Tatuaje Cojonu 2003

Cojonu is Tatuaje's "ballsy" line — the name comes from Cuban slang for strength — and the 2003 is the original, a thick 6 1/2 x 52 Toro that kicked off a series Pete Johnson planned to revisit every three years. It's become one of the brand's most beloved big-ring smokes.

What it tastes like

This is a full-bodied cigar dressed in a savory Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over an all-Nicaraguan core. (The earliest releases used a Nicaraguan wrapper before settling on the Ecuadorian Habano leaf.) Expect earth and coffee at the core, framed by cedar, a firm black-pepper spine, and a thread of cocoa, finishing long and creamy. The generous ring gauge keeps the smoke cool and the burn slow, giving the rich flavors plenty of room. Construction, courtesy of the García family, is first-rate.

Who it's for

The full strength and big body make the Cojonu 2003 a cigar for experienced smokers and aficionados — newcomers should work up to it. Smoke it after a hearty meal with an espresso, bourbon, or aged rum. As a flagship Nicaraguan-cored powerhouse, it's a great fit for our Cuban vs Nicaraguan comparison, and the cigar strength guide is worth a read before you commit.

Smoking a piece of Tatuaje history? Log and rate it in the Casa DNC app.