Tatuaje and aging...

[Kurtdesign1]

Over the last few weeks I've had quite the introduction into the world of Tatuaje cigars. I'll admit, I've smoked them for years but with a bit of apprehension knowing that it was a whole other subculture to the N/C cigar world that I was not a part of. Fast forward to February 2010 and I'm starting to delve into things a bit more.

As I do with anything I am getting serious about, I take the information approach and try to soak up as much as I can get my hands on. Doesn't matter whether its the written word, interviews or plain conversations, I try to devour it. What I've come across is quite a bit of information that I would love a hand in translating but even moreso in adding to.

Since Nicaragua, I have had conversations with 3 or 4 of my friends who are heavily engulfed in the 'World of Mr.Johnson' (ha!) and have received some differing POVs.
-One has commented that the Browns age brilliantly but the Reds peak shortly after shipment
-Tatuajes do not benefit from age whatsoever (I think if given a chance, this gent who is a regular poster here might change his stripes though)
-Tatuajes back in the day were using a higher quality tobacco that we have not seen in a few years. Those leaves used in some of the original cigars were of the Cuban tradition in that they started showing their true colors only after a few years.
-The Reds benefit greatly from 12 months box time by seeing the breakdown of the highly tannic, almost tangy fruit flavor that is a hallmark of the blend. The year serves these plant tannins well in that they start breaking down to reveal additional flavors within, albiet in a milder, more subtle version.

My question is not whether you agree with any of the opinions I've been told recently. Rather, what are your OWN opinions. Like anything that is attempting to be scientific, provide your reasoning and site examples whenever possible. I want to be educated and to broaden my experience through others.

Thanks boys. Its always good to know that I can count on you.

 

[Soundwave13]

My experience is that the Reds, Browns (and all the rest) need a minimum of 3 months rest if you're box is new. I don't honestly think either of the Tatuaje lines change dramatically with age - though I have had only limited experience with attempting to age either (they just don't last in my household). I've gone through a half box of OR cojonu 06 this year that were brilliant, but not dramatically different than one with 6 months on it.

The broadleaf maduro on the other hand changes dramatically with age. It's spicey, strong and even bitter when real young, but smooths out & becomes more chocolaty with some time. The Cabaiguan Maduro, El Triunfador and Franks are great examples, not to mention Jaime's Reserva that has 6 years on the wrapper.

Just a little input based on only my personal experience (not rumors or hearsay) - I don't know how much that helps. Either way - taste is subjective & I could completely change my perspective on this as my tastes continue to evolve.

 

[AlohaStyle]

I too would like to know aging recommendations of the different Tats. It's pretty obvious to people that aging a cigar usually can only help it, but that's not entirely true. Padron's from what I know are a cigar that doesn't need much aging as their tobacco is already aged enough.

I am looking forward to reading the educated replies in this thread (notice I didn't provide any of my own opinions!?! LOL), thanks for bringing it up.

Hopefully Pete can take a minute to give a few answers or his own insight into aging and/or other wisdom.

 

[whodeeni]

Great Points you brought up brotha! The way i see it, you learn something
new everyday!

 

[JxBr]

Great post!!! Some dude named Pete told me A long time ago (before his imense popularity) that his brown label stuff is a perfect candidate for long term aging. I have some of his early stuff 4-5 boxes that are almost halfway through my own long term test. I'll let ya know in five more years.

I'm intrigued by this statement the OP made:
-Tatuajes back in the day were using a higher quality tobacco that we have not seen in a few years. Those leaves used in some of the original cigars were of the Cuban tradition in that they started showing their true colors only after a few years.

I completely agree with the above statement, excluding the rare limited stuff, i.e. t110, cohete, etc. Some of that is really tough to beat. Even fresh.

Just seems the super high quality tobacco may be gone with Pepin making so damn many sticks now. An example of this is the Cabaiguan. I've smoked at least 40 boxes of them the first two years they came out and were an amazing mild-medium complex cigar. Now, not so much. They just don't have the complexity of the earlier releases. Unfortunatly I'm running low on the older ones. They were better than most cubans for my taste. Just such a great smoke.

Just my $.02

 

[sam a]

imho the old stuff is great and so is the new. and they age well but are also great young. i suppose i simply haven't had a tat that wasn't great. i think age any tatuaje if you want and you won't be disappointed, obviously i haven't seen how the recent stuff does with some time, but the company has a good track record... did i mention that i like tats?:smile:

 

[njstone]

There is only one right answer here: smoke 'em how YOU like 'em. You'll just have to do trial-and-error and see. Put up some ISO for aged ones, and buy some freshies and compare.

It's funny, but we had a long debate about this with Pete just last night! Eric and I were asking Pete why he doesn't age his cigars more before shipping them (as in our opinion most Tats improved greatly with age). Patrick was of the exact opposite opinion, saying that he likes them all immediately and to him they loose something with even just a few months of age. It depends what you like about a particular cigar. A T110 fresh might have had a great punch, but with age I'll bet you the flavors will be phenomenal though the power will diminish.

Pete laughed at this and say that was exactly why he ships them fresh--"let the guys who like them fresh smoke them now, and if you want to age them for months or years, awesome!" He said he has Tat products of all ages and likes to sample them and see how they change over time.

Pete said likes them both fresh and aged. He did say that after a certain period of time you want to put them in plastic bags inside the boxes lest they pick up too much cedar--but it seemed like this was in the 4 or more year range (I have no Tats that old).

