When it comes to cigars that have a serious reputation of being among the best of the best and the most sought after by collectors or serious aficionados, one of the cigars that continues to make the list is the Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin.
This cigar was originally released as a store exclusive for Gloucester Street Cigars in Boston, Massachusetts in 2010. This is the same store where the Pork Chop and the Monster Series were born. Unfortunately, it is no longer open. Last year right before the 2025 PCA Trade Show, Pete Johnson started to confirm rumors that the Pork Tenderloin was being re-released. It was not on display at the show as Pete felt that due to the hype, it would take away from the various other releases he wanted to showcase.
The cigars come wrapped in authentic butcher paper with the Tatuaje word mark logo all over it and a butcher style label with the cigar details and price, just like a bundle of meat might look at the store after it is wrapped up at the counter. Inside the paper, the cigars are bundled in a plastic wrap and the cigars themselves are wrapped cellophane. Each bundle contains twenty-five cigars. The original release of these cigars was wrapped in a similar fashion but was slightly more basic in terms of the details on the packaging. For example, the original butcher paper was plain white with “pork tenderloin” hand written with black marker on the back and the cigars had no bands. The 2025 release features basic red and white bands.
Under the Lid
- Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
- Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Size: 5 1/8 Inches
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Vitola: Robusto Extra
- MSRP: $13 (Bundles of 25, $325)
- Release Date: May 2025
- Production: 5,000 Bundles of 25 Cigars (125,000 Cigars)
One thing I will say before we get into this review is that I have smoked the original release and it was absolutely amazing. But this is still a different cigar in terms of it is a re-release that hasn’t been in constant production so I will treat it as such but I will compare them.
On the original release, the wrapper was much lighter in color compared to the wrapper on this cigar, which is much darker and has a nice ground espresso color to it. The wrapper has a drier texture and is slightly toothy yet smooth at the same time. Most of the veins are flat and subtle, but there are a couple of small raised ones which are mostly on one side of the cigar. This cigar, like the original, also has a closed foot so there will be a blast of wrapper upon lighting.
Pre Light
Cold draw is dry and earthy, with cocoa powder being the prominent flavor. There is also some nice sweet fruitiness to it as well. The draw itself is perfect, not too tight and not too loose.
First Third
Upon lighting, that closed foot shines. There is pepper on the front of the tongue and a buttery salty flavor in the back, reminiscent of movie theater popcorn fresh out of the hopper. As I continue smoking, the pepper starts to reach the back of my throat and it’s intense but enjoyable and to be honest, it’s what I expected. Once that extra wrapper from the closed foot burns away it does cool down slightly as the rest of the cigar begins to really burn in and let its own flavor and body take the stage. The cigar is also putting off plenty of smoke production and the ash is a nice bright white color.
Second Third
The pepper notes from the beginning continue to remain into the second third and even some of the buttery finish. However at this point, some bakers chocolate and black truffle make their way into the mix. These are more secondary flavor notes that dance around the dominant pepper and salty butter notes upfront. Construction has been excellent so far as the cigar continues to burn well through all three samples. I haven’t had any relights or any other problems with this cigar.
Final Third
When I get into the final leg of this cigar, the flavor intensity triples, giving way to a deep rich heavy char while also leaving room for a smooth peppery finish. This is a full bodied cigar all the way through, there is no doubt about that. I did not nub this cigar but then again, I almost never nub any cigars. If you have been reading my reviews, you may or may not have picked up on that. Some reviewers do and some don’t but it comes down to personal preference. This cigar ran slightly hot towards the end, or rather hotter than I would have expected and wanted it to. A little bit of a bitter citrus taste in my mouth often rounded off the other wise solid profile the final third had. Overall, it was a great finish.
Smoking Experience
Overall, this cigar was great and while it might not have been as great as the original that I smoked, that doesn’t mean that this one had no legs to stand on. Consistent with the Tatuaje flavor profiles and the consistency of the My Father Cigars S.A. quality, this cigar was an ace across the board. No problems with construction or burn, the flavor kept me engaged and excited and the strength…let’s just say don’t start your day with this cigar unless you are used to that kind of thing.
It was everything I wanted from a broadleaf cigar from Tatuaje which happens to be a personal favorite combination for me. Certain brands have certain tobaccos or even just wrappers for me that I think are my favorite. For example with Perdomo, it is anything they do in sun grown wrappers. For Tatuaje, it has always been Broadleaf although – I have to admit something. In the last two years, the Corojo offerings that Pete has released are really beginning to push for a change in that preference, but time will tell if it does.
Smokin Facts
- Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin is a re-release of a limited store exclusive
- This cigar was made at My Father Cigars S.A. in Nicaragua
- Cigars have been resting since release last year
- Cigars were purchased by Smokin Tabacco
Purchase recommendation: Buy enough for the entire barbecue (Bundle Buy)
Smokin Wrap
Cigars Smoked for the Review: Three
Average smoking time: One Hour and Thirty-Four Minutes
