Cigar aficionados everywhere mourned the loss of Tatuaje Nuevitas when it was taken off the market in 2007. But you can't keep a good smoke down, and 11 years later it was back, revamped, relaunched, and re-released in three vitolas.

The result is better than ever, a premium cigar rolled at Pepin Garcia's My Father Cigars SA factory in Esteli and delivering plenty of Nicaraguan promise with locally grown binder and filler tobaccos, all wrapped up in a Corojo '99 leaf.

In this Tatuaje Nuevitas cigar review, I'll take a closer look at the flavor profile of this medium-full cigar, breaking it down into the traditional three-thirds. But first I'll look at the origins of this Nicaraguan legend.

Once you've finished reading my Tatuaje Nuevitas cigar review below, why not take a closer look at this stick?

Cigar Specs

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: My Father Cigars SA, Esteli
• Wrapper: Corojo '99
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Sizes available:
  • Tatuaje Nuevitas Esteli (5 x 52)
  • Tatuaje Nuevitas Jibaro No. 1 (5 x 54)
  • Tatuaje Nuevitas Jibaro No. 2 (6 x 52)

An introduction to Tatuaje Cigars

Before production moved to My Father Cigars SA, the original Tatuaje Nuevitas was made at Tabacalera Tropical in Nicaragua. Since 2018 it has been shipped from My Father Cigars SA, a sign of the close collaboration between Tatuaje owner and master blender Pete Johnson, and My Father's CEO and all-time legendary tobacconist Don Jose 'Pepin' Garcia.

Tatuaje combines Johnson's passions for travel, music, fashion, wine, and of course, cigars. Tatuaje Nuevitas can be bought in singles or in boxes, so you can try one of each vitola before deciding which to buy in bulk to stock up your humidor.

What to expect from the Nuevitas Esteli

The Tatuaje Nuevitas Esteli is the smallest of the three vitolas, measuring 5 x 52. In comparison, Tatuaje Nuevitas Jibaro No. 1 is a slightly fatter 5 x 54 stick, while Tatuaje Nuevitas Jibaro No. 2 carries an extra inch of length at 6 x 52.

Esteli is considered the more 'refined' of the three, while the two Jibaro vitolas bring a little more strength. There's also a big difference in box size, with Esteli shipping in cartons of 25, while both Jibaros come in boxes of 50.

How are the cigars constructed?

A masterful blend of aged Nicaraguan tobaccos is all wrapped up in a Corojo '99 wrapper and a colorful band. The band is printed orange on white for the Esteli vitola, while the colors are reversed, white on orange, for both Jibaros.

The wrapper is impressively smooth and masterfully rolled. Dark chocolate brown, with only a few visible veins, it's a cigar that's almost as satisfying to look at as it is to light - although not quite.

My thoughts on the cold draw

Cedar and spices give the Esteli quite a light cold draw, but one that offers enough to start the tongue-tingling in anticipation. The cedar will remain throughout the smoking experience, so the cold draw really helps to set the scene for everything the smoke will deliver.

Flavors I enjoyed from this cigar

Make no mistake, Tatuaje Nuevitas Esteli is every bit as good as this cigar was back in the early 2000s. Sweet, spiced, and cedar-like, its flavors will have you falling in love before you even reach the retro-hale.

First third

Pepper, baking spices and wood are the star trio of the first third. Savor the retro-hale, which amp up the spices and white pepper notes, as well as bringing more of the cedar wood to the fore.

Second third

The middle third is hard to pin down. Those classic pumpkin spices are still apparent, combined with a sweetness and a hint of fruit. In this third, Esteli has been called everything from dessert-like, to a tasting of mulled fruit wine. There's also a charred taste and taken together, the flavor profile is deep, rich, and intoxicating.

Final third

Nuts and chocolate are among the flavors that emerge during the last third of the stick. Again, the overall flavor profile is rich but smooth, and you won't want to snub out your Esteli until the burn line reaches your fingertips. Make it last a little longer by taking your time with the retro-hale, which promises sweetness and still more of that cedar.

Thoughts on the strength and body

Tatuaje Nuevitas is medium body and medium-full strength. But that really doesn't tell the whole story, as once you light it up, this stick completely transports you away to an almost dreamlike state, with its pungent smoke combining baking spices, sweetness, cedarwood, and fruit. Esteli is considered the more refined vitola, or for the full hit, opt for either of the Jibaros.

In conclusion

Like reconnecting with an old friend, Tatuaje Nuevitas is back and better than ever. Its enforced absence has only added to the appreciation for this masterful handmade cigar, a true testament to the shared expertise of Johnson and Garcia. Buy Esteli now in boxes of 25, or Jibaro No. 1 and No. 2 in boxes of 50.