El Triunfador releases an exceptionally rich character due to its dark and oily Habano Rosado wrapper that conceals a mild to medium-bodied, full-flavored mixture of premium Nicaraguan long leaves.

Most of Tatuaje's cigar production is overseen by Pepin Garcia, who incorporates traditional Cuban-style blending and rolling methods into every stick. For this reason, each Tatuaje cigar combusts perfectly due to the "entubado" style in which the filler is bunched and rolled together, allowing all aspects of the tobacco’s flavor to be tasted with each puff. Perfectly constructed, each stick shows almost no veins and comes finished with an authentic triple cap. Tatuaje has become a "go-to" brand for the most discerning aficionados worldwide, due to the brand's limited, unique blends and consistent flavor and construction.

Developed by Pete Johnson and rolled by Pepin Garcia, it's hard to overlook this newcomer to the Tatuaje line. The initial light produces full-flavors that engulf the palate with dense smoke. Naturally, the blend builds from the start but this Tatuaje actually creates a sweet nuance on the finish while remaining smooth throuhgout. For those of you searching for a full-flavored yet mild Tatuaje, El Triunfador is it.

Q: What is a salt test?

A: Great question. In the cigar world, a 'salt test' refers to a method used to check your hygrometer's accuracy in determining proper humidity. When salt is mixed with distilled water, it naturally creates 75% humidity after a period of 24 hours. Therefore, if you feel your analog or digital hygrometer is not working properly, you can perform a salt test to determine if it is faulty and or recalibrate it.

To perfom this test, simply take a soda or beer bottle cap and fill it half full with salt. Add a couple drops of distilled water to the salt, but only enough to make it moist, not "soupy." Place your hygrometer and the cap filled with salt in a plastic zip-lock bag and seal it. After 24 hours, you can be guaranteed the humidity inside the bag will be 75% and can then determine if your hygrometer needs replaced or adjusted.

Avo Limited Edition '10 - As the absolute strongest, most robust cigar in the line up, Avo Limited Edition '10 comes in a special 5.5"x55 vitola and features a hearty Mexican Sumatra-seed binder that surrounds a strong blend of Dominican ligeros.

El Triunfador by Tatuaje - Releases an exceptionally rich character due to its dark and oily Habano Rosado wrapper that conceals a mild to medium-bodied, full-flavored mixture of premium Nicaraguan long leaves.

Don Tomas Sungrown - Don Tomas Sungrown features a complex blend of premium Honduran tobaccos and sports a toothy, robust Sungrown wrapper to create a medium-bodied blend perfect to enjoy eveyday.

5 Vegas Triple-A - Combines tobaccos from Nicaragua's top growing regions with an oily broadleaf maduro wrapper to create a full-bodied array of complex flavors guaranteed to stimulate your palate for hours of enjoyment.

A great tasting, limited Nicaraguan puro, Limitada 2010 features an aged Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and 100% Nicaraguan long fillers to create a zesty, full-bodied blend that's to die for. Easily one of the best 5 Vegas cigars made to date.

Every year aficionados wait in anticipation for the annual release of 5 Vegas Limitada, and this year the release has become even more limited. No two blends have ever been the same, and each release is a combination of premium fillers aged at least five years. The result is a cigar comprised of tobacco from as many as five countries, making it complex, flavorful and dynamic with multiple layers of flavor with every puff.

Limitada 2010 is the only Nicaraguan puro in the entire 5 Vegas portfolio. It features a thick, oily Habano wrapper that imparts a leathery rich character from start to finish. The complex blend of Nicaraguan fillers includes Cuban-seed tobaccos, creating tons of delicious complexities with a slightly sweet nuance in the aftertaste. Furthermore, you can't think of 5 Vegas Limitada 2010 without remembering its unique packaging. Not one cigar box in the industry compares to Limitada 2010, an artist's masterpiece sporting the 5 Vegas '5' logo and weighs nearly 15 pounds!

Belicoso (6.2"x52) Fails to disappoint in every way, this is one excellent cigar. Incredibly well balanced with super rich flavors mixed with a spicy undertone that's complex and satisfying. Builds in strength and becomes quite robust towards the finish. Leaves an oily feel on the palate and the smoke is thick, creamy and filled with tons of competing aromas. Great blend. 90/100 [Buy Now]

06/02/2010: Join Alex and Tim as they review a very special cigar from Drew Estate known as the Dirty Rat. Part of the Liga Privada line, this special vitola really impresses Tim and literally blows Alex's skirt up. No, I have no idea why Alex is wearing a skirt. [Watch Now]

Cigar.com (CC): Anibal, what was your first job in the cigar industry and when?

Anibal Salinas (AS): I began 48 years ago, back in 1962. I did everything from working with bales of tobacco to fermentation to the tobacco selection process.

CC: They say you rolled the first cigar in Nicaragua. Is that statement true and can you tell us a little more about that?

AS: I actually rolled my first cigar in Honduras, which is where I got my start in the industry. I was not a torcedor at first, but they saw potential in me and gave me a chance to prove myself. I then used my skills to train some of the very first torcedores in Nicaragua.

CC: Who else have you worked with in the cigar industry?

AS: Most notably, I worked with Julio Eiroa, Orlando Padron, Claudio Pintor and of course Nestor Plasencia. My relationship with Nestor is much more than just professional, he is like family to me. I've known Nestor since I was a young fellow and I always admired his passion for tobacco. I remember watching him work and thinking to myself, “I would not mind working for Nestor for the rest of my life,” and that is in fact what I did up to the day I retired.

CC: Of all of the jobs you've ever had, which has been your favorite?

AS: I really enjoyed all of my jobs but blending cigars is my favorite. I love combining tobaccos from different places and exploring their characteristics and complex flavors with the goal of making something very unique and special. I've been blending now for more than 30 years and I think it's what I do best.

CC: What do you think some of the biggest changes have been over the course of your career as it relates to what enthusiasts enjoy today versus what they enjoyed 40 years ago?

AS: The biggest difference is the diversity in the blends currently on the market these days. Over the last 50 years, cigar enthusiasts have become more demanding and the factories have to keep up with high expectations for variety, strength and flavor. One of the most important changes in today’s consumer is their taste for full-bodied cigars.

CC: You came out of retirement this year to work on the new 5 Vegas Gold Maduro. What made you change your mind and return to the cigar industry?

AS: I received a call from Nestor earlier this year. He asked me to come back because he needed help on a very important project that I later learned was 5 Vegas Gold Maduro. When I got the call, I couldn't refuse. I owe Nestor and besides, I was eager to get my hands dirty again. It was an honor being asked to get involved with the new maduro.

CC: Speaking of 5 Vegas Gold Maduro, it´s an amazing cigar. What is the secret of that particular blend?

AS: A lot of people have many favorites, but I can say without reservation that 5 Vegas Gold Maduro is one of the best blends I have ever made. I like it because of the variety of leaves that go into the blend. Each individual leaf is so unique and brings such important things to the end product. It's like a symphony, with each instrument playing its part of a much larger ensemble. Many people find the cigar medium-bodied, but for me it is full yet well balanced and very complex.

CC: With 5 Vegas Gold Maduro complete, what's next? Are you working on any new blends?

AS: Well, we are now working on new blends using a new variety of tobacco grown in Brazil from Habano seeds. This wrapper was not around when I retired but it caught my eye almost immediately.

CC: Anibal, thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me today. Is there anything you would like to add before we wrap up?

AS: Just a thank you to all of the enthusiasts out there who are trying my latest blends. I'm so happy being back at my rolling table working with the Plasencia family again!