Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Size: 6.25 x 60 “Gordo”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $5.00-$6.80 (Depending on Quantity Bought)

This cigar was gifted to me in a special 10 pack sampler from Atlantic Cigars. As far as I know, only Atlantic carries this brand. If you read, what I consider to be a very interesting bio on the cigar, you will hope like I do, that this is an excellent cigar. More are to be had on the Atlantic web site, but only four sizes are available and one size is on backorder.

Here is what Atlantic has to say about how this cigar came about: (I am going to break up their one long sentence so it is easier to read.)

“The “La Tribu” (The Tribe) cigar is a special cigar project that has been in the works for the last few years. This project involved the collaboration with some of the best tobacco expects from both Cuba and the outside world. The goal was to examine closely the way cigars are produced by studying years of research from the Cuban cigar market and that of the American market.

“From the ground up from trial and error over the last few years we were able to create this outstanding cigar. The creation of this unique cigar involved the use of traditional and modern techniques, and deep, open discussions from many schools of thought.

“Our group was one of the first to be granted complete access to all of Cuba’s cigar facilities and to their prestigious Tobacco Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones del Tabaco).

“Our team spent countless hours studying, learning and developing a specific approach for the creation of this cigar. The result is a cigar that is reminiscent of the great Cuban cigars of the past with a modern day twist, and using the very best tobaccos grown today.

“The result is a cigar with a rich Cuban, Nicaraguan and Dominican flavor profile. This was accomplished with the help of top blends from each of these countries.

“The Blend is comprised of an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a Dominican binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos.

“The cigars were minimally processed using natural techniques, then cedar cabinet aged until deemed ready. The true flavors of the tobacco are allowed to shine, never sacrificing flavor for appearance and never altering the true natural essence of the tobacco with additives.
“The natural oils are present with no alteration which indicates the use of ultra-premium tobaccos. The highest levels of quality control are incorporated, from draw testing to weighing each cigar, that is seldom done all to ensure a quality product.

“The focus of La Tribu is ultra-boutique, quality over quantity, done in very small batches to ensure this can be achieved. The name “La Tribu” translates to; “The Tribe,” which is a tribute to those involved in the creation of this outstanding cigar.

“The launch date will be late-summer 2012, packaged in cedar boxes of 10 cigars and available in 4 sizes with limited releases throughout the year. A pre-release is currently available in bundles for a limited time until the full launch of the brand.”

So there you have it. A fascinating study in the life of a cigar. On with the review.

It’s a pity they didn’t put a cigar band on this stick. For selfish reasons, a cigar with a band makes for sexier photos.

Now this baby is a log ride at Disneyland. It is huge. The stats on the Atlantic web site say it’s a 6.25 x 60 but when I measured it, it was only 6.12. The missing eighth.

Construction is quite rustic. It might be less on a smaller size. Seams are tight but lots and lots of veins. There is some wrinkled wrapper in a few places. The wrapper is a very light tan with some oily sheen and a bit of toothiness. The PR photos of bundles on the Atlantic web site show the color to be almost a very dark maduro. It has very nice triple cap. And since they are following the Cuban tradition, this is a must. It is expertly done. The stick has the perfect amount of solidity to it and the right amount of give.

I clip the cap using a chain saw and find aromas of cocoa, spice, cinnamon, heavy on the cedar, and leather.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are very creamy and buttery. The draw is perfect. Spice quickly ramps up. The cocoa takes a small part of the flavor profile. It is earthy and rich immediately. And it has a very unique quality to it. Also something fruity.

I’ve had this sole stick for a couple months and no reason it shouldn’t be ready to display its flavor offerings to me. But the size scares me. I’ve said over and over that the big Tony Soprano cigars are great for looking cool in public but lack the character and flavor intensity of a much smaller cigar.

The char line is almost dead nuts. Flavors begin to form. Coffee with cream has appeared. The cedar is very strong.

The char line begins to waver. The spiciness is a bit different than usual. It tastes like it is hiding behind a curtain. Or has a wet wash cloth on top of it. I know, I know…that’s odd and if I were a better writer, I could explain it with better adjectives.

The body is classic medium. And the cigar becomes chewy at the one inch mark. Flavors are very pungent. I can’t quite identify the fruitiness because the creaminess and cedar are so potent.

I bought into the great story Atlantic told about the history of this cigar because I consider Atlantic to be a no bull shit store. They don’t make claims like the other biggies do which makes the big ones untrustworthy. I trust Atlantic. And no, they don’t send me cigars. The bastardos!

Halfway through the first third, the cocoa kicks up. Not a lot but enough to make its presence known.

No BS, I am getting a Cubanesque sense about this cigar. It is unique and not like any Nicaraguan or Dominican I have smoked. Or Habano.

The stick has a very long finish. And when I sip my water, my palate is trampled with flavors. I would love to smoke a robusto size of this cigar. I have a real disdain for these big honkers. And I just know that if I were smoking a robusto, it would be a real flavor bomb. Big cigars rarely do that. They just tease you.

The char line continues to waver and now needs a touch up.

The fruit is plum. It has a bit of not quite ripe tartness. But definitely, plum.

The creaminess continues to be bolder with each puff. The spice is now becoming stronger as the cigar moves to high medium bodied. I’m trying to think what Cuban this tastes like. I will give you my guess once I am in the last third of the cigar; but I do have a strong opinion right now.
I enter the second third and this behemoth is actually shooting for flavor bomb status. I am impressed.

Thankfully, the stick is not jam packed to the gills with tobacco. Mind you, there were no soft spots but wasn’t like a rock either. Therefore, it is not smoking slowly. I really did not want to invest two hours or more smoking this thing, no matter how good it is. My jaw gets tired like…well…you know.

The triple cap’s construction is impeccable and it has not let loose a single piece of lip tobacco.

I’m beginning to get a bit of a nicotine buzz at the halfway point.

I can no longer restrain myself. This reminds me of a Cuban Ramon Allones.

A nice nuttiness enters the picture. Leather accompanies it. There is also a bit of citrus.

The tobacco itself has a definitive flavor that has nothing to do with the aforementioned flavors. It is rich and heady. Very earthy. While the flavors of cream, spice, cedar, leather, cinnamon, plum, sweetness, cocoa, and coffee; the tobacco should also be added as a distinct flavor.
I enter the last third and everything ratchets up. The spice is really felt on the tip of my tongue. The aforementioned flavors are really strong now. It is here that this giant cigar shows off what its got. It slips into full body.

This is now a most excellent cigar. (From the great poet: Keanu Reeves).

As I begin to close out my time with this cigar, I can wholeheartedly endorse it. The size I would have preferred (5.625 x 46) is back ordered and I entered my email address to be notified when it comes in. My second choice (5.5 x 50) is also backordered. These are the sizes I want. And if you join their VIP Club, like I did, you get a nice discount.

The cigar ends with a very strong profile in both body and flavor. My only criticism is the burn issue. I had to touch it up three times. As I hit the last couple of inches, the wrapper begins to crack and unravel. The cap stayed in place beautifully and the wrapper had no mishaps.

This is a limited production cigar. I recommend getting some or getting your name on the list of the size you prefer and cross your fingers it comes in soon.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS