Cigars from boutique brand Tatuaje have an incredibly loyal following and for good reason. Known for their Cuban-style flavors, rich spices, and earthy profiles, they continue to extend their premium cigar selection with both core lines and limited edition smokes.

Founded by Pete Johnson, one of the most gifted cigar makers on the planet, the company’s portfolio is a cigar smokers dream that oozes with peerless construction and consistency.

Today, we are taking a closer look at one of Tatuaje’s VI lines, often referred to as the ‘Red Label’. The Havana VI was created in 2006 with half a dozen vitolas to choose from (hence the Roman numeral). It was Tatuaje’s first cigar produced in Nicaragua at the cigarmaking powerhouse – My Father Cigar Factory.

Crafted in collaboration with the Garcia family, the core line of this blend now has seven vitolas in its armory. There have also been some variations in limited releases, such as the Havana VI Verocu, but let’s switch our attention back to this medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro and see if it managed to light a fire in my soul.

Cigar Specs

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Strength: Medium
• Wrapper: Habana Ecuador
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Smoke Time: 90-95 minutes
• Sizes Available:
  • Angeles (4.6 x 42)
  • Artistas (6.12 x 52)
  • Gorditos (5.5 x 56)
  • Nobles-Robusto (5 x 50)
  • Victorias (6 x 38)

How is the cigar constructed?

Made in the traditional Havana style, including a triple cap, the Havana VI has a softer blend than the Tatuaje Miami because it uses volado leaf in the filler instead of Ligero. The all-Nicaraguan blend is complemented by a deep reddish-brown and slightly oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The wrapper is the wrath of flavor – a quick whiff, and my nostrils are ripe with barnyard and wet hay aromas.

Sometimes the beauty of a cigar is in its simplicity. Like the blend, the red and white branding stray away from trying to be overcomplicated. The band duplicates the classic Cabinet band in red, hence the ‘red label’ connotations. To the eye, this could seem rather underwhelming, but just the slightest peep of the Tatuaje name is enough to make me tingle with anticipation. 

What I made of the cold draw

After trimming the Cuban-style cap, I commenced with the pre-light draw. There was a healthy nod of black pepper followed by a light caramel sweetness that came from the wrapper. It’s a solid if not spectacular cold draw, but still enough to get me itching. I toasted the foot and started puffing away.

What I thought to the cigar’s flavors

When Johnson works in such close consultation with José Garcia, there’s often a robust undertone of spice that dominates the palate. The cigar had plenty of kick and peppery character, but it’s impossible to overlook the subtle nuances that energized the overall smoking experience. These included hints of creamy cedar, lemon zest, and a peculiar aroma of gingerbread.

It’s no surprise this is one of Tatuaje’s most popular lines. Many stogie enthusiasts will turn to this as their bread-and-butter cigar, in particular when it comes to delivering solid flavors, without overpowering you.

First third

Generous layers of smoke poured off the foot from the off. There’s a pepper blast to start that has the Garcia name stamped all over it, but its potency is nowhere enough to floor me.

The middle section of the first third is where the Havana VI really showcases its delicately poised flavor profile. Some of the caramel sweetness from the dry draw emerges, along with notes of cedar, leather, and nuts. It created a unique spicy sweetness that ended up checking in for the night.

Second third

By the halfway mark, a woody element had crept into the profile, but the flavors remained fairly coherent. The spiciness was still pirouetting on the reverse of my tongue, but it’s still the intricate flavors accompanying the pepper that are pulling out all the stops.

Final third

Hello, black coffee, my old friend. I was certainly in no rush for a caffeine hit at this stage, but this bitter note meant the tobacco took on a dark, rich, and earthy flavor.

It’s a little more complex than what’s gone before, but that sweet spice (with the addition of what I can only describe as sticky gingerbread) is still wreaking systematic chaos on my senses.

How strong is the Tatuaje VI?

Many of the flavors, such as the dark tobacco and pepper, crossed over to medium-full, which meant that the medium strength of the stick really allowed the perfectly balanced tapestry of deliciousness to shine.

I also feel it my duty to point out the flawlessness of the burn – it was straight and even all the way down to the firm and cool nub. The draw was also exceptional and never once went off-piste.

Final thoughts

You can’t help but smile when you smoke the Tatuaje Havana VI cigars. With its Cuban-esque vibe, it delivers pleasant flavors throughout and represents sensational value when you also factor in the top-notch craftsmanship.

It makes for the perfect “any time of the day” smoke for the experienced cigar enthusiast. It’s another Tatuaje line that I will undoubtedly find myself gravitating towards in the not too distant future.