The Good Stuff:

News blew up the cigar wire when Pete Johnson announced he’d be working together with Altadis USA creating a modified Henry Clay blend called the “Tattoo”. Pete has often talked about his love for the Henry Clay. It’s something he often enjoys smoking now, and throughout the years. I actually did a blind review of the standard Henry Clay (you can read that here) and I immediately thought “Tatuaje” so the inspiration is there for sure. Circling back the the Henry Clay Tattoo the cigar features a Connecticut Broadleaf 2010 wrapper, Dominican Republic 2010 binder, and filler tobacco from Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. While Pete has always worked with the Garcia family to produce his cigars, the Henry Clay Tattoo is being produced by Altadis USA in the Dominican Republic.

The Henry Clay Tattoo comes in a single 6 x 52 format which carries a priced tag of $9.50 per stick. The cigars come packaged in boxes of 20 with only 2,500 boxes released, so these will disappear fast (and in most cases already have). I picked up a few of these over from our friends at Cigar Hustler.

Size: 6 x 52
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf 2010
Binder: Dominican Republic 2010 (Vintage)
Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaraguan 2012 (Vintage)
Body: Medium/Full
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $9.50
Pairing: Prairie Artisan Ales Apple Brandy Barrel Noir (Imperial Stout 12% ABV)

Prelight:

Much like the standard Henry Clay, the Henry Clay Tattoo carries a very rough, rustic looking character. The wrapper a very splotchy medium to dark brown with lot of areas of a slight orange hue. The wrapper’s texture is very rough and toothy while it carries a good amount of oil which actually rubs off on my fingertips as I inspect the cigar. The wrapper is very hard and thick while the cigar is tightly packed with only a few softer areas around the foot. There are a few medium sized veins and webbing running through the tobacco leaf, but nothing too concerning. The Henry Clay Tattoo features of soft box press which leads up to an interested round, double cap with a thin little pig tail that is folded over on one side of the cigar.  The cigar is polished off with the standard Henry Clay red, white, and gold band with a typeface updated and some interesting black accents on the side as well as a secondary black band with the word “Tattoo” spread across the front, and “Pete Johnson” printed lightly in the back.

The wrapper on the Henry Clay Tattoo gives off strong sweetness, cedar, and spice aromas while the foot of the cigar is much more natural featuring some mild tobacco and grassiness. The cap cut very clean and easily using my Palio double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces some deep cedar, sweetness, spice, and fruit flavors.

First Third:

The Henry Clay Tattoo starts off with a nice subtly pepper punch which quickly fades into some deep cedar and oak, espresso, cherry, spice, and tartness which tends to linger on my lips and tongue for a good while after each puff. The draw was a bit tighter than I liked, and the cigar seemed to have a bit of trouble keeping lit through the first third. I didn’t have to re-light, but the burn was almost out each time I picked up the cigar cause me to have to puff a few times to get it going again. The burn line had some slight waves but for the most part burned pretty consistent while leaving behind a very tightly compacted trail of white and light gray ash which held on for an inch before giving way.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Henry Clay Tattoo and I am still having a tough time keeping this cigar lit. It has needed to be relit twice now, and has been on the verge of going out every time I pick it up. The flavor profile is rocking though. The cigar is now leading with some great chocolate, cherry, cedar, spice, and espresso with a decent amount of sweetness. Despite the burn issues I am really enjoying this cigar. The retrohale is a lot sharper than I anticipated coating my nasal passage with a ton of spice and pepper. As I stated before, keeping this cigar lit has been a bit of a mess but the burn line is pretty consistent as I close out the second third with no signs of nicotine.

Final Third:

Into the final third of the Henry Clay Tattoo and the cigar is finally burning halfway decent. It’s still having a bit of a problem staying lit, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was through the first two thirds. The body has really began to ramp up as there was a great resurgence in the spice and pepper backed by the cedar, cherry, espresso and chocolate. The strength has really started to creep up on me again as the Tattoo has now ventured into the medium/full arena. It took me about an hour and forty five minutes to take the cigar down to the nub. The Henry Clay Tattoo finished with some very slight harshness (probably due to the burn issues), no extra heat, and just a slight nicotine kick.

