There were only two of Pete Johnson's standard Tatuaje creations I had yet to try by the middle of August.  That was quickly rectified by a quick visit to The Market in Dayton.  They had stocked the El Triunfador and the La Riqueza (which roughly translates to the wealth of Spain), which is one of Pete's top-shelf selections.  I was like a kid in a candy store.  I snagged a Belicoso Fino as my choice as they only had a short robusto and petit corona which are a bit too small for my liking.

Construction:  Absolutely flawless with a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper than just shines with oils.  This is the kind of cigar that makes an aficionado drool.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw:  I noticed a nice sweet tobacco and honey-like aroma to this beauty as I pulled it from the cellophane.  After clipping the pointed foot I noticed, as I have with every Tatuaje, a perfect wide open draw.  The flavors I tasted before lighting were cedar and again that honely-like tobacco.  Always a good sign.  Tatuaje uses extremely high quality tobacco for the binder and filler in all of their lines except the P Series (review also coming).  My expectations were high.

Light and Burn: After blazing this beauty up with a wooden cigar match - my preference unless a strip of cedar is present - the La Riqueza really came to life.  Another fine example of the light it and forget it cigar smoking.  It produces a rock solid light gray ash with a perfectly even burn and I only touched it up at the nub because I didn't want to put it out.

Tasting:  Lots of complexity here as usual.  I nice spicy start with a deep coffee and woody note that follows the cigar from start to finish was the name of the game with this cigar.  It does lack the mystery flavor that many Don Pepin blends exhibit but this is really a good thing.  The La Riqueza is a delcious cigar that, I believe, was designed as the cap on a fancy dinner or a successful round of golf (which I play horribly).  One of the real amazing things about this cigar is the aroma of the smoke it spits out -  which is copious and beautiful.  It smells terrific.  I believe my Mom would still wrinkle her nose as she usually does when I am smoking around her, but  if you were smoking this at, say, a festival or other crowded venue, the vast majority of passers-by might actually do a double take to see where the nice smell is coming from.

Value: The La Riqueza runs around $10.  Not overly extravagant by any means and worth every red cent.

Final Thoughts: This is the brand I was most excited to try after the incredible Cabaiguan I had smoked at the beginning of Summer.  The first sampling I tried was not as stellar as I had been hoping for but as is the norm for an avid cigar smoker, you always go back for more...and I am extremely pleased I did.  This is a beautiful cigar that just makes the mouth water looking at it....and of course during the smoke as smoking promotes salivation.  I can honestly say that I highly recommend this cigar.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf USA
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Strength:  Medium to full

Size:  5.5x52

An absolute beauty!  The oily supple wrapper just begs you to light it up