Deciding to change things up a little bit this week, I reached into my 2011 Saints & Sinners smoker’s kit and pulled out the Tatuaje Proto 2. According to the exclusive overview published by our friend Jay over at CigarPhoto.net, the Proto 2 is the original unreleased blend of La Casita Criolla. Unlike the final version which sports 100% broadleaf inside & out, the prototype featured the same wrapper but included Nicaraguan tobacco in the binder and Mexican & Nicaraguan tobaccos in the filler, in addition to the broadleaf.
What we have with the Proto 2 is a glimpse into the cigar blending process. 2011 members of The SnS Club were able to smoke a work in progress: a step along the way to what we now know as La Casita Criolla. This offered a special appeal to me, seeing as how fond I am of the final product. What would I think of the prototype? How would the flavor profile change between the two versions? Which would I prefer?
Tatuaje Proto 2 by the numbers:
Vitola: corona gorda
Size: 5.625×44 (est.)
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua, USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Mexico, Nicaragua, USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Strength: Medium
Factory: My Father Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua
No. smoked for review: 1 (first impressions)
Duration: 75 minutes
Source: purchased by the reviewer (part of the 2011 Saints & Sinners smoker’s kit)
MSRP: N/A
Website: www.thesnsclub.com
Twitter: @iamcasper
(Video length: 8:54)
Soundtrack: “Hidden Blues” by Pitx ft. rocavaco http://ccmixter.org/files/Pitx/27007
is licensed under a Creative Commons license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Ultimately, I think Pete made the right decision with the final version of LCC. While I definitely enjoyed the Proto 2, La Casita burns better and has a deeper, richer, earthier flavor profile. Plus, by going with a 100% broadleaf blend, the final product offers a certain uniqueness that many cigar smokers can appreciate. Still, I found this to be an interesting and enjoyable opportunity to sneak a peak into the process behind the creation of a cigar I love. With that in mind, I look forward to finding our what’s in store with the 2012 Saints & Sinners cigar kit…
Great review Charlie. Do you like the Siners and Saints club? I’m not a member but I know a lot of guys are do you think its worth it?
Really great review! I’d love to see more videos from you, Charlie. Maybe some smaller cigars while the heat is so bad, lol.
I think it’s fun to smoke cigars like this. It’s why I like LEs too, just gives you a chance to try something different or alternate versions of cigars I like.
S&S FTW!
great review charlie. I am pretty shure the regular production still has the mexican in the filler i dont think its a 100% broadleaf smoke. Although i could be wrong it has happend before
According to the Tatuaje website (http://www.tatuajecigars.com/site/smokes/smokes.php?line=La%20Casita%20Criolla):
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: 100% Broadleaf
Binder:?100% Broadleaf
Filler:?100% Broadleaf
The LCC is a 100% broadleaf cigar, inside & out.
Great review Charlie! You are really hitting your stride with review videos.
I am well into the second third of an LCC this evening as I listen to the coyotes howl in the Colorado Rockies after a nice rain shower. I am a definite Tat fan and the LCC is really growing on me. All broadleaf all the time, baby!
Would love to know why Pete changed the blend, anybody know?
Why did he change the blend? Probably because it wasn’t yet where he wanted it to be. Blending a cigar is very often a long process with lots of different versions created along the way until you arrive at exactly what you want.
Sorry charlie you are correct i got some bad info on that.
Charlie,
Thanks for the mention, pal !
Great job, as always !