For me, the Reds are great fresh and awesome with age. I have some Angeles and Victorias now with 18-months and they are entirely different cigars than the freshies. Honestly, it would be really fun to put a fresh Victorias and an aged one into the same bind test, have people smoke both, and see what they thought.

I just plain don't like the Noella until it has at least 6 months on it. And after a year, its in my Top 10 cigars. I've not had a fresh Unicos, but those with a bit of age are phenominal.

I didn't like the El Triunfador at all when it was fresh, but after a year now I LOVE this cigar (in that case, though, one must factor in that my tastes have changed in a year's time and I smoke mostly Nicaraguan cigars now).

Pete told us that the Black Tubos need age--he said at least a year. The Black robustos (all of them) are 2-years-old right now and are, imvho, really great. The Verocu Tubos, though, are very nice right now. But I think they'll be even better later, though I'm basing that on the aged West/East Side Verocu that I have now and love.

 

[BagfullofPings]

A guy named Pete told me to his cigars are designed to be smoked "right now". He said aging is great, but an aged cigar will not convey his original blend...what he wanted us to taste what he finalized a blend. This conversation was back in December 2008.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Thanks for sharing Nate! :thumbsup:

 

[Alwayslit]

This is some good info. I agree with his assessment on the black tubos.

 

[Jfire]

The few tats I've had here is my response. I won't touch a fresh red band. Very harsh tannin flavors to me. After s couple years the refined flavors come thru on this blend. The brown line is good to go rott. But a year or two on them can't be beat. The Noella is a great example of a great cigar made even better with time. My last part is about that broad named Connie. You could put her in a brand new dress and she's a stunner on a Wednesday night. Let her sit around for a year or two and that Broad is in a class of her own! That reminds me I need to go over to the trading room about another size of La Ricky(#3) from 6/08!
Justin

 

[terrantheman]

Great thread Craig... I've wondered this and have heard many mixed feelings, as you have also. I definitely know they lose there punch and from my experience that's why I've liked Tats. So knowing what the reward is with these would be really good information.

 

[Kurtdesign1]

Great posts above. I'd love to hear more.

 

[Robinsond]

Like everyone else said, it's completely up to you!!

 

[jayro75]

From what Pete says the Havana Cazadores should be aged at least 8 months in the foil before being smoked and I definitely agree with him. It takes that long for the flavors to blend. They continue getting better from there.

 

[axi]

It def. depends on your tastes. Whenever a new tat comes out, I buy several. Some to smoke now, some after one of two months in my humi, and then some go sit for 6-12+ months.
I love fresh tats, but some def. will smoke better with age. I'm crossing my fingers on the dracs I have stashed away for October

 

[JxBr]

It def. depends on your tastes. Whenever a new tat comes out, I buy several. Some to smoke now, some after one of two months in my humi, and then some go sit for 6-12+ months.
I love fresh tats, but some def. will smoke better with age. I'm crossing my fingers on the dracs I have stashed away for October

Something tells me that You're not alone there!!!

 

[Simoun]

I definitely like Tatuajes better with some age on them. A few months did wonders to the Havana VI Angeleses I've had.

 

[CWS]

Opinion and observation

-Tatuajes do not benefit from age whatsoever
False. From observation, I know that the brown label, (Which I like right off the truck), improves and becomes even more flavorful with aging. Case inpoint a two year old box of Tainos. Smoother, sweeter and just plain fabulous. 2nd Ex. Two boxes of Tatuaje Verocu East. After a year the first box shows an even better smoke than the fresh. Again, smoother with a more pronounced flavor, and sweetness.


-Tatuajes back in the day were using a higher quality tobacco that we have not seen in a few years. Those leaves used in some of the original cigars were of the Cuban tradition in that they started showing their true colors only after a few years.
Opinion - Maybe...it is hard to hold on to perfection. Like any good cuban cigar there will be good years and ok years. I think this is just a cycle.

-The Reds benefit greatly from 12 months box time by seeing the breakdown of the highly tannic, almost tangy fruit flavor that is a hallmark of the blend. The year serves these plant tannins well in that they start breaking down to reveal additional flavors within, albiet in a milder, more subtle version.
Observation - See above and the Tat Verocu. Aging of one year has improved them. I agree they are milder but not much. Always was a med cigar to me.

My question is not whether you agree with any of the opinions I've been told recently. Rather, what are your OWN opinions. Like anything that is attempting to be scientific, provide your reasoning and site examples whenever possible. I want to be educated and to broaden my experience through others.

Thanks boys. Its always good to know that I can count on you.

 

[n.olson]

Opinion and observation

-Tatuajes back in the day were using a higher quality tobacco that we have not seen in a few years. Those leaves used in some of the original cigars were of the Cuban tradition in that they started showing their true colors only after a few years.


-Opinion - Maybe...it is hard to hold on to perfection. Like any good cuban cigar there will be good years and ok years. I think this is just a cycle.

i have to disagree with this, since pete has gone on record that the quality and uniformity of all of his cigars has become better now that Pepin has his own tobacco to make cigars- instead of having to buy it from other suppliers.

as for the aging, i persoanlly enjoy the reds pretty fresh, but my truinfadors seem to just keep getting better. So for me, it's becoming a question on how long can i control myself as opposed to aging.