Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Tuxtla Prelight
Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje was founded in 2003. Jose “Pepin” Garcia, a legendary Cuban cigar blender, and roller, was introduced to Johnson as someone who could help him produce his own cigars. Johnson showed Garcia a Cuban cigar that he was very fond of, and Garcia was able to roll a cigar nearly identical flavor profile. Pete Johnson immediately started his business, and began negotiations to get the Tatuaje brand started. The name Tatuaje comes from Pete Johnson’s nickname “Tattoo Pete”. Tatuaje has been an integral part of the boutique cigar industry since it’s inception, and has a stellar reputation amongst aficionados.
The 10th Anniversary was originally released in 2013 with an Ecuadorian Habano Wrapper. The Tuxtla version with released in 2023 as part of the brand’s 20th anniversary with a Mexican San Andres wrapper replacing the Ecuadorian Habano. The rest of the blend remains the same with both Nicaraguan binder, and filler leaves. This cigar is rolled in Miami at the My Father factory, and is a limited release of 2,500 boxes of 20 cigars. This specific example has an exceptionally toothy wrapper. After a straight cut, the cigar delivered a nearly perfect draw. There are notes of green apple, and earth on the cold draw.
Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Tuxtla First Third
Right off the bat the smoke texture, and output are fantastic. I’m picking up on notes of fresh bread, cocoa and toasted almond on the palate. The retrohale is showing malted milk, cedar, and black pepper. As the cigar settles in I’m picking up on some bright coffee notes. The profile has a strong backbone of earthy sweetness with the bright coffee, and black pepper sprinkled in to keep things interesting. The ash is incredibly toothy, the smoke texture is silky, and the cigar burning perfectly.
Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Tuxtla Second Third
The sweet toasted almond notes are quickly picking up. The palate is now sweet toasted almonds, fresh bread, cocoa and some cedar. The retro is still malted milk, cream, espresso, and a touch of black pepper. The blend is bold and sweet, but perfectly balanced. The finish is very long as well. Smoke output, texture, and construction continue to be great.
Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Tuxtla Final Third
Getting past the secondary band this cigar is still going strong. Tones on the palate are cedar, cereal and a bit of molasses. The retro is a lot of sweet toasted almonds, some dark honey, and a tickle of the black pepper. Smoke texture is chewey, and the finish is very long. Construction and still as good as it gets. Past the band the sweetness of the almonds is falling off. The profile is leaning heavily into the cereal as the main tone. I put this one down with about an inch left.
Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Tuxtla Conclusions
Pete Johnson is great at making blends that are straight down the pipe. There’s no fancy tasting notes, or dramatic transitions, but you get a near perfectly balanced profile, and a very well rolled cigar. The Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Tuxtla is one of those blends that started off great, and just stayed great. The toasted almond note was flat out delicious, the pepper never overstepped its boundaries, and I was really into that malted milk and cereal tone throughout the cigar. This is just another masterful expression from Pete Johnson, and the Garcia Family. As it is a limited release, I’d try them while you still can!
