Like the antagonist of the Friday the Thirteenth films, it's back for a re-smoke!  The JV13 by Tatuaje popped up last October as part of the Monster Series that Pete puts out every year.  I smoked my way through the Mini Monsters prior to the big release last Fall, and to be honest the JV13 was at the time, I thought, a little harsh and raw.  Additionally, I thought that it showed signs of brilliance - of what it would become.  Because of this cigar there were some rather heated debates going on around the web about aging/resting cigars in your humidor before smoking them.... There were folks saying that Pete was forced to rush the JV13 and it didn't get the aging it needed, there were folks screaming that it was already aged and resting wouldn't help, and there were those saying that resting it would improve it.  I was of the latter persuasion.    Oh sure, there are those that are probably rolling their eyes or slamming their hands down saying resting be damned, just smoke it.  I am not about to get that fight started again.  This is a re-review of a fine cigar that has undeniably improved since it first showed up on shelves.  And with that, here I go....

Construction: A huge double corona size (bigger than a churchill) monstrosity, the JV13 is deep brown with dark spots here and there and a couple of veins around the seams.  The wrapper leaf is dry in appearance and the cigar feels very light in hand.  Even with a light weight and open draw, it is a pretty long smoke.  I estimate 45 minutes per third.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane, which is just starting to show hints of yellow, I get coffee, oak, and some leather - same as before.  There are substantial sweet tobacco and cocoa flavors on a cold draw...a draw that is perfect, by the way.

Light and Burn: A couple of matches fires this thing right up....like Jason Voorhees soaked in gas.

Tasting: After sitting in perfect humidity for about 5 months, the flavors of the JV13 have really married well.    The smoke output is tremendous and the starting flavors are heavy in the earth, black coffee, and hefty leather areas.  I get black pepper and hints of vanilla along the way too.  A lot of the same flavors I noted on Halloween last year, in short....But this time around has smoothed things out considerably.

The second third gives up loads of earth, leather, oak, and some cedar as before, but it has developed a nice cocoa and coffee sweetness.  It is much much softer this go around too.  And therein lies the true magic of resting this cigar.  When it first came out, the middle of the cigar was rather harsh and unrefined.  Giving it a few months has done wonders.  It is smooth and much more mellow now.  As the middle third passes I get a nice caramel sweetness.  Mixed with a highly aromatic smoke, the flavors just make a masterpiece of this cigar.

The final third offers up a heavier leather and coffee which pair together with a hefty amount of cedar spice to close this cigar out nicely.  This re-smoke puts me on the edge of my seat for the Monster Series release this year.  Simply outstanding.

Value: At $13, the JV13 is well priced for such a great limited release.

Final Thoughts: Okay - rather you choose to rest your cigars or not, there is no denying that the JV13 is an amazing smoke.  I sold one of my buddies on smoking one while I was doing this review too and he loved every second of it.  Pete Johnson is amazing.  I have never disliked anything of his that I have tried.  If you haven't jumped on the Tatuaje Super Chief, you should.  It's a train full of awesomeness.  Highly recommended even more five months later.  Keep in mind that  the Monster Series is very limited in availability and highly sought after so if you find them, hoard them.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Strength: Full

Size: 7.5 x 52