Back in 2007, Pete Johnson released a limited version of the Tatuaje Havana VI called the Tatuaje Verocu. These releases were spotty until 2010 when he released the Verocu No. 5, which was a regular production 4×40 cigar that I am very familiar with. Fast-forward to 2015, Pete announced he was going to be making the these a standalone brand coming out with six new sizes for consumers to choose from. I’m about to spark up the Tatuaje Verocu No. 2.
What am I smoking?
- Cigar Review: Tatuaje Verocu No. 2
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Length: 5 1/2 Inches
- Ring Gauge: 54
- Vitola: Robusto Extra
- Strength: Medium Full
Packaging & Design
The Tatuaje Verocu come packaged in twenty count cabinet boxes made of cedar wood. Burned into the lid and sides is the name of the brand, the name of the size, and how many are inside. Overlaid on one side of the box is a red and silver paper seal that shows the name of the blend.
Speaking of the bands, Pete used the same primary band that is on the Havana VI and a secondary red and silver band that says “Verocu”. They look great against the reddish hue of the wrapper leaf. Kinda like how the paint accentuates the leather seats in my nonexistent Mercedes-Benz.
First Impressions
This cigar has an oily appearance and feel to it, giving off a slight sheen when held under a light. It is very uniform looking, showing hardly any seems or veins. It has a standard Cuban-style triple cap that is placed almost perfectly on the head. This Tatuaje Verocu No. 2 is a very evenly packed cigar, not showing any signs of internal flaws.
After cutting, I noticed it has a slightly firm draw, which is something I prefer. Flavors on the cold draw include notes of wood, aged tobacco, and a light sweetness that comes from the wrapper. There is also a nice kick of pepper, foreshadowing at what’s to come.
The Smoke
While I was toasting, a nice red ring started to appear right away. Smoke poured off the foot, giving off aromas of cedar and peppery tobacco. The first couple puffs brought out sweet flavors of leather, wood, barley and nuts. However, as with many of Pete Johnson’s blends, a prominent spice dominated my palate.
Into the second third, the body started picking up and brought the strength into the fuller side of medium. Flavors remained fairly consistent, but a nice note of cocoa and black coffee began to appear.
Finishing up on the Verocu, body and flavor have gone full tilt. As the cigar got hotter, the leathery flavor I was getting in the first third is now the star player. Behind that is still a backbone of peppery spice, trailing off into a well balanced array of toasty and nutty flavors.
Final Thoughts
The construction of this cigar was excellent, never once needing a touchup or relight. The burn was straight and even all the way down, and draw resistance never wavered. Cigars that come out of the My Father factory in Nicaragua tend to be consistently top-notch. Very seldom do I have issues with their cigars, and that is something that takes talent from their rolleros and torcedores.
I’ve been a fan of Tatuaje cigars for a while now, and the Verocu line is one that I find myself gravitating towards more often than not. Personally, I’d love to see a “Reserva” version of this. Pete’s use of broadleaf tobacco is something he’s famous for, and I think it would make for a nice twist on this classic blend.
Score Breakdown
-Appearance: 19
-Flavor: 18
-Balance: 18
-Burn: 19
-Quality:18
Rating: 92
Price: $9.00 / $161.99 (Box of 20)
Glamor shot of the Tatuaje Verocu No. 2
The Tatuaje Verocu No.2 had a strong ash. Solid construction.
The Tatuaje Verocu No. 2 had a nice, long lasting finish.
