Stogie Reviews: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 1 (Exclusivo Lado Occidental)
Monday, April 28th, 2008
As I was smoking my first Verocu No. 1, I recalled a great line quoted by Bill Schmidt 20 years ago in the New York Times. Schmidt was writing about Alabama’s storied Dreamland Drive-Inn Bar-B-Cue and noted that one of the women dining with him said, “These ribs make your tongue want to slap your brains out.” Substitute “cigars” for “ribs” and it’s a perfect description of how I felt.
I recently wrote about how much I enjoyed the Verocu No. 2 — the eastern version of this limited edition Havana VI — and was excited when I got a chance to pick up a few of the longer and slimmer western variety.
My advice is not to pass up a chance to smoke either one. Or, preferably, both. These Nicaraguan puros, produced by Pepin Garcia for Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje line, may not have the prettiest wrappers and you may not find a razor-sharp burn, but you will get a complex, tasty, medium-bodied cigar that produces smoke worthy of a five-alarm fire. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to smoke and choose a setting that permits you the opportunity to concentrate on the cigar to fully appreciate the abundant and changing flavors.
I’d be hard pressed to pick one over the other. The western may get the edge for me, though, just because I prefer its slightly smaller ring gauge: six and 1/4 inches with a 52 ring gauge compared to five and 1/2 inches and a 54 ring gauge.
Don’t, however, wait too long. I’m told that what’s available now is all that there will be. You shouldn’t miss it. Like the eastern Verocu No. 2, I give the No. 1 a perfect five out of five stogies.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Maybe this is a stupid question, George, but what’s the deal with this east-west stuff? Is Tatuaje trying to confuse me?
Also, how does this price compare to the No. 2?
Don Carlos, I believe they are priced about the same.
I didn’t get a chance to try the East Coast, but the West Coast was awesome. I agree that it is 5 out of 5.
I picked them up at MJM (http://mjmfinec.ipower.com/index.html) a local shop I’ve written about. It was during a Tatuaje event, so there was a deal to get some extras when you bought, I think, five. If I recall correctly, his retail price was $8.95 or, maybe, $9.95, for each. You can e-mail or call Mike at MJM to inquire about ordering.
Oops, Don, I forget to address your first question. I think the East and West editions are just an homage to the fairly recent Cuban practice of releasing special blends for certain countries.
eh, good cigar but 5 out of 5? just a solid 4 for me… But you seem to really rate the pepin stuff high…
I have a hard time picking one over the other. I think the East Coast is a bit stronger than the West Coast, but I don’t think I could like either any better. Definitely both are favorites and I try to make sure my humidor is fully stocked with both. Great smokes! Thanks for your great site. Keep up the good work.
[...] raved about the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 1 and No. 2 and explored the effects of aging cigars. So this is a little update combining the [...]
[...] raved about the Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 1 and No. 2 and explored the effects of aging cigars. So this is a little update combining the [...]
Весьма тонко подмечено. В чем-то даже себя узнал
Весьма тонко подмечено. В чем-то себя узнал
Да уж Пока это у нас не очень сильно развито, так что придётся чуть подождать.
[...] P uses the same filler as Tatuaje’s medium-bodied Havana VI line (we’ve reviewed the Verocu No. 1 and No. 2 vitolas) , but at less than half the price—around $3.75 [...]
Спасибо за ответы на все вопросы
Реально узнал много нового. Правда до конца так и не разобрался что и откуда.
Статья очень понравилась! Этакий короткий микс практических знаний. Хоть и “зажгли лампу среди белого дня”:)