Tatuaje Noella Reserva
Apr 18, 2009 Cigar
These Tatuaje Noellas cigars are a special release, marked with the “Reserva” seal on the box. They are the same size and blend as regular release Tatuaje Noellas, but they use a specially selected oscuro (dark/black) aged ligero wrapper normally reserved for the Cojonu 2003/2006 cigars.
Even though the wrapper is the same aged ligero leaf as the normal Cojonu 2003/2006 wrapper, it was fermented a bit longer than normal, and selected for its color to be especially dark. The leaves that were used for the Noellas Oscuros was too small to be used as a wrapper for the Cojonu 2003/2006, so a special limited release of ~200 boxes of these Noellas cigars was created. The “Reserva” label is meant to make it clear that this is not how Noellas normally come.
This special production should be available through most Tatuaje vendors.
Pete Johnson has said that the Noella Reserva is “like a little Frank” meaning the blend and wrapper are similar to his 2008 Monster release “The Frank”. All the Tobacco used in the Tatuaje Cigars are 1st Generation Cuban Seed, Grown in Nicaragua. The Cigars are rolled in classic Cuban Tradition by Eight Master Rollers in Little Havana Miami, FL U.S.A. Headed by Maestro Tobaquero Jose Garcia the cigars are rolled with a beautiful Cuban Triple Cap and are Medium to Full in flavor.
On to the review.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Size: 5 1/8″ x 42
Origin: Miami, FL
Wrapper: Nicaraguan aged ligero oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
APPEARANCE and CONSTRUCTION -
The wrapper is a dark chocolate color. Several shades darker than the original release Noella and noticably different when the two are placed side by side. The triple cap on mine was a bit uneven, but nothing to worry too much about. In fact, the entire cigar has a very rustic look to it. Wrapper is very toothy.
SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS -
There was some faint earth aromas coming off the wrapper, but the foot had an intense nose of sweet spice. Even with the thin ring gauge, I decided to use a punch cut on this beauty. I had a great draw with just enough resistance. The cold draw had flavors of earth and sweet tobacco. The Tat Noella Reserva lit beautifully and evenly. I had no burn problems at any point during the smoke. It gave off a good amount of smoke on the draw and kept a thin, even burn line throughout. No complains at all in that department.
FLAVOR -
Wow is the first thing that came to mind. I’ve had the regular Noella release many times and I like that cigar very much. This is a different ballgame. Right from the onset, there are full flavors of dark chocolate, earth and a light spice that all marry together beautifully. The dark chocolate flavor actually intensified at about the halfway point and turned into an interesting bittersweet, burnt chocolate flavor. Hard to pinpoint, but it reminded me of something like a burnt caramel or burnt sugar taste. Sweet with a slight bitterness at the end. The smoke finished with a very pleasant espresso flavor that lingered on the palate for quite a while. Amazing flavors for this little guy.
OVERALL IMPRESSION -
This was quite a surprise. I really enjoy Pete Johnson’s smokes and I’ve had many Noella’s in the past. This was a different animal however. The Reserva has a richness and a spectrum of interesting flavors that really took me by surprise. I also enjoyed the fact that the cigar was medium-full bodied and remained so throughout. The body didn’t overwhelm the amazing flavors at any point. I know these are limited, but if you have your chance to grab some, do so. I got mine from a great guy named Kurt at Twins Smoke Shop in NH. He has them by the box only on the site, but if you call, tell him Tony from LeafandGrape.com sent you and he’ll sell you a fiver or less. Don’t pass this one up.
TOTAL SCORE – 96
Tags: Broadleaf, Frank, Miami, Nicaragua, Noella, Pepin Garcia, Pete Johnson, Tatuaje
