Tatuaje cigars have a highly regarded reputation for their impeccable construction and wonderful flavor. Created in the art, tradition, and style of Cuba, these full-bodied smokes have continued to get top ratings since their release in 2003. The Tatuaje cigar line came to fruition after Pete Johnson, a cigar buyer for The Grand Havana Room of Beverly Hills, California, decided that he wanted to create his own unique cigar offering. Pete teamed up with Tabacalera Tropical for production, and turned to Cuban expatriate Don Jose “Pepin” Garcia to roll these fine cigars.

Garcia is a well-known cigar maker out of Miami, Florida who has been rolling and blending tobacco since the age of 12. He has had his hand in blending such cigars as Cohiba, Partagas, and Montecristo. Garcia has been a consultant for various Cuban cigar makers and was also in charge of quality assurance for Cohiba during the 1990’s. During that time, Garcia was graced with the title “Master Blender” in his hometown of Cuba as well. With such a great talent by his side, Pete Johnson set out to make what is now considered one of the finest cigars on the market today.

Spanish for “tattoo”, Tatuaje was named after the line of tattoos that adorn Pete Johnson’s arms. But don’t let the renegade label fool you. Tatuaje cigars are seeded in the classic Cuban tradition. Johnson and Garcia decided to use Nicaraguan Puros because what they are doing in Nicaragua with their tobaccos is closest to what Cuba does with theirs. They are masterfully rolled in classic Cuban tradition all the way down to their three seamed caps, and they look and taste like they come straight from Havana. Presented neatly in a plain wooden box, Tatuaje cigars reflect Don Garcia’s Cuban influences from top to bottom, and they are the first brand of cigars that Garcia made on his own.

Tatuaje cigars are a boutique brand with limited production, so expect to pay a little more for these gems. However, it is hard to find a bad review associated with the Tatuaje brand, and they continue to get high ratings.

Awards/Recognition/and Ratings:
– Tatuaje Cabinet Especiales: “25 Best Cigars of 2004” by Cigar Aficionado
– Tatuaje Cabinet Taino: No.4 in the “25 Best Cigars for 2005” by Cigar Aficionado
– Tatuaje Cabinet Noella: No. 9 in the “25 Best Cigars for 2006”, and was given a 92 rating at that time.
– The Tatuaje brand was named “2006 Cigar of the Year” by Leaf and Ale.
– Tatuaje has earned consistent high ratings from Cigar Aficionado magazine, and from Cigar Insider Online.
– Tatuaje J21 Reserva was given high praises in Maxim Magazine’s August 2007 issue.
Tatuaje cigars can be found in the following brand names: Tatuaje (Brown Label), Tatuaje Havana VI (Red label), Tatuaje Limited Release, Tatuaje Ambos Mundos, and Tatuaje Series P (White label), Tatuaje Black, Tatuaje Cabaiguan, Tatuaje El Triunfador, Tatuaje La Riqueza Cabinet, and the Tatuaje Verocu.

Tatuaje is owned by Tatuaje Cigars Inc. and are manufactured in El Rey de los Habanos factory in Miami, Florida, and at Tabacalera Cubana S.S. (TACUBA) in Estel