The name Négociant comes from the world of wines, which is a passion of brand owner Pete Johnson. The name Négociant is the word given to winemakers who buy wine or grapes from from other growers and use it to create a wine of their own.
One can argue that Pete Johnson is the Négociant of the cigar world with his relationship to My Father Cigars where Pete Johnson creates his cigars utilizing tobaccos from the company owned by the Garcia family.
Cigar Review: Tatuaje Negociant
Wrapper: Ecuador Shade
Binder: Mexico & Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Robusto
The Look: The Tatuaje Negociant comes packaged in 25 count slide top cabinet style boxes. Inside, a full box is wrapped in wax paper and the cigars are tied together in a black ribbon. The Ecuador Shade wrapper has a sandy feel to it, with almost no veins visible. The cigar is well packed with no soft spots and a spongy foot. The band of the cigar is quintessential Tatuaje with elements of black, gold and white.
The Notes: With the cap cut utilizing my Lotus Jaws cutter, the cold draw sets the stage for the cigar in hand. There is a subtle buttery richness along with some pine nuts and caramel. The foot of the cigar serves up a subtle earthy aroma.
Once the foot is toasted, there is a subtle pepper note that envelopes the palate. As it subsides the cigar becomes buttery smooth with hints of cashews and an abundance of cedar. As the first third comes to a close, some sweetness begins to develop.
In the second third of the Negociant from Tatuaje the sweetness becomes a bit more defined and is reminiscent of apricots. The nuttiness of the first third continues, though the definitive taste of cashews is replaced with pine nuts which was experienced on the cold draw.
As the cigar comes to a close, the last third sees notes of white pepper become dominant especially on the retrohale. Nuts remain the constant of this cigar that also offers up some earth and cedar on the moderate finish.
The Finish: Different is how I would describe the Negociant. It’s milder then anything Tatuaje has offered to date, and having smoked all three sizes today, the Belicoso is the smoothest of them all. I feel the cigar could benefit from some aging, but it is enjoyable regardless. It’s something a Tatuaje or L’atallier fan should enjoy, I know I did but will keep a box in my humidor for a few months before lighting up another
Score: 91
Price: $10.19 / $224.99
Tatuaje Negociant Monopole #1
Tatuaje Negociant Monopole #1 Foot
Tatuaje Negociant Monopole #1 Burn
