The J21 is part of the Tatuaje Selección de Cazador Miami Reserva line. As the name implies it was rolled in Miami at Don Pepin’s Miami based My Father Cigar Company. Tatuaje brand owner Pete Johnson has long had a relationship with the Garcia family with the two growing in popularity almost side by side in the cigar industry. These days the partnership has become family with Pete Johnson and Janny Garcia of My Father Cigars being in a relationship. And Pete’s brother is behind the L’atelier brand also made at My Father Cigars.
Cigar Review: Tatuaje Selección de Cazador Miami Reserva J21
Size: Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Debut: 2003
Box Count: 25
Final Smoking Time: 1 hour 19 minutes.
The Cigar: The bands for the Tatuaje Brown Labels have changed recently now sporting a glossy brown background instead of a matte finish. Additionally, gold foil has been added to the striping and the fleur-de-lis on the side of the band. The Tatuaje J21 features an oily looking wrapper with some subtle tooth and thin vein structure.
The Taste: The cold draw serves up an abundance of cedar while the aroma from the foot has some cedar and a subtle brown sugar. Once we cut and light the J21 the cigar starts out with notes of figs, cedar, earth and a creamy finish. From the first light it grows in complexity. The retrohale serves up some popcorn notes along with a subtle pepper.
As we transition into the second third some leather begins to develop with notes of mocha and caramel. The retrohale has elements of toast, cedar and black pepper.
The final third sees notes cream create a base coat for continued mocha caramel and a touch of leather. The retrohale adds notes of cedar and black pepper while enhancing the notes of leather.
Conclusion: In the early 2000s Pete Johnson helped transition the cigar industry from being stuffy and old. With the creation of Tatuaje there was a cigar for the new generation of cigar smoker like myself. While I don’t have the stats to prove it, the perception for me is the cigar industry went from being 50+ year olds to those in their 30s. The best comparison for me is how the craft beer industry changed the demographics. It was during this time that the brand owner became known in the cigar industry and many achieved rock star status. It also changed the way cigars were marketed.
Today, Tatuaje is still my go to cigar. I’ve purchased more Tatuaje cigars than any other brand. The flavor, the appearance, the price point all appeal to me and the Selección de Cazador lines are amongst my favorite.
Score: 94
Price: $13.00 (Before any local or state taxes)
