I stopped by a new (to me) B&M in walnut creek a week or two ago to compare prices and ended up picking up a few sticks since they were quite a bit cheaper than the places I've been going (mainly grant's in SF). The guy had a pretty good selection, so I picked up a nub, a couple more 8-5-8's (which I really really like) and then I decided I'd try a la riqueza. The guy told me he didn't particularly recommend them, but instead he had some brown label noelles if I was interested.
Being a noob, I didn't really know anything about them other than I'd heard plenty of people praising the Tatuaje line in general, so I figured "what the heck". He mentioned that he wouldn't be carrying them anymore because he couldn't move them, but he personally liked them so I figured what the heck.
Tonight I lit it up while I was roasting coffee. Wow. I ended up roasting two batches of coffee instead of my normal single batch just so I could sit there and enjoy the cigar even more. This thing is great!
So what's the deal with these? This thing is fuller bodied than I've been smoking thus far (mainly fuente hemingways and the occasional RP) but man, this thing is really really good. It's spicy but not aggressively so, with a sweet kick to it that I can't quite define (caramel? Nah... maple? Maybe). It's just a hint of sweetness, then a burst of something like cinnamon and clove.
Razor sharp burn, solid all the way through, huge amounts of smoke and it's just a little thing (the same size as my montecristo #4's). I can't understand why the guy at the shop couldn't sell these, because I think I'm gonna go grab several more. Am I off on a tangent? Are these just good to me because I'm a noob and don't know any better? If so, I'm happy in my ignorance heh.
It also passed the unofficial "Cody" test... Cody is our little chihuahua and he *loves* it when I smoke. He wanted to sit in my lap and sniff the smoke the whole time. So far, if he stays in my lap during a smoke, it's usually a pretty good cigar and if he bails, it's something I don't care for either.
-- Gary F.
---- "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." - Robert A. Heinlein
Posts: 827 | Location: Bay Area, CA | Registered: September 27, 2009
Gary, you are not mistaken, I'm glad you discovered Tatuaje. Tatuaje is one of the best NC produced right now, along with Padron, OpusX, VSGs, they are most cubaneseque. You should definitely get more of them, I don't understand either why the owner can't sell them, you should also try Cabaiguan, La Riqueza isn't as full bodied as the Tat but more earthy and leathery IMO, slighter sweeter, too. If you want to try some singles use tampahumidor.com, they ship singles for free, you can basically make your sampler of different sticks and get them in a week or less with free shipping and msrp price. I also recommend that you try Illusione line, I guarantee you'll love them, especially the cg4, 888, hl, and the mk.
"Is that a Churchill cigar in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
Yeah, I like tampahumidor, I've taken advantage of the singles with no shipping already. I actually maintain a wish list on there just to keep track of my sampling. I add all the cigars I've tried that I like. It's a nice central place for me to keep track of what I end up liking, and of course I can send the wishlist to people when they do the inevitable "What do you want for Christmas?"
I just added the noelles
-- Gary F.
---- "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." - Robert A. Heinlein
Posts: 827 | Location: Bay Area, CA | Registered: September 27, 2009
In my vast Cigar experience, of about a year...I have found that they lack the "complexity" of other smokes but they have that certain "kick" and smell, that I like too.
________________________________________________ -The most under appreciated artist, is the one who did not create. -The most under appreciated painter, is the one who never painted. -The most under appreciated writer, is the one that never wrote. -The most under appreciated, is the one who never did.
they are very good. give Epernay by Illusione a shot.
"Cuban seed tobaccos grown in Nicaragua and Cuba. The wrapper would be from Cuba. The binder leaves would be from Nicaragua. For the ligero tobacco in the filler, he would use two types, one from Esteli and the other from Jalapa in Nicaragua. The other filler components, seco and viso, would come from Cuba, the former from Villa Clara, the latter from Pinar del Rio. That Cigar, he says with pride, would score 100 points." -Don Pepin Garcia
was it cigar emporium in WC or Casa Belicoso? Either one is sub-par IMHO...you should check out Mission Pipe in Pleasanton or Telford's in Mill Valley...to me they both kick the hell out of the WC shops...
As far as La Riqueza go...my favorite cigar right now...I can smoke'em like candy...also try the Cabaiguan Maduros...very similar profile and maybe a little more body...great stuff either way.
False guardian I will compel false as the fear of heaven and hell I should have known its all a mirage just as well
Posts: 1830 | Location: CA | Registered: June 02, 2008
It was cigar emporium. I've also been going to the cigar loft on contra costa blvd in pleasant hill. The guy at the cigar loft keeps pushing cains though, every time I go in there he's "Have you tried the cain?"
