Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero Prelight
Industry darling, Pete Johnson, founded Tatuaje in 2003. Johnson met the legendary Cuban blender, Don “Pepin” Garcia, and their partnership began. Johnson showed Garcia a Cuban cigar that he was very fond of, and Garcia was able to roll a cigar with a nearly identical flavor profile. Pete Johnson immediately started his business and began negotiations to launch the Tatuaje brand. The name Tatuaje comes from Pete Johnson’s nickname “Tattoo Pete”. Tatuaje has been an integral part of the boutique cigar industry since its inception, and has a stellar reputation in the cigar community.
Tatuaje released the original El Triunfador line in 2008 as a limited release. In 2009, Johnson released the cigar we now know as the El Triunfador Lancero. It was initially offered in only one vitola, the El Laguito No. 1 (7 1/2 x 38), with a Robusto (5 x 50) added to the lineup later. The blend details are a USA Grown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, over binder and filler leaves grown in Nicaragua. Don “Pepin” Garcia’s My Father Cigars S.A. handles the construction of the El Triunfador.
The wrapper is a thick and rustic dark brown with some visible tooth. The El Triunfador Lancero is finished with a triple cap and a neatly tied pigtail. The aromas coming off the foot and wrapper are of rich earth. A cut reveals a snug draw with notes of earth and grass.
Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero First Third
The smoke output opens up at medium. I’m getting whole wheat bread, campfire wood, and rich earth on the palate. The retrohale is showing cocoa nibs, espresso, and some cinnamon. The strength of flavor is at medium plus. The finish is strong with notes of cinnamon and espresso. The overall profile is an exceptional balance of sweet, toasty, and earthy flavors. The ash is tight, and the burn line is excellent, but the draw is just a touch too snug – Massaging the area right below the cap is opening it up a bit, though.
Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero Second Third
The notes on the palate are whole wheat bread, cedar, and mineral-rich earth. I’m picking up cocoa powder, espresso, fruity cocoa nibs, and some baking spices on the retrohale. The strength of flavor remains medium plus. Smoke output also remains medium. The finish is long with notes of cinnamon and earth. The overall profile has calmed down slightly; it’s less smoky, and the cinnamon is now a mix of baking spices. Some fruity tones are coming in on the retrohale that remind me of fresh cocoa nibs or dried cherries. The ash and burn remain excellent, and while the draw is not impacting the experience, it’s still a bit tight.
Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero Final Third
I’m seeing whole wheat bread, charred oak, hay, and minerality on the palate notes. The retrohale notes are dark chocolate, drip coffee, clove, and a touch of orange. The strength of flavor remains at medium plus. The smoke output also remains medium. The finish is medium with notes of clove and hay. The overall profile has reintroduced some of the smoky notes from the initial third, and that fruity cocoa nib note has shifted into something closer to an orange zest. The construction has been very consistent with an excellent ash, and burn line, but a snug draw. Past the band, the blend leaned into earth and cocoa powder. I put this one down with just above an inch left.
Tatuaje El Triunfador Lancero Conclusions
Smoking a Pete Johnson blend is almost always a treat. It’s like going to a local steakhouse and getting the ribeye. The blends are balanced and consistent, the flavors are intentional and well executed, and you get precisely what you paid for. The El Triunfador in lancero is a satiating Connecticut Broadleaf blend with chocolatey, smoky, and fruity flavors. And while the draw was a touch snug, I thoroughly enjoyed this blend. $11 for a lancero with this flavor profile is an excellent value. If you’re a fan of a classic lancero, or if you’re a Connecticut Broadleaf smoker, you should give the El Triunfador a try.
