Tatuaje

Tatuaje is a premium boutique cigar brand renowned for its Cuban-inspired blends and exceptional craftsmanship, created by the heavily tattooed former heavy metal musician Pete Johnson. The brand has earned a cult-like following among cigar enthusiasts for its traditional approach to cigar making, combining Old World Cuban techniques with modern Nicaraguan tobacco cultivation. Known for producing limited-edition releases and special collaborations, Tatuaje represents the intersection of rock-and-roll authenticity and premium cigar artistry. The brand's distinctive aesthetic and uncompromising quality have made it one of the most sought-after names in the boutique cigar market, consistently earning high ratings from industry publications.

Background

Tatuaje Cigars was founded by Pete Johnson in 2003, emerging from Johnson's passion for Cuban cigars and his unique background as a former heavy metal musician. Prior to entering the cigar scene, Pete had dreams of being discovered in the rock music scene of Los Angeles. But in 1993 he left the touring lifestyle, taking a job at the Grand Havana Room tobacconist in Beverly Hills. When setting out to craft a cigar of his own, Johnson was later introduced to José "Don Pepín" García, an awarded Cuban torcedor that had recently established his own boutique in Miami's famed Little Havana neighborhood. Johnson found that García was capable of showcasing the edgy profile he was seeking, while simultaneously maintaining a traditional backbone, reminiscent of the custom-rolled Cuban cigars Pete had grown fond of during his time at Grand Havana Room. Johnson had always had the idea of launching a cigar brand, yet it wasn't until a meeting in 2003 with Cuban-born cigarmaker Pepin Garcia that Johnson's dream would be realized. Garcia presented Johnson with numerous blends, yet none seemed the right choice for his first cigar offering. Finally, Garcia asked Johnson what kind of cigars he was after, so Johnson handed him a Cuban cigar he enjoyed. Garcia set about blending and rolling a cigar to match, and Johnson finally had the perfect cigars to call his own.

History

Pete started having cigars made for him in 2003, with the following year in the October, 2004, issue of Cigar Aficionado, their Tatuaje Cabinet Especiales was given the remarkably high rating of 90 and the brand was officially on the map. Every week I would pick up a new account, slowly, slowly, slowly, and I walked into the trade show in 2006 with 125 accounts, and I walked out with 350. Over the years, Pete Johnson and the García family have worked together nearly exclusively, with Tatuaje considered one of the major influences for today's boutique cigar movement. The brand has evolved from Johnson's hobby into one of the most respected names in premium cigars, consistently earning critical acclaim and industry recognition.

Reputation

Today, Tatuaje is one of the hottest cigar brands in America, with numerous scores of 90 points and higher. Pete Johnson's Tatuaje or "Tattoo" cigars have grown from small boutique upstarts to some of the most sought-after cigars in the world today. His cigars have racked up high points and kudos in this magazine, including a most recent ranking of No. 13 in the magazine's Top 25 cigars of 2008 for the Cabaiguan Guapo (92 points). Cigars from Tatuaje have an incredibly loyal following as does its creator, Mr. Pete Johnson. The brand is particularly celebrated for maintaining authenticity and traditional craftsmanship while building a distinctive identity in the competitive premium cigar market.