Tatuaje Cigars

Brand History

Founded by Pete Johnson in collaboration with legendary Master Blender Don ‘Pepin’ Garcia, this brand completely revolutionized the boutique market by producing small-batch gems at Tabacalera Cubana S.A. (TACUBA) in Estelí, Nicaragua, and El Rey de Los Habanos in Miami. This dual-factory approach allows them to harness authentic Nicaraguan terroir alongside traditional Cuban rolling techniques, ensuring every wrapper and binder is treated with absolute reverence. What sets this operation apart is their unyielding dedication to structural integrity, guaranteeing that a seasoned cigar roller constructs each stick without a single weak spot.

The overarching flavor profile of these factory-fresh releases leans heavily into rich, Cubanesque territory, typically ranging from medium to full strength depending on the specific blend. Smokers frequently report deep tasting notes of dark cocoa, rugged leather, and black pepper, often driven by high-quality Nicaraguan fillers loaded with potent ligero leaves. Even in their milder offerings wrapped in golden Connecticut shades, the burn remains incredibly consistent, delivering complex layers of earth and sweet spices that never overwhelm the palate.

A fascinating fact about the company is the origin of its name, which perfectly captures the rebel spirit of its founder. The word “Tatuaje” translates directly to “tattoo” in Spanish, serving as a distinct nod to the extensive ink covering Pete Johnson’s arms. This edgy yet deeply traditional approach perfectly mirrors what happens inside the aging room, seamlessly blending modern boutique branding with old-world tobacco traditions. 

Featured Blends & Ratings

L’Atelier: This medium-to-full strength smoke features an Ecuadorian Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler, delivering bold-tasting notes of dried fruit and earth. Available in sizes such as Robusto, Toro, and Petit Corona.

L’Atelier El Suelo: Packing a medium-to-full strength, it utilizes an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper with Nicaraguan internals to produce earthy tasting notes of pepper and cedar. Produced in Gordo, Torpedo, Robusto, and Short Panatela vitolas.

L’Atelier Selection Speciale: Delivering a full strength profile, this blend wraps an Oscuro Ecuadorian leaf around Nicaraguan guts for heavy tasting notes of espresso and dark chocolate. Offered in Robusto, Toro, and Gordo dimensions.

L’Atelier Trocadero: This mild-to-medium strength cigar pairs an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with Nicaraguan fillers, providing creamy-tasting notes of roasted nuts and hay. Commonly available in Gordo, Corona, and Robusto sizes.

La Mission du L’Atelier: Offering a medium-to-full strength, it showcases a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over Nicaraguan binders and fillers for rich tasting notes of black pepper and dark cocoa. This blend comes in Toro, Robusto, and Corona sizes.

Surrogates: Standing as a full-strength and assorted powerhouse, it features a premium selection of Ecuador, Sumatra, Habano, Oscuro, Connecticut Broadleaf, Mexico San Andres, and Maduro wrappers. Beneath these outer leaves, a robust Nicaraguan binder secures a core of matching Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, generating heavy tasting notes of earth, molasses, and spice. Select from Robusto, Perfecto, Lonsdale, Churchill, Belicoso, Gordo, and Short Panatela size

Tatuaje 20th Anniversary: Delivering a medium strength, this celebratory stick uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan internals for complex tasting notes of cedar, leather, and mild spice. Manufactured in Corona Grande or Toro sizes.

Tatuaje Avion: Packing a full-strength punch, it utilizes an Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler, yielding tasting notes of dark roasted coffee and black pepper. This blend consistently earns ratings above 88 points from Cigar Aficionado. Available in Perfecto Vitola.

Tatuaje Black Label: Offering a full-strength profile, this Nicaraguan puro features a criollo sun-grown Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and filler for robust tasting notes of heavy earth and spice. This blend has earned between 90 and 92 points from Cigar Aficionado. Produced in Corona Gorda, Lonsdale, Petit Corona, Robusto, and Toro vitolas.

Tatuaje Cabaiguan: This medium-strength smoke pairs an Ecuadorian Connecticut Broadleaf and Maduro wrapper with Nicaraguan fillers, providing smooth-tasting notes of cream, cedar, and subtle pepper. Offered in Robusto, Belicoso, Corona, Corona Grande, Petit Corona, Toro, Churchill, and Rothschild dimensions.

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Guapos: Delivering a medium strength, it utilizes an Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler for tasting notes of toasted almond and earth. This blend includes cigars rated above 92 points by Cigar Aficionado. Commonly available in Corona Grande, Petit Corona, Robusto, and Toro sizes.

Tatuaje El Triunfador: Providing a medium strength, it features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan internals, generating rich tasting notes of sweet cocoa and leather. This blend comes in Petite Robusto,  Lancero, and Robusto dimension.

