Assessment Updates will be posted on this web-site to: 1) Assess “pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system; 3) A re-assessment and re-score of a previously assessed/score cigars. Today, we provide an assessment rating and score for the Tatuaje Apocalypse. This was a cigar we did a pre-release review in November 2012.
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| Tatuaje Apocalypse |
The Tatuaje Apocalypse is a retail exclusive cigar to South Florida retailer Smoke Inn. It is the fifth installment of Smoke Inn’s MicroBlend Series. The concept involves Smoke Inn teaming up with some of the biggest names in the cigar industry to produce a one time limited run exclusive to its shop . Tatuaje collaborated on the first release of the Microblend Series – resulting in the Tatuaje Anarchy. That cigar proved to be one of the best cigars of 2011 as we ranked it as our #3 Cigar of the Year for 2011. In December 2012, the sequel to the Tatuaje Anarchy, the Tatuaje Apocalypse was launched. Prior to the launch, we had an opportunity to smoke the Apocalypse and were impressed. In fact, this finished as our #4 Pre-Release Cigar for 2012. With several months of age now on these cigars, we revisit the Tatuaje Apocalypse. This cigar has gone to a whole new level and has now gone to the top of the game as far as Smoke Inn and Tatuaje releases go.
For the Tatuaje Apocalypse, the petit salomon shape returns that was used for the Tatuaje Anarchy. It is slightly smaller than the Tatuaje Anarchy as the Apocalypse measures 5 1/4 x 48-52. (The Anarchy was 6 1/8 x 48-52). The blend is much different as the Apocalypse uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler (the Anarchy used a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper).
It seems that the Apocalypse is really hitting its stride in terms of its flavor profile. After a pepper blast, the cigar produces flavors of nut and coffee along with the spice. What has really changed is the cigar has gotten much richer. The coffee notes have much more of an espresso quality. There is also a sweetness to this cigar that resembles sugar cane, yet the Apocalypse still has a classic tobacco-like profile. The end of the Apocalypse is also much smoother. The flavors are on the upper end of medium to full-bodied for most of the cigar – and then progress to full-bodied at the end. The strength keeps pace nicely – also medium to full to start, and then progressing to full strength in the last third. Overall there is great balance between the strength and body.
The construction to the Apocalypse is top-notch. The burn and draw scored very high – one of the best I’ve seen on anything that is a salomon shape.
Click here to read our pre-release assessment of the Tatuaje Apocalypse.
Assessment: Memorable
Score: 95
Source: The cigars for this assessment update were purchased from Smoke Inn Cigars. They have been resting in the Cigar Coop humidor since December, 2012.
Agree with your update. Smoked one yesterday and came away impressed with how these are aging. Pete is king of the broadleaf!
Wassup
When I anxiously took delivery in the fall, I new this was something I was going to have to let age. I couldn't resist "smoking" one for Christmas. I expected the Johnson pepper blast and got it. I thought it got off to a rough start flavor wise. The middle third improved somewhat leading to my hopes of improved flavor that never really approached my personal flavor profile.
Fast forward to Memorial Day… Quote Mark Twain " When I was seventeen I was convinced that my Father knew little, but upon turning twenty seven I was amazed by how much he had learned in ten years!" That's my impression of what just "a few " months put on this puppy. You're dead on! I don't have your finesse of tongue, but I knew something sweet was going on months later, and sugar cane nailed it. That's why you get the big bucks bro. Keep it real. Gene