#9 2023 Cigar of the Year: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue No. 1

SPECIFICATIONS

Wrapper: Shade-Grown Nicaraguan Corojo ’99
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
No. 1: 6 1/4 x 52
Price: $12.00

Sponsor: Yes
Samples Provided for Initial Review: No
Review: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue No. 1 (9/30/23)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 8 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023)

The Details

The #9 2023 Cigar of the Year is the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú Blue No. 1. The Verocú Blue is a regular production line that made its debut at the 2022 Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show. Verocú Blue is described as an offshoot of the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocú line, which is, in turn, an offshoot of the Tatuaje Havana VI (aka Red Label) line. While there may be some DNA connections among these lines, the difference with Verocú Blue is the Shade-grown Corojo wrapper grown by the Garcia family in Nicaragua.

It’s more than the wrapper that comes from the Garcias. Pete Johnson told us that the Verocú Blue is a “Garcia puro” – meaning that all of the tobaccos used in the blend are from the Garcia family farms. Johnson also commented that the blend underwent testing and retesting in multiple versions throughout the development process over the past four years. The No. 1 is a Toro-sized offering measuring 6 ¼ x 52. Production comes from the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

The flavors really shine on Verocú Blue No. 1. This is a cigar that delivers a combination of natural tobacco, earth, cedar, fruit, and pepper. The flavors that were delivered were medium-bodied and countered by medium strength.

Tatuaje has had a very successful run over the years on the Countdown. This is the eighth year a Tatuaje has placed on the Countdown. In addition, this is the sixth time Tatuaje has landed a Top 10 Cigar. Nicaragua continues to dominate the Countdown. The Central American country has landed 14 cigars on this year’s Countdown.