Cigar Info
Pete Johnson and Tatuaje Cigars announced a new line extension for the 2022 PCA Convention & Trade Show: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue. This entirely new blend is an offshoot of the original Tatuaje Havana VI line that has been around since the mid-2000's. It has a new secondary blue and white band below the standard red Havana VI band.
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.
The original Havana VI was one of Tatauje's first lines; it used an Ecuadorian wrapper, Nicaraguan double binder and Nicaraguan filler. It was the first Tatuaje made in Nicaragua, not Miami. In 2007 Tatuaje released the Havana VI Verocú, two regional line extensions of the Havana VI line. Shortly after, it became a regular production cigar for the company with some new sizes being added.
Finally, in 2022, Pete Johnson created the “Blue” extension of the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú. The new line was originally going to use an Ecuadorian Habano claro wrapper, but the final blend now uses a Nicaraguan corojo 99 rosado wrapper. The blend is said to have take 4 years to perfect. The wrapper used on the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue is the same as the wrapper used on the Tatuaje Escasos Collection.
Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue comes in two sizes: No.1 (6 1/4 x 52) $12.00 and No.2 (5 1/2 x 54) $12.00. Johnson left the possibility open to adding new sizes in the future that would be similar to the rest of the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú line. Both sizes come in boxes of 20 ($240) or 50 ($600).
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Rosado
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Blender: Pete Johnson
Number of reviewers: 4 – Mickey T. (irratebass) Alan (Eulogy) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $12.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: August 2022
Contributed by: Blind Man's Puff
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 95
“Nice looking fat robusto. Smooth to the touch with very minimum visible seams and veins. Seems to be packed tightly, but gives a little on the foot when pinched.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Aroma: 91
“Chocolate, graham cracker, and barnyard on the body. Cinnamon and walnuts on the foot.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
First Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“First thing I notice after lighting the cigar is the lovely warmth of cinnamon that leaves a tickle on the tip of my tongue. What's interesting about this is what happens next. A strong bread note comes into play, heavy on the yeast, with a touch of butter. If you've ever been to Texas Roadhouse and filled up on those awesome rolls, you know what I'm talking about here. Yeast rolls with a sweet cinnamon butter that is just divine. I love me a good dinner rolls and these are no exception.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“The draw is a little tight slightly choking the smoke output. There is a nice oily mouth feel even with the thin smoke. I'm mostly getting a rich tobacco and mineral profile with a dash of white pepper on the finish.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The draw is still very snug. I'm surprised at the depths of flavors that I am getting even with the thin smoke output. Still a heavy mineral and rich tobacco profile with red pepper and black coffee getting thrown in occasionally.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Into the middle portion the baking spices have faded and there is a nougat note that has joined the creaminess of the initial puffs. Through the nose the smoke has mellowed into a white pepper and is welcoming retro on every puff.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Final Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“A bit of fruit comes into play that isn't overly cloying along with baking spices which make for an odd combination like that of figgy pudding. This is definitely something way out there and not a profile for everyone.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“The final portion of this cigar has developed a deeper sweetness and has become far more oily, allowing the creamy finish to last long into the next puff. Through my nose the smoke has lost almost all pepper and is serving to enhance the creaminess of the flavor profile. I really couldn't be happier with the closing notes of this sample.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“Far too snug from beginning to end. It made the experience hot and slightly bitter.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Burn: 93
“The draw made it burn very wonky at times. It did require a few touches ups but it never went out.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 92
“After clipping the cap with my v-cut, the remaining tobacco on the cap falls right off. Apparently, it was not secured very well. This becomes a problem for me because the wrapper really wants to come undone without that cap holding it in place.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 93
“As soon as I lit up it started to tunnel and wouldn't stop. I tried to baby it, but it was no use.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“The draw really held the experience back for me. It burned hot at times causing a sour and slightly bitter note. The rich tobacco and mineral were nice but just couldn't overcome the construction problems. I would definitely want to give this another try to see if this was a fluke.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“From the mouth-watering dinner rolls to the unique ending, this cigar was all over the place. It kept me engaged the entire time, waiting to see what came next. Add in the fact that it wasn't overly light or heavy-bodied, it hit just right for me. I was pleasantly surprised with the entire experience and it is one that I could see myself picking up a fiver to have again.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“I'll start by saying this cigar was a surprise for me in the best possible way. The aroma promised me a full and powerful flavor profile, yet instead, I was gifted a creamy, sweet, highly enjoyable milder cigar that triggered all of my enjoyment senses. I chose to smoke this cigar at the end of my day, but I sorely wish I would have started the day with this instead. I truly can't think of a better cigar to pair with a cup of coffee, or better yet, an Irish coffee, to start my day and prepare me for the great things to come. I can gladly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a premium cigar, and look forward to purchasing a box on the reveal.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 100
Reviewer | Appear. | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall Experience |
Mickey T. | 95 | 88 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
Alan | 95 | 95 | 93 | 92 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 92 | 90 |
Doug S. | 90 | 85 | 93 | 88 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 85 | 90 |
Jason H. | 95 | 95 | 95 | 92 | 95 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 97 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.