Tatuaje Fausto: Standing as a full-strength beast, it uses a dark Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper over dense Nicaraguan fillers for tasting notes of dark chocolate, pepper, and earth. This blend has earned more than 85 points from Cigar Aficionado. Select from Robusto or Toro Vitola.

Tatuaje Havana VI: Offering a medium strength, this blend wraps a reddish Ecuadorian leaf around Nicaraguan guts to produce tasting notes of cinnamon, earth, and cedar. This blend consistently earns ratings above 85 points from Cigar Aficionado. Manufactured in Churchill, Petit Corona, Torpedo, Gordo, Corona Gorda, Robusto, and Panatela sizes.

Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu: Packing a medium strength, it features a higher-priming Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan insides for spicy tasting notes of red pepper and oak. This blend has earned between 88 and 90 points from Cigar Aficionado. Available in sizes such as Toro, Lonsdale, Robusto, Petit Corona, and Torpedo.

Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu Blue: Delivering a medium-to-full strength, this Nicaraguan puro utilizes a Corojo ’99 wrapper for bold tasting notes of baking spice, leather, and wood. Cigars in this blend have earned more than 88 points from Cigar Aficionado. Produced in Toro or Robusto vitolas.

Tatuaje ME II: This full-strength release features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler, providing intense tasting notes of espresso, earth, and black pepper. Offered in Belicoso, Churchill, Toro, or Robusto dimensions.

Tatuaje Miami: Offering a full-strength profile, this classic utilizes an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan internals for tasting notes of rich cedar, leather, and spice. This blend regularly scores above 90 points from Cigar Aficionado. Commonly available in Torpedo, Toro, Corona, Presidente, Lancero, Panatela, Gordo, Lonsdale, Corona Gorda, Short Robusto, Churchill, Robusto, and Perfecto vitolas

Tatuaje Negociant Monopole: Providing a medium strength, it pairs an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a Mexican San Andrés binder and Nicaraguan filler, generating tasting notes of vanilla and roasted nuts. This blend has earned more than 88 points from Cigar Aficionado. This blend comes in Robusto, Belicoso, Toro, and Petit Corona dimensions.

Tatuaje Nuevitas: Delivering a medium strength, this Nicaraguan puro features a Corojo ’99 wrapper over Nicaraguan insides for earthy tasting notes of sweet tobacco and cedar. This blend consistently earns ratings above 86 points from Cigar Aficionado. Select from Robusto or Toro size.

Tatuaje RC Series: Packing a full strength profile, it utilizes an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan filler, yielding heavy tasting notes of pepper, leather, and dark fruit. This blend has earned between 89 and 91 points from Cigar Aficionado. Manufactured in Robusto, Toro, and Petite Robusto sizes.

Tatuaje Reserva Broadleaf: This medium-to-full strength smoke features a rugged Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler for robust tasting notes of dark cocoa and molasses. Cigars in this blend have earned more than 89  points from Cigar Aficionado. Available in sizes such as Robusto, Toro, Lancero, Corona Gorda, Churchill, and Torpedo.

Tatuaje Reserva Nicaragua (Brown Label): Offering a medium strength, this Nicaraguan puro delivers a perfectly balanced draw with tasting notes of cedar, cinnamon, and mild earth. This blend includes cigars rated above 84 points by Cigar Aficionado. Produced in Perfecto, Torpedo, Petit Corona, Panatela, Corona, Robusto, and Toro Vitolas.

Tatuaje Series P: Providing a medium strength, this mixed-filler smoke utilizes an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over Nicaraguan cuts for reliable tasting notes of earth and mild spice. Commonly available in Robusto, Short Robusto, and Toro size.

Tatuaje Skinny Monsters: Delivering a medium to medium-full strength profile, these special releases showcase a diverse collection of premium wrappers—including Ecuador, Habano, Maduro, Mexico San Andres, Connecticut Broadleaf, Sumatra, Sancti Spiritus, Criollo, Sun Grown, and Ecuador Connecticut leaves. These diverse crowns envelope a robust Nicaraguan binder and filler core, generating distinct tasting notes of dark chocolate and pepper. Handcrafted in Nicaragua, this all-natural, handmade lineup offers a unique experience across each monster-themed vitola. This blend comes in Panatela Vitola.

Tatuaje Tattoo: This medium-strength daily smoke pairs an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and filler, providing smooth-tasting notes of cocoa, nougat, and mild earth. This blend has earned between 85 and 92 points from Cigar Aficionado. Select from Toro, Torpedo, Robusto, Petite Robusto, and Short Panatela sizes.

Tatuaje Samplers: These assortments range from medium to full strength, featuring various wrappers and Nicaraguan fillers that provide a complete spectrum of the factory’s tasting notes. Offered in Robusto, Toro, Belicoso, Panatela, Lancero, and assorted dimensions.