocoa, smooth draw, medium finish, great retrohale smooth with a bit of spice.” –Randy B. (randobush)
“A great start to this cigar. Lots of sweet leather earth a little black pepper some cream. Draw is a little tight. Cigar is medium in strength. A very unique interesting profile. Leather dwindles out which makes me sad. Some bread and dried fruit comes through grabbing my attention even more. All earth and most black pepper are pushed out by the dried fruit and bread.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The 2nd third of this cigar really takes off. The notes of pepper and spice are still present, but I’m beginning to pick up a nice cherry jam flavor. The draw is a little tight and begins to slow down the production of smoke. Other than that, this cigar is great.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“There’s a long cedar finish that’s very pleasant. I’m still getting a sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, slight earthiness, and mild level of pepper. The retrohale has a floral and red pepper flavor that really wakes up the experience.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Flavors have lost a little depth going into final third, but pick back up with some new editions. Espresso comes into play here, nice & needed transition. Still a nice medium finish that hangs on until the next puff. Unsweetened chocolate bark, espresso, baking spices, light cayenne.” –Randy B. (randobush)
“The final third of this cigar continues with lots of notes of pepper and spice. The retrohale is very spicy with a little hint of char on the back of the mouth. There was a tremendous uptick and strength and this thing is near full bodied towards the end. A real nice end and complexity.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 86
“I thought it was a little tight. Still an awesome cigar with that being said.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Burn: 94
“Razor sharp from the moment I lit it. I never needed to even think about reaching for my lighter.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 93
“Solid cigar. No stems, good firm roll on the box press. I found no flaws in the construction.” –Randy B. (randobush)
“I enjoyed the profile but I think if the draw was better this would have put it over the top for me. Still a great cigar with some minor profile changes but enough to keep engaged for the entire experience. I will definitely give this another shot to see if the draw was a one time issue. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Pleasant and satisfying cigar overall, No issues to speak of. Good flavors with nice transitions throughout. ” –Randy B. (randobush)
“This cigar was really really good. From the initial aromas and cold draw, to the nice burn and finished product, there was not much to not enjoy. The subtle notes of cherry jam that came in during the middle really gave this a complex profile. These are very good well-made cigars and I can only hope I have the opportunity to smoke another one.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“I was so pleased with this experience, it is a great cigar. Profile, room note so many great things about this cigar.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
"This cigar was really really good. From the initial aromas and cold draw, to the nice burn and finished product, there was not much to not enjoy. The subtle notes of cherry jam that came in during the middle really gave this a complex profile. These are very good well-made cigars and I can only hope I have the opportunity to smoke another one." -Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
