l’atelier

Up for review today is the L’Atelier Mad 54, another cigar from Tatuaje. The L’Atelier Maduro line was originally released in 2013, roughly a year after L’Atelier Imports was first spotted at IPCPR 2012.

This cigar in particular has received high praise from respected reviewers, so I’m excited to take it for a test drive.

On to the review.

Product Specifics

• Cigar Reviewed: L’Atelier MAD 54
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
• Binder: Sancti Spiritus, Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Size: 5 1/2 x 54

Appearance & Construction

The L’Atelier Mad 54 sports a dark, toothy Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper which plays quite nicely off of the white and reflective gold band. The cigar is slightly springy when squeezed and is packed evenly down the length of the cigar. Smelling the foot, I get a blast of pepper, salt, cedar, and steak rub. Very Pepin!

The pre light draw is lightly restrictive, probably a 5/10 on the draw scale, and reveals warm, earthy tones of cocoa and oak.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Mad 40 kicks off with a blast of pepper, hickory, charcoal, and sweet creaminess. Really interesting combo. Smoke production is excellent, and the retrohale is medium in strength and reflects the charcoal and oak from the palate.

An inch in, the ash is holding strong, though the burn is wavy. The ash is almost entirely white and could be mistaken for the band itself. The retrohale is now much stronger, and the sweetness on the palate has moved to the back seat, putting the charcoal and pepper in the spotlight. This profile is enjoyable, but I can’t help feeling that it could have a bit more finesse and complexity.

At halfway, my wish is granted, at least as far as complexity goes. On top of the charcoal and oak, I pick up some Fuente-like vegetal notes and a musty kind of texture. Still, the cigar is a bit much, with the charcoal and bitter chocolate notes acting as a barrier to finesse that would otherwise be present.

Entering the final third, the smoke heats up a bit, and the retrohale moves from black pepper to a generic spiciness. The palate is still dominated by bitter chocolate and charcoal. Enjoyable, yes, but not balanced, which makes me wonder if a slightly larger ring gauge would suite this blend more.

Conclusion

The latelier mad54 had some very enjoyable moments, particularly in the second third. The smoke is extremely rich and decently complex, but struggles to find a balance between the heavy charcoal and and the sweeter notes. This would make a great cigar after a heavy steak dinner. Even then, though, I think there are better options even for that occasion.

Final Score: 86

Up for review today is the La Mission by L’Atelier. I’ve never considered myself a big fan of Tatuaje cigars, but I’ve been surprised by how consistent and enjoyable I’ve found L’Atelier blends to be. La Mission was launched in 2015, and since then has built quite a reputation among enthusiasts and cigar reviewers alike as a phenomenal cigar. Part of that, I’d assume, is because La Mission features a Mexican San Andreas wrapper, known for producing rich, sweet, and balanced (if a touch dry) smoke.

Now on to the review.

Product Specifics

• Product Reviewed: La Mission de L’Atelier 1989
• Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 5 5/8 x 54

Appearance & Construction

La Mission is one of those cigars that oozes elegance and panache. The label is one of the most beautiful that I’ve seen. The gold, black, white and red contrast well and make quite a statement without being gaudy. Props to L’Atelier for that.

The cigar itself is a dark chocolate brown, within minimal veins and a bit of toothiness. Off of the foot are aromas of dry cedar and coffee. The pre light draw has the perfect amount of restrictiveness and I pick up some wood and earth notes.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

It only takes two puffs for me to know this will be a very enjoyable smoke. This cigar has a really interesting opening flavor profile, with some traditional San Andreas Maduro notes (dark chocolate, burnt espresso), but paired with those notes are really enjoyable notes of leather and molassas. The cigar produces tons of medium bodied smoke, making flavors that much easier to experience and discern.

At an inch in, the strength of the cigar has backed down a bit, with some of the toasty edge subsiding. At the same time, a smooth milk chocolate note emerges that is complemented by touches of cedar and creaminess. Construction is nearly perfect, with a solid gray ash and a straight burn line.

As the cigar progresses in to the second third, the chocolate notes back down and a dominant white pepper note emerges on the palate (while, interestingly, all but disappearing on the retrohale). Construction remains perfect.

At this point, I’m really enjoying the La Mission and can already give it a positive recommendation.

In the final third, the cigar remains a medium in terms of strength and body. The flavor profile is a balanced mix of chocolate, leather, some toasty woodiness, and white pepper. The flavors keep cruising with this profile until the cigar winds down (at the nub).

Overall, very enjoyable.

Conclusion

La Mission may be my favorite cigar from L’Atelier that I’ve smoked yet. At ~$8 per cigar, it has a quality/price ratio that’s impossible to ignore. Do yourself a favor and pick up a fiver.

Final Score: 91