Overview:

So let’s start with the good. The Henry Clay Tattoo is a fantastic cigar. The flavors are both strong, and plentiful with a decently complex body. The Tattoo reminded me more of the original Henry Clay with nod to Tatuaje adding in a good amount of sweetness, rather than a Tatuaje paying homage to the Henry Clay. The format is awesome and very comfortable on both the mouth, and in hand, while the price point was reasonable. So there’s the good. The bad is that in both cigars I smoked leading up to this review I had some basic burn issues. This cigar just doesn’t want to stay lit. Maybe they are too young, maybe they were too moist, maybe they just don’t preform well. I really don’t know what caused it and the only thing that I can do is wait a while and see if I can re-visit this cigar and possibly give it a round two review after it’s had a bit more time to age and acclimate. Either way, this was a great cigar it just didn’t preform the way I’d like it too. Would I try it again? Well, I plan on it. Would I suggest it? If it wasn’t for my burn issues, I absolutely would. After typing all this up I went and peeked in on a few other’s thoughts on the Henry Clay Tattoo and I seem to be one of the only ones experiencing issues like this so it may just be the cigars I was sent with my order. That being said, I really do think this cigar is worth picking up. It’s not cheap, but it’s affordable, and the flavor profile alone is worth the coin. It’s very limited, so if you’re going to chase after this cigar you better get yours soon. Let’s just hope yours perform better than mine did.

Pairing:

Yes, another Prairie Artisan Ales, who cares? They make some incredible beers that pair wonderfully with cigars and there is no shame in bringing them back into the pairing section time and time again. This week’s offering is their Apple Brandy Barrel Noir. This 12% Imperial stout is aged in Apple Brandy Barrels before bottle and shipped. The beer leads with a good amount of sweetness, chocolate, vanilla, apple, and malt with a heavy mouthfeel before finishing with more vanilla and chocolate, coffee, malt, and some slight booze with a malty apple aftertaste. I figured this beer would be a great pair with the Henry Clay Tattoo due to the apple, coffee, and chocolate flavors, and it was for sure. The apple added a bit more to the existing cherry flavors in the cigar as well. While this was a great pairing, I’d also consider matching this cigar up with a nice Belgian quad, a spicy dubbel, or some sweet bourbon.

The post Henry Clay Tattoo appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

#10. Partagas – Homage 62

Wrappper: Honduran Olancho San Agustin | Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf |Filler: Dominican, Honduran and Mexican

The Partagas Benji Homage 62 is an outstanding cigar. The flavors were easily distinguishable and the variations among the flavors were intriguing. The only short-fall of the Homage was the multiple touch-ups needed throughout the cigar to get the wavy burn back in-line. Benji Menendez should be extremely proud of this cigar that pays tribute to his 62 years in the industry.

You can find the full review HERE.

#9. Agio Cigars – Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro | Binder: Dominican Olor |Filler: Brazilian Bahia, Dominican Olor, and Nicaraguan Ligero

The Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18 is a very unique and special cigar. The profile was intriguing in the first third with the sour grass notes, well balanced in the second third with the added sweetness and coffee, and completely satisfying in the final third with deep, dark, full flavors. There was never a dull moment with the Anejo 18 as it was continually introducing new flavors and building in intensity with the flavors, body, and strength.

You can find my full review HERE.

#8. Kuuts Cigars – Miro Lancero

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra | Binder: Nicaraguan |Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran

The Kuuts Miro Lancero is a very nice evening smoke that delivers in the spice department for sure. Don’t let the small ring gauge trick you. This Lancero packs a punch with its strength. Other than the flaky ash, the performance was just about perfect with an easy draw that delivered a copious amount of smoke and the burn was even throughout.

You can find my full review HERE.

#7. Crux Cigar Company – Crux Classic

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa) | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan

It is hard enough to release one excellent cigar, it is even harder when it is your first year of business as a manufacturer, and it is almost impossible to release more than one exceptional cigar in your first year of business. Crux Cigars has done the impossible. The Crux Classic adds a new dimension to their already quality line-up. This is is an easy box purchase in my book.

You can find my full review HERE.

#6. Sindicato Cigars – Sindicato Maduro

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Morrón | Double Binder: Nicaraguan (Esteli) | Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)

The Sindicato Maduro carries a premium price tag of just under $13, but it is completely justified by the experience received. The buttery flavor and texture of the smoke sat easy on the palate meshing well with the toasted popcorn and pepper spice, rounded out by the ever-evolving sweetness. From the first third to the very end, the flavors were right around the full arena complimenting the medium/full strength.

