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Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 1 Cigar Review
By Jesse | January 28, 2008 |
Brand: Tatuaje
Line: Havana Vi
Vitola: Verocu No. 1 6.25 x 52
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Full
Strength: Full
Box Price: $10/each or $450 (Box of 50)
Description: The Verocu No. 1 is “Exclusivo Lado Occidential” (Exclusive to the Western Side), a limited regional release exclusive to the West Coast. By sheer luck I stumbled across one at a reasonable price, and then I was hit with a little more luck and was told by I could have it free. Granted, I was buying over $100 in other cigars.
Like the rest of the Havana VI’s this is blended by Don Pepin Garcia and produced in his Nicraguan Factory. The cigar had a nice heft to it and a great prelight draw that left a bit of a tingle on the tongue. The only real noticeable difference aesthetically from the other Havana VI’s is the additional band on it saying “Verocu West Side”.
Right on the first light I picked up some dominant black pepper that made it hard to discern any other flavors, fortunately this mellowed out a bit as time went on. The cigar kept the spicy zing to it, but I was able to pick up some cedar in the first third. Around the halfway point I also picked up some nutty tones, maybe almond, and that pepper just kept hanging on. The final third brought up thoughts of fresh ground coffee and with an inch or so left I had to put it down, having that typical Don Pepin kick to it.
I was a bit worried as the cigar started off with a really lopsided burn, but it evened out after the first inch or so ending razor sharp.
Verdict: Pick them up if you can, but with some of the prices I’m seeing online don’t expect to find them cheap. I haven’t delved deeply into the Tatuajes yet so I can’t really compare it to the rest of the Havana VI’s. They call these cigars Medium Bodied on the website, probably is for a Pepin Blend, but overall I’d consider it full bodied.
Similar Cigars: Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label has that same spicy full bodied flavor. Not a close match, but if you enjoy one I think you’ll like the other.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Tags: Cigar Reviews, Don Pepin Garcia, Tatuaje Cigars
Topics: Cigar Reviews | 8 Comments »
8 Responses to “Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 1 Cigar Review”
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January 28th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Well done Jesse. Keep’em comin’!
January 28th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Very nice review Jesse. I have to try one of these!
January 28th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’m going to pick up an East Coast soon and compare it to this one.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I was eyeing these at the Party Source the other day but I had to hold off. Between the Pyrat Rum and a couple other cigars they are over my budget right now. Now I wish I would have put the other smokes back and got two of these. Nice review.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
One of the few Tatuajes I haven’t tried yet. But as luck would have it a friend out west just sent me one. That coupled with my recent discovery of locally available East coast versions, it won’t be long before I have smoke these too. Your excellent review has me anxious to put them to flame. I have had a good run of Tatuaje luck as of late. In addition to getting my hands on these regional releases, las weekend I can across a few of the mythical Tatuaje Black labels at a shop down in SC so I have added a handful of those to my collection as well.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Oh man I’m dying to try the Blacks!
August 8th, 2008 at 10:54 am
[...] 5/28/08 my daughter and I ventured up to Hollywood, CA to interview Pete Johnson, creator of the Tatuaje line of cigars. Located on the famous Sunset Strip, we joined Pete at his shop for an intriguing [...]
November 24th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
i don’t know about the east coast blend but this west coast is absolutely one of the best i’ve ever had. they’re usually a bit out of my price but when i’m in the mood for a treat…