El Rey de los Habanos is easy to miss. The narrow cigar factory is located on Miami's historic Calle Ocho, or 8th Street, and it has only about a dozen rolling tables, about 10 of which are occupied by Spanish-speaking Cuban rollers who carefully craft dark cigars with impeccable precision. This is the home of the Tatuaje brand. The factory doesn't make many Tatuajes -- the facility is small to begin with, and Tatuaje isn't the only brand made here -- but those that are created are intensely flavorful, made with three-seam caps in the style of Cuban cigars and packed with hearty, leathery Nicaraguan leaf that gives them a most Cubanesque flavor. The Taino, a 7 5/8 by 49 cigar, is particularly exceptional, with earthy, spicy flavors and a full body.
MADE BY: El Rey de los Habanos, Havana Cellars
FACTORY LOCATION: U.S.A.
WRAPPER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
PRICE: $12.00
2005 PRODUCTION: 7,400
RATING: 93