Continuing our IPCPR 2011 reviews, today we take a look at the Tatuaje Avion. Avion is box-pressed perfecto that is a one vitola extension of the Fausto blend. The blend for Fausto and Avion is based off of the Tatuaje T110 that was a limited release for R.Field Wine Co. in Honolulu, HI in 2009.

In a recent Stogie Review IPCPR video, Pete Johnson described the blend as:

high power, high strength but balanced on the palate, full in your stomach but soft and sweet on your palate…

The plan for Avion is to release one new size each year for three years and all three will remain in regular production, just like Fausto. Each size will be named for the year of its release with this year’s being Avion ’11. Avion come in boxes of twenty and the MSRP is $9.95 each.

The sizes for Fausto and Avion are:

  • FT127 — 5 x 54
  • FT140 — 5 1/2 x 52
  • FT153 — 6 x 50
  • FT166 — 6 1/2 x 48
  • Avion ’11 — 6 3/4 x 48/52

90 Overall Score

I really enjoyed this cigar. Out of the variations of the Thermonuclear blend this is probably my favorite and the score reflects that. The spice never seems out of balance and what results is a very powerful cigar that also has a nice amount of nuance and complexity. I think Pete definitely has a winner on his hands and I am glad to see these as a regular production cigar. This cigar will have a spot in my rotation but won't be a daily smoke as I rarely smoke cigars that are this strong. If you are someone who prefers strong Nicaraguan cigars the Avion is a must try.

Tatuaje Avion '11 1.png

  • Cigar Reviewed: Tatuaje Avion ’11
  • Country of Origin: Nicaragua
  • Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
  • Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: 6 3/4 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 48/52
  • Vitola: Perfecto Grande
  • MSRP: $9.95 (Boxes of 20, $199.00)
  • Release Date: August 2011
  • Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 1

Due to its appearance, the Avion didn’t remind me very much of the T110. With the difference in branding and the change in vitola, visually they seem like totally different cigars. However, as soon as I smelled the wrapper flavor memories from the T110 immediately raced to the foreground. The Avion has the same very pungent aroma of leather and peppercorn that the T110s I’ve smoked had. At the foot the only noticeable aroma is that of dry hay. Visually the cigar is quite striking with a moderate amount of oil and a wrapper that is surprisingly smooth give the number of prominent veins.

Avion surprised me at the beginning because it didn’t open up with the same blast of pepper that I remember the T110 having. Rather, the Avion opens up with a combination of leather and earth with just a slight hint of spice on the tongue at the very end of the finish. There is an ample amount of creamy smoke and at this point the smoke was pretty smooth even through the nose. Just as the cigar is burning past the perfecto tip is when the spice really begins to amp up.

Tatuaje Avion '11 2.png

Moving into the Second Third the spice is there although the intensity of it ebbs and flows. There is also a slight hint of cocoa on the finish along with leather and an earthy sweetness. The cigar does need a little touching up from time to time, but not so much that it detracts from the experience. The ash holds pretty consistently for about an inch at a time.

Tatuaje Avion '11 3.png

Moving into the Final Third I’m enjoying the cigar but wishing that it was over. The heat index is at 101 degrees and this is definitely not the cigar for a hot day. The flavors remain consistent but meander just enough to maintain my interest. In the last inch of the cigar the spice reaches its peak and at this point is very reminiscent of the T110.

Tatuaje Avion '11 4.png

Final Notes

  • While I have enjoyed the T110s that I have smoked I have always felt like the spice overpowered the other flavors at times. With the Avion this is not the case. The spice is sometimes the predominant flavor but its not so overblown that you lose the rest of the flavors.
  • Visually this is a winner. The branding is gorgeous and the vitola is interesting. I’m glad that the experience backs up the expectations that you have when you look at it.
  • I’ll be interested to see what the other two vitolas of the Avion line end up being. Hopefully, they’ll be as interesting as this one is.
  • If you want to know more about the other cigars that have featured a variation of this blend check out our reviews of the Fausto and T110.
  • This is about as strong a cigar as you will find. I’d say it’s full-flavored and full+ in strength.
  • The Final Smoke Time was right at two hours.
  • If you want any of the Tatuaje Avions, the best place to get them is our sponsors of course! Call Mark at Tower Cigars at (916) 443-8466, Hal at Empire Cigars at (919) 870-0081 or Jeff at Tobacco Grove at (763) 494-6688, and tell them we sent you!
90 Overall Score

I really enjoyed this cigar. Out of the variations of the Thermonuclear blend this is probably my favorite and the score reflects that. The spice never seems out of balance and what results is a very powerful cigar that also has a nice amount of nuance and complexity. I think Pete definitely has a winner on his hands and I am glad to see these as a regular production cigar. This cigar will have a spot in my rotation but won't be a daily smoke as I rarely smoke cigars that are this strong. If you are someone who prefers strong Nicaraguan cigars the Avion is a must try.

patrickmize

Patrick Mize wrote for SmokingStogie and took part in setting up halfwheel through the latter stages of 2011. Unfortunately, due to his new job, Patrick was forced to stop cigar blogging. Before his time at SmokingStogie, Patrick wrote for StogieGuys.com.