Cigar Review: Tatuaje Ambos Mundos Habano

Posted by Toasted on Nov 10, 2010 in Reviews | 1 comment

Size: 5×50, Robusto #1

Wrapper: Habano Ecuadorian

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Strength: Medium

Price: Box of 25, $101.95

Grade: 8.9

The Ambos Mundos, translates Two Worlds and is a lower cost blend from Pete Johnson of Tatuaje. The cigar is blended and constructed in the Cuban tradition in Nicaragua. This blend is available with two different Ecuadorian wrappers, a Habano and a Sumatra. Don Pepin Garcia is head of this blend and as a fan of his and Pete’s smokes, I was pretty excited to fire this one up for review on one of the frosty nights here in Georgia. The cigar is available in three sizes: Toro (6×50), Robusto (5×50), and Grande. (5.5×56).

You can follow Pete on Twitter, and visit Tatuaje online.

Today we are reviewing the Robusto, so on with it.

Pre-light, 1.7:
The light to medium brown wrapper is rugged and there are a few veins present. The Ambos Mundo is well packed for the most part, though it is a bit spongy towards the shoulder of the smoke. The label is very straightforward and fits the idea of a solid smoke and a good price; the simplicity reminds me a bit of Pepin’s Tabacos Baez. The pre-light aroma is of leather, earth, and a bit of mild spice at the foot. I did not pick up a lot of notes on the cold draw but I did get a tickle of spice on the back of the throat.

Burn, 1.7:
The burn on the Ambos Mundos is solid, with a good draw for the duration of the smoke. The ash held well for the most part but was a bit flaky after the first inch and a half fell off. The cigar did not require any touch ups or re-lights.

Flavor, 2.7:
The first draw on the Ambos Mundos has a really unique, earthy note with a touch of spice on the lips. Moving into the first third, the profile remains the same as the first puff but at about ¾ of an inch in, the spice does increase. The second third is a combination of earth, nutty tobacco, and spice. At the halfway point of the smoke, the spice increases a bit more. The spice is not heavy but it just lingers a bit more on the finish. The last third stays the course and the cigar is very tasty until the end.

Overall, 2.8:
The Ambos Mundos, at around four dollars a smoke, is a good buy for fans of Pete Johnson and Don Pepin Garcia. The profile is not complex, but it is very flavorful. I will say that I have had both wrappers and I did enjoy the Sumatra more; it seemed to have a touch more of the Pete Johnson and Don Pepin kick or complexity. At any rate, as stated earlier, it is a solid buy for fans of Pete Johnson.

(Total: 8.9)