Two cigars made it back to me from the show with some special care given to them. The first was an M80 prototype for 2016 that I won’t be reviewing. If you follow me on social media, you can see the cigar. The other is today’s review.
Henry Clay is a brand of cigars that was named for the American politician Henry Clay who served three terms as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and served as Secretary of State. He was also a three-time loser in his campaigns for President.
The brand was originally created in the 1840s by a Spanish emigrant named Julian Alvarez. The Cuban business interest of Alvarez would eventually become part of Henry Clay and Bock & Company which was founded in 1888.
The brand is now part of the Altadis portfolio and earlier this year it was announced that the brand would see a limited edition cigar blended by Pete Johnson of Tatuaje fame.
The cigar which is made in the Dominican Republic will come in one size, a bundle press Brevas style that will retail for $9.00 and come in 20 count boxes. The Henry Clay Tattoo which is limited to 50,000 cigars features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper from 2010 with a Dominican Piloto Cubano binder from the same harvest year and fillers from the Dominican Republic and the Ometepe region of Nicaragua.
Cigar Review: Henry Clay Tattoo
Size: 6 x 52 (Box Press)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf (Vintage 2010)
Binder: Dominican Piloto Cubano (Vintage 2010)
Filler: Dominican Olar (Vintage 2012), Dominican Piloto (Vintage 2012), Nicaraguan Crillo Ometepe (Vintage 2013)
Strength: Medium-Plus
Source: Altadis USA
The Look: A box pressed cigar with a pig-tail cap the Henry Clay features two bands, with one being a classic Henry Clay with a secondary band denoting Tattoo both of which utilize colors of red, black and gold foil. The oily wrapper has some brindle like effects and it is perfectly and seamlessly rolled. The Connecticut Broadleaf however does have some veins that are a bit thicker by the foot and some wrinkles around them as well near the band. In the hand the cigar has a hefty weight to it with one soft spot about half way up the cigar and a slightly spongy foot.
The Notes: The foot of the cigar has an aroma that reminds me of being in a tobacco factory with elements of raw tobacco and spice. There is a maple like sweetness present as well with a hint of cocoa. The cold draw of the Henry Clay Tattoo is a little bit tight but it has similar notes to that experienced on the draw.
Once the cigar is lit the draw opens up some and the initial notes are toast and citrus with the citrus taking on a definitive orange zest that as the cigar progresses into the first third. There is some spice to the cigar that in my opinion is trying to mimic a Nicaraguan profile with Dominican tobaccos despite the Criollo from the Central America nation.
In the second third of the cigar it remains toasty with elements of steak cooked not the grill, but not the well done variety, rather one cooked medium-rare. There was also a fruit like element of berries that was noticed on the finish.
The last third of the Henry Clay Tattoo develops notes of cashews and earth, both of which were new components to the flavor profile. There was some spice through the nose and the leather finish was long.
The Burn: I was concerned about the draw which was crazy tight on the cold draw. Once the cigar was lit it did open up some, but there was a heavier resistance then I enjoy on a cigar. Being that it is a pre-release sample I can’t find too much fault since I can’t be 100% of the storage prior from box to my co-worker. The cigar burned even, with a firm medium brown ash.
Finish: While the cigar started off medium, it did have a bit of a nicotine kick at the end when it became more full. With the band off the cigar, I believe that no one would guess it to be a Pete Johnson stick as the similarities between the Henry Clay and Tatuaje are non-existant. What it does show is that Pete is comfortable outside his element in the Dominican Republic and he has produced a cigar that I would like to try again especially with some age on it. The collectors will want to try one out of the box, but I would sit on these and perhaps even dry box one before smoking it.
Score: 89
Price: $9.00
Bullet Points
(Random Thoughts During Smoking Experience)
- The cigars were not from the samples given out on the show floor at IPCPR, rather from the local sales representative. They were then stored at optimal condition by 2 Guys buyer Ed Santamaria until they made their way to me.
- I find it funny that Pete Johnson decided to work with Altadis being they filed suit over his use of the Fleur-de-lys on Tatuaje claiming the symbol was synonymous with Montecristo
- The cigar was the second stick I smoked for the day (the first being a M80 Prototype with a Connecticut wrapper)
- I paired the Henry Clay Tattoo with water.
- Smoking time for me, was 2 hours and 25 minutes (I am a very slow smoker).
- Both bands removed with ease.
- Due to a knot of tobacco located about 1.25″ from the cap the cigar got a little soft as the heat built up in the cigar if I smoked the cigar faster than my usual slow pace.
- Considering the Connecticut Broadleaf is from 2010 and is 5 years age, I was surprised at the thick combustion line on the wrapper.
- In the last third the cigar reminded me a little bit of Monte by Montecristo.
- I’ll be looking forward to trying this one again when they show up on store shelves.
Henry Clay Tattoo
Henry Clay Tattoo Foot
Henry Clay Tattoo Burn
