Let's talk about this Nicaraguan puro that's been turning heads since 2012. The L'Atelier LAT54 Robusto comes in boxes of 15 sticks priced at $135 - not bad for something rolled at My Father's factory with that signature pigtail cap. At 5⅝" x 54 ring gauge, it's your classic robusto size packing Nicaraguan filler tobaccos and an Ecuadorian wrapper. Pete Johnson went experimental here, blending Sancti Spiritus tobacco (that Criollo/Pelo de Oro hybrid) for extra kick.
Cold draw gives earth and damp cedar. Initial puffs explode with black pepper that'll clear your sinuses - classic Nicaraguan wake-up call. The smoke feels denser than most Tatuajes, coating your palate with leather and dark roast coffee. Burn line stays razor-sharp if you keep humidity below 65%.
Pepper mellows into baking spices around the inch mark. Cocoa powder emerges alongside charred oak notes. Watch for occasional nicotine surges - this blend uses Sancti Spiritus leaves that pack more punch than standard Criollo.
Last third gets meaty with savory umami notes. Some detect soy sauce undertones beneath the lingering espresso bitterness. Retrohales get spicy again, but never harsh. Tap off before the nub unless you want your head spinning.
The triple cap holds firm even in dry conditions. Box-pressed samples tend to draw tighter - use your perfect draw tool on these. Maduro wrappers show some color variation but maintain oily sheen. Best smoked ROTT (right off the truck) or with minimal aging to preserve that edgy character Pete Johnson intended.
