Cigar Review: La Riqueza No. 1

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Alrighty! I’ve been looking forward to smoking this for awhile and it’s time to get it done!! I’ve had this in the humidor for far too long and being that it’s a beautiful day to sit on my porch and light one up… well, I’m lighting up. The La Riqueza is another Don Pepin blend that’s rolled by his factory for Pete Johnson of Tatuaje. Measuring in at 6 1/2×42, the binder and filler are Nicaraguan tobaccos while the wrapper is a “naturally dark USA Connecticut Broadleaf.” Let’s get it on!!

Appearance: You can tell that it’s a Connecticut broadleaf by its roll.  It doesn’t take many wraps to get this, the biggest of the line, fully wrapped in its leaf.  There’s no tooth and slight veins.  The wrap is well done and the ever-present triple cap is smooth and flawless too.  The band is indistinct but is almost a throwback to bands of old.

Taste: This cigar is not shy.  The flavors come rolling in on the first drag and coat your palate well.  A strong leather comes first and a spice that immediately heads to the back of your throat to rest for a bit.  After the first inch and a half, it mellows out a tad and some woodiness comes forward, sending the spice and leather to the background.  About another inch into it, the leather comes back up.  It keeps changing back and forth making for a nice, interesting cigar that will hold your taste buds for a good while.  Towards the end it will turn a little bitter if you don’t ease up on it, but this is just a great tasting cigar.

Aroma: Holding this to my nose, I didn’t get much of a scent from it.  I was able to detect what seemed like a mild cinnamon when I smelled the foot before lighting.  The smoke itself has a light sweet woody scent that’s very pleasing.

Construction: Being a 42rg, it’s not surprising that the draw is a little tight.  For the flavor you get with smaller ring gauges, though, it’s worth it.  It burns well and burns slowly.  You’ll want to make sure that you don’t puff away too quickly on this, even if you want to get as much flavor out of it as you can.  Thick plumes of smoke with every draw delighted me.  The ash was flaky and I wouldn’t let it get beyond a half-inch lest I chose to wear it, but it’s a minor detraction.

Overall Impression: First, I like smaller ring gauges.  I think they’re more flavorful than their larger counterparts.  This cigar doesn’t disappoint in the flavor arena.  A medium-bodied smoke once it settles, this is still a full-flavor cigar that should be a staple in anyone’s humidor.  At $9 a stick, it’s on the higher side, but if I’m going to spend that much on one stick, this would be one I’d reach for.  Of all the sticks I’ve had from Tatuaje, this has been my favorite.

Scott had reviewed the La Riqueza No. 3 before and it scored just as high.  There’s something to be said about La Riqueza, and I figure it should all be good.

Cigar Rating:

Related posts:

1. Cigar Review: Tatuaje Classic Regios

1. 

   tobacmon says:

   April 23, 2009 at 12:15 pm

   Pete Johnson has some great ideas and a few great blends–I enjoy his stuff very much!