Heh...
I'm a little leery of him, because he tried to convince me he had maduro short stories at his other store. I haven't made it to Casa Belicoso yet, sounds like I shouldn't bother?
-- Gary F.
---- "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." - Robert A. Heinlein
Posts: 827 | Location: Bay Area, CA | Registered: September 27, 2009
Casa Belicoso is really nice...but you are going to pay up the ying yang for the amenities...I'm not really into the WC thing its too trendy for me...I prefer the more laid back (and some would call it yuppy) Danville Cigars...even though the selection is smaller the place is just all around classy.
I had a Cain there on saturday and I must say I liked it...very powerful but not sickening...I'd smoke another actually.
I'd say lets have a smoke one day but you might get pissed at me wearing my hat..j/k
False guardian I will compel false as the fear of heaven and hell I should have known its all a mirage just as well
Posts: 1830 | Location: CA | Registered: June 02, 2008
To be honest, I thought Tats were overrated the very first time I tried one. Now I smoke a minimum of 4 or 5 Tats a week, and usually I only smoke twice a day. I prefer full bodied cigars. Other NC go-to's are Cubao, LFD double ligero, Illusione, Padron, & Oliva.
Don't be scared of your dealer's Cains. I actually think the maduro torpedo is pretty tasty and sweet. And very affordable. As for other must tries that aren't mentioned: El Triunfadors, Mi Barrio, Opus, Anejos, and Padrons 1926, Padrons 1964, in fact ANY Padrons.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: pTr939,
** as el guapo always say: godspeed & party on **
Posts: 1231 | Location: joizey+nyc | Registered: April 29, 2009
Lol, I promise not to get upset about your hat as long as you promise not to mock my noobishness
Honestly, I'm about as anti-yuppy as you can get (not exactly redneck, but for the most part I feel pretty out of place in walnut creek). CB looked like an interesting place from the website but all I could think of when I saw it was "wow, I bet they have to charge a huge markup to pay for all that stuff".
I like Grant's in SF, the staff is friendly and helpful, they *always* have good recommendations for me to try and they have a small lounge area that they don't charge for. Their prices are a bit higher than east bay, but they are not by far the priciest in SF. I always feel welcome there whether I'm buying a $4 punch cutter for my keychain or picking up $50 in random sticks to try over the weekend.
Last time I was in there they were talking up the cubao. Too bad my cigar budget was shot for the month or I'd have picked up a couple to try.
-- Gary F.
quote:
Originally posted by mbflash80: Casa Belicoso is really nice...but you are going to pay up the ying yang for the amenities...I'm not really into the WC thing its too trendy for me...I prefer the more laid back (and some would call it yuppy) Danville Cigars...even though the selection is smaller the place is just all around classy.
I had a Cain there on saturday and I must say I liked it...very powerful but not sickening...I'd smoke another actually.
I'd say lets have a smoke one day but you might get pissed at me wearing my hat..j/k
---- "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." - Robert A. Heinlein
Posts: 827 | Location: Bay Area, CA | Registered: September 27, 2009
Originally posted by Gary Foster: Lol, I promise not to get upset about your hat as long as you promise not to mock my noobishness
Nothing really to mock. Seems like you're off to a good start. Tatuaje is in my Top 10 NC cigars.
Can't beat a Fuente 8-5-8 for value either. I smoke them from time to time.
If you like the Tats, and are looking for an "everyday" cigar in that price range, there are some other cigars in the Tatuaje family worth trying:
Ambos Mundos is made of 'ungraded' long filler tobacco and is an excellent, excellent, excellent cigar for the price. I will smoke one of these anytime.
Tatuaje Serie P is made from the clippings of the Havana IV series (red band) along with some long filler leaf as well. In my neck of the woods, they're around $3-$4. I don't smoke them often, because I'd rather spend $1 more for an Amobos Mundos, but they are generally good.
Ill second Ptrs recomendation about the Cubaos. I got a fiver from CI and they sat for along time before I tried them, but once I had one, they were gone, poof! Definatly going to get more. Also you might try the Cabiguan line. The Guapos are great, IMHO.
"How is it that you don't smoke ? A cigar is not just a pleasure, it is the crown and hallmark of pleasure. Ah, this is life ! - Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Mission is great for Tats...because they sell at MSRP...if you go in there looking for other premiums be prepared....LFD, Padron, and Fuente usually get marked up pretty heavily...but none the less its a great shop.
False guardian I will compel false as the fear of heaven and hell I should have known its all a mirage just as well
Posts: 1830 | Location: CA | Registered: June 02, 2008
