Pre-light Experience

The Tatuaje Gran Cojonú Series A is finished with a closed foot and is firm throughout. The wrapper sports veins that are medium to large in size, and fine in texture. The veins are present throughout the dark Colorado Maduro wrapper, and the cigar has this chocolate raisin quality. The aroma on the cigar is that of spices, leather, meat and rich earth, and even the cold draw delivers some strong and dark qualities.

First Third

The first third begins by delivering some chocolate notes and they are paired with some currant and raisin flavors. I am also picking up some rich earth and damp wood notes. There is a rich barnyard profile and the finish has notes of coffee beans, cinnamon and red pepper. I would classify the cigar as medium-full in body and strength, and the flavors are right there as well.

Second Third

The second third shows some increase in strength and body, and the intensity in the flavors is on the rise as well. The spice notes are very present and the cinnamon and red pepper notes are leading the way. The damp wood notes are also present and the finish is showing rich earth and chocolate cake qualities. It is a full smoking experience and that goes for strength and body. The transitioning has been intense, but well done.

Final Third

The cigar ends like a pepper bomb and I am getting black and red pepper notes. There are some damp wood, cocoa powder and dry earth qualities with that, and there are touches of nuts and coffee at the end. I would classify the cigar as being full in strength, and the same goes for body and flavors.

Burn

The burn is solid throughout, and while always perfect, it does a good job of correcting itself and not needing touch-ups.

Draw

The draw was good for the cigar. I would have preferred it to be more restrictive, but for a larger ring gauge it was solid.

Overall

The Tatuaje Gran Cojonú Series A is an intense cigar that has body and strength, and comes in a vitola that is a combination of a Robusto Extra and Gordito vitola offering. There is transitioning that is taking place throughout, a lot of growth in strength and body from start to end, and having the cigar be a little longer than a traditional gordito allows the flavors to grow and deliver more. The notes of cinnamon, pepper and chocolate pair well throughout, and the currant and raisin notes at the start really add for a great opening. It has been a while since I smoked a Cojonú, but this delivers what the line is all about. Lots of strength and body.

Seth Geise

SCORE

6.32

Cost/Point

$2.22

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Tatuaje Gran Cojonú Series A