I was speaking with a few people at a local B&M about the flavor profile of Tatuajes compared to CCs. I've dabbled in CCs very infrequently (a few RyJ Short Churchills and Monte #2s) and so my taste has not developed for the CCs as it has for the NCs.

Is there anything to the statement that Tatuajes compare to the flavor profile of CCs? If not, what NCs do compare to CCs in their flavor?

I've got a few Tatuajes sitting here I'm waiting to light once the heat breaks. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Tatuajes and Pepin Garcias IMO has a very Cubanesque flavor profile. Especially in the first 10 to 20 puffs which really resembels the distinct earthy, sweet flavors of a CC, which is delicious I might add. The brown label has more of this flavor profile while the red label has a light earthy sweetness that is slightly milder.

Interesting. Thanks for the quick reply. The few times I smoked a CC I was immediately able to detect differences from the typical NC. I'll be looking for that difference when I light the Tatuajes I have.

I spoke with Pete about this, and he said that he was "flattered" that the general consensus is that the tats are regarded with a CC profile.

Bear

I really found it kind of "cool" that they've duplicated the flavor because we've heard all about how Cuban seed has been taken all over the Caribbean and yet the results are never the same. This is a real accomplishment.

Don't know that anyone has duplicated the flavor of a CC, but I smoke Tats regularly, and think the Brown label is as close as you are going to get in an NC right now.

just to clarify, by duplicate I mean yea its similar, but CCs are obviously better. And the main point is that I find most of these NCs, no matter how well they duplicate the CC taste, only lasts for an inch or so before they fall off the radar compared to a CC. They are still good nontheless, just shouldn't be compared with a good CC

Thanks guys for clearing this up for me. My palate is still developing, so if I know to look for the "cubanesque" profile in the first two inches or so, it'll be a big help in recognizing the approximate flavors.

I have two CCs in my humi that I'm letting sit. I don't want to light them if they are only going to go to waste since I won't truly appreciate the complexities involved. Hopefully, in short order, I'll have my hands on some more CCs that will afford me the opportunity to develop the palate even more.

This question/discussion always gets me.
Why worry about what cigar is most like an Habanos? And while we're at it, which Habanos, anyway?

Tobacco from each of the various growing regions has particular flavors and characteristics. Enjoy (or not) the cigar for what it is and not because it's supposed to be "cubanesque."

With a few exceptions, I have not been enjoying Dominican tobacco/cigars recently. On the other hand, I have been enjoying Nicaragua cigars. It has nothing to do with whether one is more Cubanesque or less Cubanesque. When I want someting that is "Cubanesque" I smoke a Habanos.

To me -- and I am probably in the minority on this one -- the question is not only unnecessary but unfair as well. Even moreso as the quality of the tobacco, the blending and production keeps getting better and better in places like Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and . . . Miami?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Osnat45,

Osnat: Your points are well taken. If you look through what I was saying earlier in the thread, though, you'll see I was looking for something with the approximate flavor profile of a CC so that I could (roughly) train my palate. The Tatuajes are not meant to be a complete substitute for CCs. I'm not that ignorant to think they could deliver the full character of a CC in a NC. For me, CCs are hard to come by, and the two that I do have don't deserve to be burned yet because I can't fully appreciate them.

Believe me, if CCs were readily available in the United States, I'd be smoking them to enjoy the "cubanesque" flavors. Until that time, however, I need to find rough substitutes that will help me learn what to look for when I finally do obtain some more CCs.

I think I understand your position, Law. You seem to be looking for something with the "approximate" flavor of and a "rough substitute" for Cuban cigars. I'm saying don't worry about it or frame your cigar smoking in that way.

The more you smoke the more you will learn to identify and enjoy (or not) various flavor profiles even if you can't pick out the "pencil lead" note. Learning what you don't enjoy is just as important as learning what you do enjoy.
It's not like you have to go into training to get ready to smoke Habanos. That would be placing an unfair burden on both yourself and many of the world's great cigars.

I have smoked an number of tats and the brown label definitely is reminiscent of a CC. The only Padron 26 No.9 I had was very similar as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Osnat45:
With a few exceptions, I have not been enjoying Dominican tobacco/cigars recently. On the other hand, I have been enjoying Nicaragua cigars. It has nothing to do with whether one is more Cubanesque or less Cubanesque.

If you search my posts, you'll find I've said this myself in these forums a number of times. My Dominican "exceptions" are Ashton VSGs and AF Opus X.

I have only had a few brown label Tats. The earthiness reminds me of CC's, but they punch me in the face way more than the CC's I've had.

Padrons seem more reminiscent of CC's to me. Earthiness, smoothness, even draw.

I recently had a tatuaje noella and later a bolivar pc with about 2 years age on it from a cab of 50. I don't know which i would choose if i had to, but the first 5 minutes were quite similar.

I compared a Tatauje Tainos with a Montecristo Churchill CC.

I thought the Tainos held its ground with the Monte.

But I'm very green when it comes to the Cubans. I just don't get the opportunity to smoke them as much as I want.

JMO.