Vitola: Toro- 5.75” x 50 ring gauge
- MSRP ~$10
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
Tatuaje Cigars released the original Mexican Experiment in 2012 as a very limited production cigar. Pete Johnson had not used Mexican wrapper leaf much before that time and this particular release was limited to some stores around Florida and New England. It achieved a certain level of cult status, like many other Tatuaje limited releases, but I never did get my hands on one at the time.
Earlier this year, Pete announced that he would be re-releasing the Mexican Experiment (ME) in four vitolas, again as a limited release, along with a new regular release, the Mexican Experiment II (ME II) in the same four sizes. The Mexican Experiment uses Nicaraguan filler and binder, along with a Mexican San Andres wrapper leaf.
I was able to get 2 samples each of ME and ME II Toros at Burns where I work (along with 1 or 2 ME IIs in other sizes) for this review (and the ME II review that will follow soon). This review is based on the second sample of the Mexican Experiment 2019 that I smoked.
Prelight
The Mexican Experiment came in simple, cellophane-wrapped bundles with simple bands consisting of white background, red and green trim and black type and logo. It’s a simple look of some of the older Tatuaje limited releases and is a nice throwback, reminding you that it’s not a “new” release.
The wrapper was a medium-dark brown, slightly darker than a milk chocolate, and it had a slightly oiliness with a very earthy aroma, with a bit of the Mexican bitter note that I have gotten used to and a bit of cedar. The foot of the cigar had a more barnyard earthiness with touches of cocoa powder and espresso bean.
After cutting, the cold draw was good and tasted of cedar and semi-sweet cocoa powder and earth.
Flavor
The Mexican Experiment started with earth and unsweetened cocoa powder, along with the (for me, anyway) classic Mexican dry chalkiness. Coffee followed after that, adding a touch of bitterness. The finish had some bell pepper and grassiness. The retrohale had some black pepper heat and more coffee bean.
The second third of the ME continued medium-plus in body with increasing amounts of cocoa powder while the dry chalk texture slowly disappeared. There was still coffee as a secondary note and a slight sweetness.
The last third was earthier with slowly dissipating cocoa powder and just a tiny bit of pepper on the palate. The retrohale was woody and nutty with another dash of pepper.
Construction
The ME had a good draw, very even burn line and solid ash.
Value
Good price for a limited release product, especially one that performed as well as this.
Conclusions
Tatuaje’s 2019 release of the Mexican Experiment turned out to be a really nice cigar, displaying some of the gritty earthiness of San Andres wrapper leaf, although with more smooth refinement than in some blends. I liked it and would smoke it again, although I already know from several ME IIs that I’ve smoked that I enjoy the newer blend more. Still, this is a very good example of a medium-bodied Nicaraguan blend with a Mexican wrapper.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
