Tatuaje La Verite Vintage 2009

[alfredo_buscatti]

Atlantic Cigar Co. sent me an advertisement for these cigars; pricy now @$15.00/cigar (Churchill, 7 X 47), and more costly yet in the future. Their chief marketing argument is the single-source of the tobacco, Don Pepin's La Estrella farm.

Is there any advantage to single-sourcing? Are these pricy cigars worth the cost?

[lbowles2]

The 2008's weren't in my opinion. I just smoked one last night and I hate to say it but the $5 Man O' War Puro Authentico I smoked before it was much better. And I usually like Pete's stuff. Hopefully the '09's will be better.

There is a reason why these LE's are still available, and there is a reason why they have dropped in price from $20 down to $15. I smoked one last year and wasn't impressed, especially for the price..........that's Padron Anny and Opus territory!

[T.G]

The '09 is a totally different blend than the '08. I've already smoked a few of the '09s that Pete gave me back in November when I visited him & Pepin's farm in Nicaragua. The Pelo de Oro tobacco that is being used for the first time in the 09s really shines. These are not your typical Tatuaje.

When I was down there, Pepin expressed that he feels that there is something to be said for all of the tobacco originating from the same farm.

[alfredo_buscatti]

Originally Posted by T.G

When I was down there, Pepin expressed that he feels that there is something to be said for all of the tobacco originating from the same farm.

Yes, DPG and Mr. Johnson seem to agree that sourcing tobacco from one farm in some way adds to a cigar's quality. How does said tobacco add to the quality?

In my mind it is the blending and the quality of the constituent tobaccos that are the critical points.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by T.G

The '09 is a totally different blend than the '08. I've already smoked a few of the '09s that Pete gave me back in November when I visited him & Pepin's farm in Nicaragua. The Pelo de Oro tobacco that is being used for the first time in the 09s really shines. These are not your typical Tatuaje.

When I was down there, Pepin expressed that he feels that there is something to be said for all of the tobacco originating from the same farm.

Originally Posted by alfredo_buscatti

Yes, DPG and Mr. Johnson seem to agree that sourcing tobacco from one farm in some way adds to a cigar's quality. How does said tobacco add to the quality?

In my mind it is the blending and the quality of the constituent tobaccos that are the critical points.

I will take Pepin's advice and opinion on this, but lot 23 Perdomo's can be had for under $5 and they all come from the same farm/lot.

[BlindedByScience]

Originally Posted by T.G

When I was down there, Pepin expressed that he feels that there is something to be said for all of the tobacco originating from the same farm.

Perhaps in terms of pride, but I can't imagine that it makes for a better smoke.

Don't get me wrong, Pepin's blends are at the top of my list of favorite smokes. And, while the tobacco from this farm may be exceptional, I can't see that "single source" exceptional tobacco is necessarily better than carefully blended exceptional tobacco from multiple sources.

JMHO - N.F.H.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by alfredo_buscatti

Yes, DPG and Mr. Johnson seem to agree that sourcing tobacco from one farm in some way adds to a cigar's quality. How does said tobacco add to the quality?

In my mind it is the blending and the quality of the constituent tobaccos that are the critical points.

Originally Posted by NotFromHere

Perhaps in terms of pride, but I can't imagine that it makes for a better smoke.

Don't get me wrong, Pepin's blends are at the top of my list of favorite smokes. And, while the tobacco from this farm may be exceptional, I can't see that "single source" exceptional tobacco is necessarily better than carefully blended exceptional tobacco from multiple sources.

JMHO - N.F.H.

You'll get no debate from me there gentlemen, I agree completely, and everyone in the business has their own opinion on where the most exceptional tobacco comes from.

One thing of note, FWIW, the farm where Pepin grows the tobaccos that go into the La Verites is his, in his opinion, his best land, best farm and where his best tobacco comes from. It was interesting walking around the farm with him, we would walk through an area and he'd say that he grows such and such tobacco here for tripa, and he'd point to an area off in the corner and say he grows some other tobacco over there for capa & capote, and so on. Just like the farmers who grow the grapes for high end wines, he knew every square foot of his land.

[warpedcigars]

The 08s were ok, I think they will come into their own within a few more years. I am more interested in the 09s because of the addition of the Pele De Oro. I bought a future on the Robustos, now I just have to wait till they release in June.

Aren't "Puros" typically associated with being a better tasting, and more balanced stick? If that's the case, then your assertion is flawed.

[BlindedByScience]

Originally Posted by thecatch83

Aren't "Puros" typically associated with being a better tasting, and more balanced stick? If that's the case, then your assertion is flawed.

The definition I found (and understood) is:

Definitions: puro - noun

1 - A cigar, especially one of which all the tobacco originates from the same country.

....note it says same country, not same farm.

Perhaps your definition is flawed, rather than my assertion....

Touche! Perhaps a search of douch baggery would be better served in my case

[Bill86]

I would hope the 2009's preform better than the 2008's. The robustos wrappers bursted every time. Frustrating, also the ones I smoked had draw issues. They tasted good but the wrapper bursting was awful.

[Brooks W]

The 2008 and the2009 are not even close to the same blend...while I agree the 2008 was not worth the money charged, the 2009 is a MUCH better cigar, both in flavors and construction...

-brooks

[amsgpwarrior]

The 2008's were a decent smoke, but I wouldn't have paid the money for the experience. Luckily I got mine through generous friends on the forums. The wrappers would bust when they were getting close to the band when burned. I don't remember the 2008 being offered through the tranche system, but the 2009's seemed to be very well priced if they are better than the 2008's.

I got a box of both sizes already via the 1st tranche.

These cigars are all about the concept of single farm (like single vineyard) and single vintage (like wine vintages) akin to releasing Bordeaux futures int he wine industry. If you don't like the concept than I would stay away from these. But I buy Bordeaux futures, so this concept is pretty familiar and the chances of getting crappy product is always there.

[Adriftpanda]

I agree with Brooks 100%. The 2009 Verites compared to 08, nothing a like. Although I do enjoy 08 very much so, the 09 just blows the 08 out of the water.

I had the chance to smoke this cigar about 4 months ago, thanks to Adam (TG).