Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero Review

Cigar: Tatuaje El Triunfador
Size: Lancero 7.5" x 38
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: MSRP ~$10.50

Initial Impression/Prelight
The Tatuaje El Triunfador had a deep, chocolate brown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a tiny bit of oily sheen, and a decent bit of toothiness. The wrapper was a little rough and had some pretty large veins with some puckering. I gave it a good squeeze and found two soft spots, one right in the middle and one an inch or two from the head. Speaking of, the cigar had a nicely fantail cap which didn't respond well to biting so I ended up clipping. The cold draw was a little on the tight side, and gave off a little mild fruitiness which is not at all what I was expecting. The aroma off the wrapper itself was mostly raisin and and light barnyard.

I can't remember exactly when I got this cigar, but I know it has been at least 2-3 months in the humi at 65%.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9uodgs5c.jpg

1st Third
The cigar started off with big, creamy cocoa flavor, along with some earthiness and lightly spicy black pepper. It gave off plenty of thick, white smoke, and the ash held for almost an inch each time. I got some orange peel on the retrohale too. The flavor was at least medium+, and probably medium strength so far.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3wqwzrla.jpg

2nd Third
The flavors actually mellowed a little in this section, dropping from almost full to more like medium. I still got some cream and cocoa, along with salt and meatiness. I never did pick up any citrus on the normal puffing, but did get it again on the retro. I've taken to doing a tiny French inhale a few times per cigar too, and I get it there as well. The burnline was great to this point, but the cigar suddenly went out right in the middle where I felt the soft spot earlier.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psmtdbwkvy.jpg

Final Third
The last section finished well, with an uptick in balanced black pepper, and more savory notes of meat, dark earth and cedar, along with a pleasantly bitter espresso flavor towards the end. The cigar did go out one more time at the second soft spot, but otherwise remained creamy and smooth all the way to the nub.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pslxjajef4.jpg

Overall Impression
I thought this was a very solid stick overall. It burned well, two relights notwithstanding, and put off a boatload of smoke for a lancero. The flavors were good and complex, and developed nicely over the course of the 1 hour and 45 minutes or so. Thinking back, I can't remember being disappointed yet by a Tatuaje and this one is no exception. I don't think I love it to the point I'd buy a box, but I'd easily nab a couple more if they come back in stock at the B&M.

I'd recommend a 5-er.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5fad0rvr.jpg

Nice review and remember when this cigar hit the market. Your review was Pretty much what I remembered and always loved smoking these. Need to look around a get a few after this review..