Cigar Weekly

Black Plague · 08-16-2007, 08:00 PM

Tatuaje
Noella
5 1/8 x 42 Mareva

Prelight: Just crossed the line into maduro territory, the color of French roast coffee with a splash of cream. The cigar felt soft and silky to the fingers, solid as a rock. The wrapper leaf had one or two veins, but was otherwise of an even color with an overall oily gloss to it. The cap was very nicely applied and cut smoothly across. Prelight draws gave a strong, aggressive flavor of raw tobacco.

Beverage: Wild Turkey Rare Breed bourbon with a splash of water

Flavor: The raw, fresh-in-the-barn tobacco flavor of the dry tasting came through with immense power. Very full-bodied and strong, with tons of peppery flavor. Black peppercorns, fresh habaneros, a dash of bitter cocoa. Some sweeter nuances came through after the first several draws. Sweet, woody notes on the palate with a chocolatey, peppery aroma. The flavors seemed to dance between the strong tobacco and peppers and the mellower woody sweet tastes. Very full-bodied and satisfying.

At one-third, the whiskey and smoke harmonized very well. The corn sweetness of the Wild Turkey accented the cocoa of the cigar, the oak of the bourbon and woodiness of the cigar made a natural pair, both having lots of spice, body, and character.

The raw power of the first third had really mellowed by this point, existing as an undercurrent to the more delicate flavors now at the forefront. Very woody, fresh tobacco, rough leather, with hints of earth and pepper skins.

Halfway, the dominate profile was of cocoa and creamy sweetness over wood, sprinkled with guinea peppers. The whiskey and smoke combined into a unique flavor reminiscent of pickled banana peppers, oak barrels, and old briar pipes. The finish absolutely smacked of fresh-cut firewood.

At two-thirds, the power returned with a vengeance! Smoke returned more to the flavor profile of the initial third, with loads of peppers, raw tobacco, and wood, but with the creamy sweetness of the middle now playing the role of the undercurrent. The aroma was deliciously fragrant to the end.

Construction: Burned straight as an arrow the whole time, the draw was just perfect, and the pale gray ash held together supremely, but was always easy to tap off in the ashtray. One of the best built cigars I've had in a long while.

Summary: An excellent cigar! I really love this size, since it's big enough to get a full cigar experience, but small enough that you don't need more than an hour or so to devote to it, and I definitely think a box of Noellas should have a spot in the box to age in your humidor. Since these often are compared to Havana cigars, I would say this particular sample was a curious amalgamation of a Partagas and a Hoyo de Monterrey, with the wood and creaminess of a Hoyo, but the aggressive strength and spice of a Partagas. Diluting the barrel-proof whiskey with a little water did wonders to open up its body and flavors, allowing it to better harmonize with the cigar. The Noella performs at its absolute best if you smoke it very slowly, otherwise the gentler nuances can get lost in the intense tobacco and spice flavor.

08-16-2007, 08:00 PM	#1
Black Plague Herf Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 7,650	Tatuaje Noella Tatuaje Noella 5 1/8 x 42 Mareva Prelight: Just crossed the line into maduro territory, the color of French roast coffee with a splash of cream. The cigar felt soft and silky to the fingers, solid as a rock. The wrapper leaf had one or two veins, but was otherwise of an even color with an overall oily gloss to it. The cap was very nicely applied and cut smoothly across. Prelight draws gave a strong, aggressive flavor of raw tobacco. Beverage: Wild Turkey Rare Breed bourbon with a splash of water Flavor: The raw, fresh-in-the-barn tobacco flavor of the dry tasting came through with immense power. Very full-bodied and strong, with tons of peppery flavor. Black peppercorns, fresh habaneros, a dash of bitter cocoa. Some sweeter nuances came through after the first several draws. Sweet, woody notes on the palate with a chocolatey, peppery aroma. The flavors seemed to dance between the strong tobacco and peppers and the mellower woody sweet tastes. Very full-bodied and satisfying. At one-third, the whiskey and smoke harmonized very well. The corn sweetness of the Wild Turkey accented the cocoa of the cigar, the oak of the bourbon and woodiness of the cigar made a natural pair, both having lots of spice, body, and character. The raw power of the first third had really mellowed by this point, existing as an undercurrent to the more delicate flavors now at the forefront. Very woody, fresh tobacco, rough leather, with hints of earth and pepper skins. Halfway, the dominate profile was of cocoa and creamy sweetness over wood, sprinkled with guinea peppers. The whiskey and smoke combined into a unique flavor reminiscent of pickled banana peppers, oak barrels, and old briar pipes. The finish absolutely smacked of fresh-cut firewood. At two-thirds, the power returned with a vengeance! Smoke returned more to the flavor profile of the initial third, with loads of peppers, raw tobacco, and wood, but with the creamy sweetness of the middle now playing the role of the undercurrent. The aroma was deliciously fragrant to the end. Construction: Burned straight as an arrow the whole time, the draw was just perfect, and the pale gray ash held together supremely, but was always easy to tap off in the ashtray. One of the best built cigars I've had in a long while. Summary: An excellent cigar! I really love this size, since it's big enough to get a full cigar experience, but small enough that you don't need more than an hour or so to devote to it, and I definitely think a box of Noellas should have a spot in the box to age in your humidor. Since these often are compared to Havana cigars, I would say this particular sample was a curious amalgamation of a Partagas and a Hoyo de Monterrey, with the wood and creaminess of a Hoyo, but the aggressive strength and spice of a Partagas. Diluting the barrel-proof whiskey with a little water did wonders to open up its body and flavors, allowing it to better harmonize with the cigar. The Noella performs at its absolute best if you smoke it very slowly, otherwise the gentler nuances can get lost in the intense tobacco and spice flavor.