Tatuaje celebrates their 10th year of making a limited edition release for the Tobacconist Association of America by changing up wrapper on their highly sought after release. For the first time the Tatuaje TAA features Sumatra wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. Looking back over the previous 9 releases, 7 of them feature a Broadleaf wrapper, with the other two being adorned by a Habano wrapper and the other San Andres. The 2020 release is limited to 3,000 boxes of 20 cigars.
Cigar Review: Tatuaje TAA 2020
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Robusto Extra
The Look: In addition to changing up the wrapper, the box has changed as well. In past years, the cigar has been released in a 4 x 5 box format with this year featuring two rows of 10. Inside the exclusive series band has a black background with gold lettering and TAA logo. The Sumatra wrapper is flawless with a sight rosado hue to it and a closed foot. Box pressed to perfection the stick as no voids of tobacco and a hefty weight.
The Notes: The cold draw has a sweet cocoa taste to it with a touch of paprika spice that serves as an afterthought. The foot and wrapper serves up mocha with a touch of cedar. With the closed foot of the cigar I opt not to toast it pulling from the cigar as it ignites. The first couple of notes are pine nuts and a touch of licorice.
Moving into the first third of the Tatuaje TAA 2020 the pine nuts remain as an afterthought with hints of oak, coffee and leather. As the first third comes to a close the oak note lingers on the long finish with the retrohale showing cracked peppercorn and a hint of licorice.
The second third sees a chocolate covered espresso bean note become dominant along with some cayenne pepper, oak, and leather. The finish of the cigar is long and spicy with an enjoyable aroma that has a mocha component to it.
Moving into the final third the cayenne pepper becomes dominant and you can feel the spicy on your lips. If this was chili it would easily be classified as 5-alarm. The cigar rounds out with espresso beans, leather and a hint of licorice. The retrohale isn’t as spicy as on the palate but it ads to the long finish.
The Finish: If you look on social media the reaction to the 2020 TAA Edition from Tatuaje has gotten mixed reviews, and it is easy to see why. This is very different then past releases and it has a different taste then many Tatuaje cigars. In fact, after I smoked my first one I was going to score this one considerably less. Last night, I smoked a second one with a glass of rum and my opinion began to change. Lit up a 3rd one for my morning commute and a fourth one while finalizing this review. If you are expected a stereotypical Tatuaje you might be disappointed, if you want something that doesn’t conform to the rest of the line with a spicy profile then like me, you’ll love this one.
Score: 93
Price: $11.99 / $214.99
Tatuaje TAA 2020
Tatuaje TAA 2020 Foot
Tatuaje TAA 2020 Burn