You can find my full review HERE.

#5. Drew Estate – Herrera Esteli Lancero

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano | Binder: Honduran | Filler: Nicaraguan

Willy Herrera far exceeded my expectation with the Herrera Esteli Lancero – Edicion Limitada 2014. This small ring gauge brought more body, fuller flavors, and a good amount of strength to the table. From start to finish, this stick was an absolute treat. A classic smoke well worth the $12 price tag. I look forward to the direction Willy Herrera will take Drew Estate Tobacco Company in regards to the expansion of their traditional lines.

You can find my full review HERE.

#4. Tatuaje – Cabaiguan Guapo Lancero

Wrapper:Ecuadorian Sun Grown | Binder:Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan

I have been a fan of Tatuaje for some time, but there were several cigars included in the sampler that I had yet to smoke and the Cabaiguan Guapo was one of those. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first experience with a cigar. The cigar burned cool and even. There were no touch-ups or ashes dropped in my lap. Just a complex, flavorful cigar to sit back and relax with. One thing I noted on this lancero was how big, deep draws brought out an overwhelming pepper, while a small shallow draw highlighted  the nuances of this stick.

You can find my full review HERE.

#3. Crux Cigar Company – Crux Passport

Wrapper: Ecuadorian | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan

While I did not find the Crux Passport overly complex, I never found myself bored with the cigar. The cedar, woodsy flavor held strong throughout, accompanied by more subtle citrus and honey notes. The Passport does not lack in the spice department either. I was very pleased with my two experiences with the Passport. There is finally a new company on the scene that I am excited to get fully behind.

You can find my full review HERE.

As I went back and read my review, I realized my excitement and enjoyment of this stick did not come across as I would have wanted it to. But the truth is the Crux Passport has been in the front of my mind since I smoked it back in May. I revisited the stick a few weeks back to make sure it was all it was cracked up to be  and I think I was even more impressed with it. The Crux Passport is easily the best bang for the buck on this list and worthy of the #3 spot for 2014.

#2. Ezra Zion Cigar Company – Honor Series FHK

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres | Binder: Indonesian |Filler: Brazilian and Nicaraguan

This cigar was an absolute treat! The flavors were bold, balanced, and quite complex. The performance was spot on with an even burn and firm ash. What more could you want in a cigar? All for a price under $10. I HIGHLY recommend the Ezra Zion Cigar Company Honor Series FHK. Being only two months into the year, I think I may have found a contender for my 2014 Top 10 List.

You can find the full review HERE.

This is the second year in a row that Ezra Zion Cigar Company has claimed the number 2 spot on my top 10 list. Last year, the Tantrum was the runner up for the cigar of the year. Ezra Zion Cigar Company has consistently put out solid cigars, with the FHK being no exception. To be honest, the top three cigars on this list could be interchanged for the cigar of the year. I tip my hat to Chris Kelly and Kyle Hoover.

#1. Sindicato Cigars – Sindicato

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Shade Grown (Jalapa) | Double Binder: Nicaraguan (Esteli) |Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli and Jalapa)

I have only smoked a couple great cigars this year and the Sindicato by Sindicato Cigars is one of those. Actually, this may be the very best I have had this year. I was caught off guard with how much I enjoyed this absolute treat. The cigar burned for over an hour with a wavy burn that was of no concern, producing a salt and pepper ash that held over an inch, and copious amounts of smoke poured out of the cigar with each draw. While the flavors may not have been necessarily unique on their own, it was the perfect balance of the those flavors that is something not commonly seen. Even with a price over $10 for the Corona Gorda, I highly recommend this stick.

You can find my full review HERE.

Coming in at #1 on my Top 10 Cigars of 2014 list is the Sindicato by Sindicato Cigars. The Sindicato Maduro is not too far behind finding the #6 spot. When I first smoked through Sindicato’s line-up in 2013 of the Hex, Affinity, and Casa Bella, I found them each to be average to good cigars. This year’s releases of the Sindicato and Sindicato Maduro took the company and their cigars to a whole new level. I was blown away by both, but the original Sindicato delivered, in my opinion, a perfect smoking experience, which makes this my Cigar of the Year!

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