Tatuaje Anarchy NFT Edition
Some cigars have pedigree, others have mystique—and a rare few have both. The Tatuaje Anarchy NFT Edition is one such cigar. A collaboration between Pete Johnson of Tatuaje and Smoke Inn, this exclusive reimagining of the original 2010 Anarchy release was crafted for a limited NFT project, with only a handful of digital tokens granting access to the physical cigars. Rolled at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, this cigar features a dark and alluring Nicaraguan wrapper over all-Nicaraguan binder and filler. Sporting a band that pairs anarchy with high-tech holography, this cigar could just as easily be called Punk with a Passport. The vitola is a tapered 6 1/8 x 48–52 figurado—reminiscent in shape to the Andalusian Bull, but with a personality all its own. The result is a cigar of refined construction and rare expression. For me, this wasn’t just a coveted smoke—it was a gift from my fiancée on my birthday last year. One of those thoughtful, affirming gestures that quietly says, “You deserve something special.”
Pre-Light Impressions
From the first glance, the cigar feels like a work of art. The wrapper is rich and dark, with a soft, smooth texture and elegant, natural veining—unpolished in a way that feels authentic rather than rustic. A massive coiled pigtail cap commands attention, matched only by the weight and symmetry of the roll. The aroma off the wrapper is subtle—earthy and leathery—but dignified. Cold draw reveals clear, vivid leather, like a new pair of dress shoes, backed by a gentle sweetness that hints at honey or molasses. The construction is flawless, and the cut is clean and centered. This cigar feels engineered, not just assembled.
First Third
The draw is absolutely perfect—smooth with just a touch of resistance. For all its aggressive name and dark appearance, the cigar opens with surprising restraint. Deep flavors are present but nuanced. The finish offers a subtle sweetness evocative of thick, dark wheat bread with honey. Retrohale reveals a warm, cider-like spice—maybe clove or cinnamon—aromatic and balanced. The burn line is sharp, the ash holds firm, and the overall feel is like a high-end sports car: immense power, but all under precise control.
Second Third
As the burn line tapers toward the narrower frame, intensity begins to rise. The profile deepens into oak, leather, and spice—like a rock song adding bass and drums to the guitar that opened the track. At one point, it feels like reaching the crest of a roller coaster—flavor building with tension, and the plunge imminent. The cigar holds back just long enough to heighten the anticipation before releasing its full voice. The retrohale sharpens into dry white pepper, but remains smooth and deliberate. Midway through, I take a sip of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel bourbon, and the pairing absolutely sings—suddenly there’s a burst of red apple on the olfaction system that’s never shown up so clearly in this bottle before. The cigar begins giving off flashes of white chocolate, then leather again, then subtle wood. The ash breaks off clean with a firm “click,” and the band peels away in a single elegant motion. Every little detail speaks to intentionality and craftsmanship.
Final Third
The final third begins like a storm cresting: this is the lightning and thunder movement added to the wind and rain. The cigar intensifies without becoming harsh. Charred wood, bold pepper, and deep leather dominate the palate. The sweetness has all but disappeared—until, suddenly, one blast of cotton candy sweetness shows up in the retrohale, then vanishes like a lightning flash in the dark of night. It’s a fleeting, perfect moment. Retrohales continue to deliver white pepper in dry, precise bursts. The cigar never loses balance. It never becomes bitter. It’s not fading out—it’s building, right up to the final draw. Like a storm that began with a sprinkle and ended with a crashing crescendo.
Conclusion
It’s hard to believe this is the same cigar I lit up at the start. The flavor arc is immense, but coherent. This cigar was never about brute force. It was about potential, precision, and progression—about building intensity with discipline. It never overreaches. It never collapses. It simply arrives, one layer at a time.
Tatuaje remains my second favorite cigar brand after Padron, but in terms of breadth, it is undoubtedly number one. Pete Johnson has created a universe of blends that explore every corner of the cigar map. From the Cojonu 2003 to the L’Atelier, from the Monster Series to the Cabaiguan—there’s range, depth, and character in spades. This Anarchy NFT Edition may be the most impressive of them all.
A lightning storm. A rock crescendo. A slow reveal. A gift of love.
This is a cigar I’ll never forget.
The Retrohale Score: A (93)
Deep, rich, and full-bodied with excellent transitions and undeniable personality.
