There have been quite a few limited edition releases from Pete Johnson and Tatuaje this year, and today’s cigar fits in that mold. The Jackyl is a store exclusive for Casa de Montecristo in Countryside, Ill and comes to The Cigar Authority via Brian Krell a listener and reader of The Cigar Authority.
The cigars came out in August and were limited to 2,000 boxes of 10.
Cigar Review: Tatuaje: The Jackyl
Size: 6.75 x 54
Wrapper: Sanctus Spiritus
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Source: Brian Krell
The Look: The Jackyl features a black band with gold colored text of The Jackyl. To the left and right of the cigar name it denotes Tatuaje Exclusive Series. The cigar which features the Sanctus Spiritus wrapper is a warm golden brown with a few veins and a soft velvet like feel. The foot of the cigar is unfinished, meaning the binder and filler is exposed. There is an abundance of oils visible and the cigar is hefty and firm to the touch.
The Notes: The cold draw of The Jackyl has notes of wheat and a cedar and the slightest essence of chocolate. The aroma off the wrapper is definitive cocoa that is so intoxicating I enjoy it for some time before taking in the aroma of foot which consists of paprika and mint.
As we smoke the unfinished foot there is elements of spice and cedar both of which are visible through the nose which also brings some leather to the mix. The first .25″ of the cigar smokes rather quickly and by the 3rd puff we are already touching the wrapper.
The first third of the cigar develops notes of dark chocolate as the leather remains on the finish. There is a subtle sweetness that pairs up with the dark chocolate that has almost a cherry like flavor to it. As the first third comes to a close the leather notes disappear and some cedar joins the mix. The focal point remains dark chocolate.
In the second third of the cigar the cedar notes are dominant on the finish as a nutty component joins the mix along with a flavor that reminds me of unpopped kernel of popcorn around the halfway point. The cigar is buttery smooth, and complex with some mocha on the finish that is heightened on the retrohale.
The last third of the cigar sees the return of leather notes as the dominant flavor. Through the nose some spice comes into play and from the aroma off the cigar. As we come to a close of the final third some notes of nutmeg appear with a compliment of cedar. The long finish of the cigar is leather with a touch of earth.
The Burn: The light of a unfinished foot is quick and easy, although uneven until the cigar catches up with all of the wrapper. Once the wrapper is burning the cigar has a moderate combustion line and a perfect burn. The draw of the cigar was perfection but I did need to relight twice in the middle of the cigar within a half-inch of each other. the firm white ash held in one-third increments.
The Finish: For two-thirds of The Jackyl the cigar offered a nice complexity of flavors with a nice balance of sweetness and spice. The last third of the cigar became a darker profile that lost me as a smoker. Normally I am a Tatuaje fan boy; but The Jackyl’s performance in the last third left me wanting more of what was experience prior and while the cigar finished strong in strength it did not finish strong on flavor.
Score: 89
Price: $13.99
Bullet Points
- One each of the three samples the size of the shaggy foot was different ranging from .25″ on this review cigar to a full inch on one of the others.
- When I would taste new blends when I worked for a manufacture or on KILO, I would lightly score the wrapper about a half inch from the foot and remove it. It would allow me to taste the binder and filler without the aspects of the wrapper. The process allows you to taste the wrapper when it is introduced.
- There was a time I use to chase down all Tatuaje limited edition cigars, as well as a few other brands; but those days are long behind me. I guess the reasoning is that there are so many cigars on the market that I currently enjoy I don’t feel the need to chase.
- Smoking time was a lengthy 2.5 hours
- I paired the cigar with Cuban Coffee
The Jackyl by Tatuaje
The Jackyl by Tatuaje Foot
The Jackyl by Tatuaje Burn
