The Dynamic Duo: Tatuaje Capa Especial and Cojonu 2012 Sumatra.

Not your regular Tats.

Lovers of full flavored, boutique cigars are quite familiar with the Tatuaje brand. When first introduced nearly a decade ago, they set the cigar world on fire. And the brand made Don Pepin Garcia and Pete Johnson household names in the boutique cigar world. The original Tatuaje Cojonu 2003 was the cigar that so impressed this smoker, I have been passionately pursuing great cigars ever since.

All the Tatuaje Brown Label cigars share a memorable flavor profile: intense tobacco, black pepper spiciness, and strength enough to put away most newbie cigar smokers. This type of cigar fits well in my regular cigar rotation. But while visiting a local cigar shop, I noticed a Tatuaje stick I was not familiar with: the Capa Especial. Upon smoking I was delighted to find that this cigar was actually a new take on the Tatuaje line. The Capa Especial offers the same intense Tatuaje flavor but with a touch less strength. Although it is still a strong cigar, the Capa Especial isn’t overpowering. But what makes the Capa Especial, “especial” is the great Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. This adds a flavor element that brightens up its profile, adding addition complexity to an already complex flavor profile.

The Sumatra wrapper is the difference.

Another new Tatuaje addition is the Cojonu 2012. It is offered in three wrapper iterations: Habano, Conn. Broadleaf, and Ecuadorian Sumatra. The latter shares the same great wrapper as the Capa Especial and is equally worthy of praise. Unlike the Capa Especial (a round parejo), the Cojonu 2012 is a box-pressed Churchill. This makes for a slightly milder cigar, with an easy draw. The 2012 can be smoked in one sitting, albeit if you have a good hour to spare. But this is by no means a newbie cigar. It’s got plenty of that Tatuaje intensity, but with that slightly nutty Sumatra character.

The bottom line is, if you love the Tatuaje Brown Label, the Capa Especial and Cojonu 2012 are great augmentations to the brand. The Sumatra wrapper gives these cigars a more unique flavor, setting them apart from the traditional Brown Label profile.

Tatuaje 7th Capa Especial

Size: Grand Corona (5 5/8 X 46)

Strength: Medium – Full

Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Color: Colorado-maduro

Binder/Filler: Nicaragua / Nicaragua

X Factor: 9.2

Finish: Sweet and nutty.

Tatuaje Grand Cojonu 2012 Sumatra

Size: Box-pressed churchill (6 1/2 X 52)

Strength: Medium – Full