Tatuaje Exclusive Series Tobacco Plaza DD Reserva (Wet Pack): Cigar Review
June 11, 2012
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf, USA
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Vitola: Belicoso
Size: 6 ¼ Inches
Ring Gauge: 58
Release Date: April 2012
MSRP: $13.75/ single or $137.50/ box
The Tatuaje Exclusive Series Tobacco Plaza DD Reserva (Wet Pack) is the follow up release to the original Tatuaje Tobacco Plaza DD which was first released in March 2012. This was another Tatuaje single store release to commemorate Tobacco Plaza’s 40th year in business. This second release was launched on Danny “Double D” Ditkowich’s birthday, one of the partners at Tobacco Plaza of Great Neck, NY. It was released in 500, 10 count boxes/release (10,000 cigars total).
The second release, or the Reserva’s are unbanded and the box has a “Reserva” label across a corner of the box. This is the only way to distinguish the 2 different releases. Everything about both releases is the same except for one intricate step in the aging process. The Reserva’s have been “wet packed” in foil. Here is a brief description on the “wet packing” process:
The tobacco used to roll cigars, especially the wrapper, is moistened during the rolling process to make it supple and pliable in order to tightly wrap the wrapper around the cigar. Normally, the finished cigars are then put aside to dry out a bit & allow some of the excess moisture to evaporate. During this rest period some ammonia is released as part of the aging process and the tobacco is allowed to stabilize. This process is designed to allow the cigars to dry out & speed up the maturation process so they can be boxed and shipped reasonably quickly and be ready to smoke by the time they reach the consumer.
Wet-packing cigars is a process where these freshly rolled “wet” cigars are put directly into sealed foil packing. This retards the fermentation process to some degree and some suggest allows for longer term aging and a stronger more distinct flavor in the end product. Other opinions are that the process evolved out of necessity as some cigar manufacturers began to “wet” pack cigars in order to move them out of the aging rooms more quickly and make room for new product that they didn’t have the room for. The process actually originated in Cuba where they sometimes placed wet rolled cigars in burlap bags to slow the fermentation process.
Now let’s get down to the cigar. The “Double D” is a massive 6 ¼ x 58 Belicoso with a rich, oily, dark brown broadleaf wrapper. The first thing you notice when you pick up this cigar is its mass. The sheer weight of the cigar lets you know the tobacco is really packed in there. This Belicoso sports a closed or covered foot which reminds me of the Tatuaje TAA release from 2011. The wrapper has some veins present, firm when gently squeezed, and very toothy with flecks of gold that Pete Johnson, owner of Tatuaje, attributes to the high mineral content in the soil where the wrapper is grown.
The pre-light cold draw of the Double D offers up some sweet tobacco notes, tea leaves and earthiness which is to be expected from the broadleaf.
Immediately upon combustion the strength of the cigar attacks you. There is a slight bitterness that tells us this is still young, perhaps a result of the “wet packing”. There are very strong pure tobacco flavors of leather and earth. During the retro-hale, one can detect hints of pepper and woodiness. As the Double D warms up, nearing the end of the first third, cocoa takes center stage with a nutty almond like finish. The ash is holding firm and goes from medium gray at the foot to a beautiful light gray. The burn line is very even and clean.
Now entering the second third, the cigar has come together nicely. The flavor profile has melded together with cocoa leading the way with hints of dark roast coffee and nuts. The flavors are getting smoother and more prevalent with no pepper to be found. The draw is excellent with a nice thick billowy smoke. You still pick up the eathy flavors and the grittiness that you get from the wrapper, but every flavor is working in harmony. The ash held on for a little over two inches, nearing the end of the second third. The flavors and strength have definitely settled down. What started off like a “bat outta hell” is now a nice, smooth, rich, full bodied smoke, yet still on the lighter side of full bodied, and not nearly as strong as I was expecting it to be. The cigar has burned flawlessly thus far.
The final third of the Double D is now a tamed beast. What was once ferocious is no more. I am actually surprised how mellow this has become. There are only subtle undertones left of sweet tobacco with a dry nutty finish and the slightest bit of cedar. The burn has been excellent through out the whole smoke and required no touch ups.
Final thoughts: I enjoyed this cigar and find it to be one of the better single store releases from Tatuaje. One can’t help compare it to its sibling, the first release (banded version). The Tobacco Plaza DD Reserva starts off stronger and fresher with more pronounced in your face flavors, which seem to mellow out and fade as the cigar progresses while the first release starts off slower and takes longer for the flavors and strength to develop. I was anticipating the Reserva to be the stronger of the 2 releases, but it was actually much milder. By no means is this a mild cigar. For me it starts off a very strong full, gradually falling into a light full to the higher end of medium. They are very box purchase worthy. The strength and complexity are there and should only get better with age and appeal to a broader range of smokers.
Final Smoking Time: Just under 2 hours
Score: 90
The Tatuaje Tobacco Plaza DD Reserva (Wet Pack)
Can be purchased by visiting:
http://tobaccoplaza.myshopify.com/index.html or by calling (516) 829-7134
Reviewed by Ian Goldbaum, follow him on twitter @MrFrancophileNY …Rate this review.
Not sure yet if I’m liking this change on the site.
Ian, another exceptional review! i had one of the early DD’s, and look forward to trying the wet packs. this has nailed it for me. thanks.
Nice review Ian. It is interesting that you find this to be the milder of the two.
I was very surprised myself
Nice review. I’ve enjoyed almost a full box of the first release. So much for aging. I’m tempted to add a reserva box to my lil monsters order.
Please don’t become like the other bloggers. You have a great site here, don’t ruin it.
Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I definitely dig it and will personally recommend to my friends.
Love the review, hope you have more coming. This site is now complete.
Thank you to all who have left comments. I truly appreciate all the feed back. I am doing these reviews because I am passionate about cigars and the cigar industry. My goal is to share my cigar experiences and tasting notes. I am not a blogger looking for any kind of hand out or special treatment. I pay for all of my cigars and will only review a cigar that I feel people should seek out and try. I’m not trying to waste my time or yours, the reader, smoking a cigar that I do not enjoy so I can give it a bad review. You will not see any cigar with a rating below 80. You probably wont see many reviews over a 95 either for that matter.
Thanks again
IG
Great review Ian. It’s a pleasure to read reviews by people I think have a similar palate and taste preference. It is definitly a factor in helping me figure out if I am going to make a purchase or not. I trust your palate and appreciate your honest opinions. Keep up the good work. Are there any more wet pack DDs available?
Ian,
Thanks for the review brother. Due to the way you described your experience with this well blended cigar. I traveled down to Tobacco Plaza in Long Island, NY from the Bronx with two of my comrades. I must admit the cigar was worth the trip. I bought a whole box! (I’m a beginner but not a first timer). She at the shop I met and befriended some awesome crew who share the passion. Must admityou were on the money with the cigar. Its wonderful aromas and taste. I enjoyed all 2 1/2 hours of this bold flavor. Best of all was the calmness and relaxed mood that the Tatuaje DD left me with. Thanks to you I’ve found a wonderful cigar and people I can join in with on all the fun.
Much thanks.