Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: 5.75 x 56  Gentle Box Pressed

Body: Medium/Full

Price: $8.00

This is pretty damn good stick. I reviewed this cigar back in October of 2012 and thought I’d take another look at it. Why? Because I found one marinating in my humidor that I had forgotten about. So it will be interesting to see how it smokes after four months of aging.

This is a Pete Johnson cigar that debuted at 2012 IPCPR. It is one of the cigars under the umbrella of L’Atelier Cigars. A group of reasonably priced sticks that include the Bone Crusher, the Skull Breaker, and the Tramp Stamp. All friendly sounding names.

This is a nice looking box pressed cigar. The corners are rounded. Which I think is more appealing to the eye than a box. It is a double band stick like all of the cigars within this brand line. The bottom band has the name “Surrogates.”  Above it is the name of the blend; in this case, Crystal Baller. It looks more like some surreal version of the earth as done by the Evening News than a crystal ball, but this is a trifle. All in all, a nice looking band…white and gold on black.

The construction is very rustic. Seams are relatively tight but if you look closely, it is a bit sloppy. The cap is especially sloppy. It looks like a triple cap but can’t be sure due to its ham handed approach of putting it on the cigar. The color of the wrapper is that of coffee with only the lightest amount of cream in it. There are some small veins.

I sniff away and detect the standard mix of Ecuadorian and Nicaraguan smells; coffee, cocoa, baking spices, cinnamon, and this time around, some dried fruit.

I do the yarmulke cut with a guillotine cutter and light up.

The first flavor is sweet baking spices…some cinnamon, nutmeg, buttery crust, and spice creeps up very quickly. This cigar ain’t fooling around.

Smoke pours from the foot. The char line is a bit raggedy. I can tell that this will not correct itself so I touch it up a bit and everything is fine now.

A smooth and buttery creaminess enters. It becomes the dominant flavor while the spiciness is performing admirably in the background.

The cigar is a solid medium. The first third is all about flavors fighting for admission. There is a nice, mild cocoa flavor. The creaminess and spice are driving the bus. And the baking spices are the bullies taking the other kid’s lunches.

The four months of aging has indeed punched up the flavors and character. There is a deep richness now that wasn’t there before. And the spiciness of black pepper is much stronger. The char line needs correction again. I am hoping I won’t need to do this anymore. The creaminess is much more intense than the first time around and is damn near orgasmic. At my age, I can get an orgasm by watching a women’s nylon commercial on TV. Sigh…..

If I remember correctly, the first third is only an overture to the delightful things that come later. The flavors will coalesce. The profile will come together with a nice amount of finesse; and the body strength will take me to the moon, Alice.

The 56 ring gauge is at the maximum size that I prefer. Any bigger and the cigar fumbles around in my mouth because I’m a chomper and there just ain’t enough room for a 60 in my delicate oral cavity. Plus it reminds of all those years I spend in D Block in Quentin.

As of late, my photos have not been up to par. I am hamstringed by the need for natural light coming through the dining room window and we’ve had nothing but snowy and rainy and dreary days for a week or so. And my photos reflect that, so my apologies. One of these days, I will pop for a good Macro digital camera and my troubles will be over. But then I shouldn’t diss my $90 Panasonic digital camera. It has been loyal.

As I near the halfway mark, the cigar flavor profile is very much like a graham cracker. There is a lot of sweetness mixed with cinnamon and butter. The spiciness has not diminished. In fact, the spiciness has moved from the back of my mouth to the cheeks and tongue signifying red pepper instead. The stick begins to move to a higher level of medium bodied. The stick also continues to be buttery smooth. Very well balanced. And a nice long finish.

The elusive Pete Johnson and Pepin Garcia have changed their strategy about the L’Atelier line from the Tatuaje line. Each cigar is very different from the other and very different from the regular Tatuaje line. Each cigar bears its own interesting character. The L’Atelier cigar is magnificent and I should re-post that review as well.

I move into the second third and things begin to swell, like me. I look down at my belly and I’d give a Buffalo nickel if I could see my wiener. The second third is more of the same but the complexity begins to kick in. The flavors are morphing. They seem to be on a level playing field. No one flavor out does the other. And again, the extra amount of aging had made the spiciness so much stronger. I like that. Keeps me awake while typing.

It is at the halfway point that this cigar has reached its zenith. Everything is flowing like lava. It is pure bliss. I have thought of getting some more of these sticks but passed for something else. Now that I am smoking this last one, I feel the need to probably buy a 5 pack. A box is too much right now. My humidors are full. I haven’t said that in 5 years.

I begin the last third and the graham cracker, cocoa, cinnamon, coffee, spiciness, and the wonderful smooth creaminess are pumping on all cylinders.

The problem with us reviewers is that we want to be the first on the block to bring you a review of something new; therefore, smoking it before its time. Most cigars shine the first couple of days and then go into hibernation for a few weeks or months. Those first couple of days shows off the potential of the cigar but does it in a rough shod mode. So we really don’t get to experience the finesse and depth of character that an aged cigar gives us. A good reviewer will take the potential he tastes and redefine it so that he is taking a trip to the future and telling you what you will taste in 3 months or longer. Nothing wrong with that. But a lot of reviewers will disrespect a cigar if it doesn’t shine in those first few days. Making them idiots for not recognizing that, simply, the cigar is not ready to be smoked yet. So they report on a stick that is one dimensional. You’ve all read these reviews and it does no good to the reader or the manufacturer who put his heart and soul into blending it.

Lecture over….

The last third finds the body moving on up. The cigar is beautifully balanced. A very long finish. I know you’ve noticed it in your wallets; the going price for a good cigar starts at $8 to $9 a stick these days. Not cheap. No it’s not an Opus X. But it is hard to find the good $3 sticks that were so plentiful 5 years ago. This price point makes it hard on a lot of folks who just can’t afford dropping $45 on a 5 pack. One of the great exceptions is one my all-time favorite cigars: Paul Stulac. His cigars are not inexpensive. Most range in the $11-$12 arena. I bought two boxes about 5 months ago. I got a whippin’ from my dear wife for that expenditure. But they are worth every dime. And I smoke one as a treat to myself when I feel I need or deserve one.

The last couple of inches of the Crystal Baller are crazy good. The flavors have been knocked out of the park on a screwball pitch. There isn’t a hint of harshness or bitterness. The stick remains cool to the end.

Now I consider buying anything in the Tatuaje line a costly expenditure. And I find it a little annoying that they are generally released in small batches. Therefore, making the opportunity to grab some very difficult. A mystique has been built around these cigars. And that mystique makes them more alluring. I think Pete Johnson would be doing his fans if he lowered his prices on the entire brand. Everyone claims that they have proprietary blends that are small bunches of leaves. I find this to be a smart marketing tool to keep the price up. And the demand high. Tatuaje is a fine brand. But why does every cigar have to cost an arm and a leg? I could name a dozen cigars in the $7 range that are just as good.

The cigar ends admirably and makes me want another one. I cannot begin to describe how the creaminess compliments the flavors of cocoa and baking spices and the buttery smooth graham cracker pie crust….

All in all, this is a superb cigar. You should treat yourself when your wife isn’t looking.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS