Tatuaje Fausto

Tatuaje Fausto

The Tatuaje Fausto represents Pete Johnson’s boldest expression within his core lineup, a full-bodied Nicaraguan powerhouse crafted at the legendary My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí under the watchful guidance of Don Pepin Garcia. Released in 2011 as an evolution of the original T110 blend (where “T” stood for “thermonuclear”), the Fausto takes its name from an old discontinued Cuban brand, embracing both historical reverence and modern intensity. Wrapped in dark Ecuadorian Habano Maduro leaf over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos sourced from the volcanic soils of Estelí and Jalapa, this cigar delivers concentrated flavor and substantial strength that commands respect from experienced smokers.

Key Features

• Dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper providing visual impact and robust flavor foundation
• Well-aged Nicaraguan long-fillers from Estelí and Jalapa’s volcanic regions, heavy on ligero leaves
• Full-bodied strength profile with medium-full to full intensity throughout the smoking experience
• Available in seven vitolas ranging from the compact FT114 Short Robusto to the commanding FT187
• Handcrafted at My Father Cigars S.A. under Don Pepin Garcia’s legendary production standards
• Rated 93 points by Cigar Aficionado, recognizing exceptional quality and complexity
• Distinctive red-hued band and devil imagery reflecting the blend’s bold, mysterious character

The Genesis and Evolution

Pete Johnson’s relationship with the Garcia family dates to 2003, when Don Pepin produced the first Tatuaje cigars at his small Miami operation. As the partnership flourished and demand grew, the Garcias relocated production to Nicaragua, where they established the My Father Cigars factory that would become renowned for producing some of the industry’s most respected blends. The T110 blend emerged as one of Tatuaje’s most intense offerings, originally created for a Hawaiian retailer before gaining broader distribution.

The Fausto line launched in 2011, building on the T110’s foundation while establishing its own identity through expanded vitola offerings and refined aging protocols. The naming convention follows the T110 pattern, with “FT” representing Fausto and numbers indicating vitola length in millimeters. This systematic approach reflects Johnson’s attention to detail and his commitment to providing smokers with clear product differentiation across his portfolio. In 2025, Tatuaje expanded the line with two new vitolas after a five-year hiatus from additions, demonstrating continued confidence in the blend’s market position.

Blend Architecture and Construction

The Fausto’s Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper displays deep chocolate brown coloring with pronounced oiliness that catches light and leaves residue on fingers. The leaf shows moderate veining with smooth texture between veins, indicating proper fermentation and aging. This wrapper contributes significant flavor while providing the dark visual appeal that signals intensity to experienced smokers. The wrapper’s natural oils suggest moisture retention that translates to rich smoke production.

Beneath the wrapper lies a Nicaraguan binder that provides structural integrity while adding earthy characteristics to the flavor profile. The filler blend emphasizes ligero tobacco from Estelí and Jalapa, two regions known for producing powerful leaf with distinct character. Estelí brings bold pepper and earth, while Jalapa contributes complexity and refinement. The heavy ligero content places the Fausto firmly in full-bodied territory, making it one of the strongest offerings in Johnson’s core lineup.

Construction quality reflects the Garcia family’s reputation for consistency. Cigars present firm, even density from head to foot with well-applied triple caps. Seams remain tight and unobtrusive, and the bunch feels professional to the touch. The draw typically presents ideal resistance, producing voluminous smoke without excessive effort. Burn performance proves reliable, with even burn lines requiring minimal correction across multiple samples.

Flavor Profile and Progression

The Fausto opens aggressively, delivering an immediate rush of black pepper and spice that announces its full-bodied character. Cinnamon and cedar emerge quickly, adding warmth and woodsy depth. Earth notes ground the profile, preventing the pepper from dominating completely. The initial impact can surprise unprepared smokers, but those accustomed to full-strength cigars will appreciate the honest intensity. Retrohaling amplifies the pepper considerably, adding white pepper characteristics to the black pepper foundation.

As the cigar settles into the middle section, dark chocolate and espresso notes develop, bringing richness that balances the opening spice. Leather characteristics appear, adding texture and depth. Herbal spice emerges intermittently, creating complexity that prevents the profile from becoming one-dimensional. A subtle molasses-like sweetness provides counterpoint to the bold flavors, offering moments of relief from the intensity. Oak and hints of black cherry add nuance, particularly for smokers who take time between draws to allow flavors to develop on the palate.

The final third maintains the full-bodied character while introducing additional complexity. Cocoa and wood notes intensify, creating a satisfying conclusion. The pepper mellows slightly compared to the opening, though it never disappears entirely. Coffee bean flavors persist, providing continuity from the middle section. The finish extends well beyond the final puff, leaving lingering impressions of dark chocolate, earth, and spice. Some smokers detect touches of cream in this section, adding smoothness that tempers the raw power.

Smoking Experience and Performance

Smoking time varies by vitola, with the popular FT127 Robusto providing approximately 60 to 75 minutes, while larger formats like the FT187 can extend beyond two hours. The dense filler packing produces concentrated smoke with substantial body and weight. Draw resistance falls in the ideal range, requiring moderate pull without excessive effort. The burn line tracks evenly with minimal correction needed, and the ash holds firm in dark gray segments with pronounced striations indicating ligero content.

Strength registers firmly in the full range throughout the smoking experience. Body remains full from start to finish, providing substantial presence on the palate and creating a viscous mouthfeel. Flavor intensity stays high, delivering distinct tastes that evolve meaningfully without becoming muddled. This combination of strength, body, and flavor intensity creates an experience that demands attention. Distracted smoking diminishes appreciation, while focused engagement reveals the complexity embedded in the aggressive profile.

The Devil in the Details

The Fausto’s packaging and branding embrace darkness with deliberate intent. The cabinet boxes feature an image of Mephistopheles, the demon from German folklore who appears in the Faust legend. This imagery reinforces the cigar’s bold personality and mysterious allure, suggesting power and temptation. The red-hued band stands out against the dark wrapper, creating strong shelf appeal while maintaining the ominous aesthetic. This attention to visual branding reflects Johnson’s understanding that premium cigars sell through stories as much as tobacco quality.

Available Vitolas

• FT114 Short Robusto: 4 1/2 x 52
• FT127 Robusto: 5 x 54
• FT140 Robusto Extra: 5 1/2 x 52
• FT153 Toro: 6 x 50
• FT166 Short Churchill: 6 1/2 x 48
• FT110: 4 3/8 x 60 (added 2025)
• FT187: 7 3/8 x 60 (added 2025)

Summary

• Box Count: 25
• Region: Nicaragua
• Strength: Full
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro
• Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelí and Jalapa)

Who should smoke the Fausto?

The Fausto targets experienced smokers comfortable with full-bodied profiles and aggressive spice. Those who appreciate the Garcia family’s house style, characterized by powerful Nicaraguan tobacco and bold pepper, will find this blend compelling. Enthusiasts who followed Pete Johnson’s career and want to explore his most intense core offering should make the Fausto a priority. This cigar works best for afternoon or evening sessions when fuller strength won’t disrupt empty stomachs or morning palates.

What makes the Fausto special?

The Fausto represents the collaboration between two legends in modern cigar manufacturing: Pete Johnson’s vision and Don Pepin Garcia’s execution. The blend delivers honest intensity without pretense, targeting smokers who value power alongside complexity. The 93-point rating from Cigar Aficionado validates the quality embedded in this aggressive profile. Multiple vitolas allow smokers to experience the blend in various formats, with each size presenting subtle variations in wrapper-to-filler ratio that affect flavor balance.

How does the Fausto compare to other Tatuaje lines?

The Fausto stands as the fullest expression in Tatuaje’s core portfolio, exceeding the strength of the Brown Label and Red Label lines. It delivers more aggression than the Reserva series while maintaining better balance than limited edition releases that sometimes chase intensity over refinement. Within Pete Johnson’s offerings, the Fausto occupies similar territory to the Black Label, though many enthusiasts prefer the Fausto’s more consistent availability and broader vitola selection. The blend showcases what the Garcia factory does best: powerful Nicaraguan cigars with flawless construction.

What pairs well with a Fausto?

The Fausto’s full body and intense pepper characteristics demand bold beverages. Aged rum with molasses notes echoes the cigar’s subtle sweetness while matching its strength. Full-bodied bourbon or barrel-proof whiskey stands up to the power without being overwhelmed. Strong espresso or dark roast coffee creates harmonious pairings, particularly when the cigar’s chocolate and coffee notes dominate. Rich imperial stouts or porters with roasted malt characteristics complement the dark chocolate flavors. Avoid delicate spirits, light beers, or mild beverages that the cigar will completely overpower.

How should you store Fausto cigars?

Maintain the Fausto at 65 to 68 percent humidity for optimal performance. The Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper benefits from moderate humidity that preserves oils without causing wrapper expansion or burn issues. Store at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent fermentation or flavor degradation. These cigars smoke well immediately upon purchase but benefit from rest periods of two to four weeks after shipping to allow flavors to integrate. The robust tobacco selection and full strength provide enough character to reward aging of 6 months to 2 years for those seeking additional smoothness.

Why choose the Fausto over other full-bodied Nicaraguan cigars?

The Fausto delivers Garcia family construction quality at competitive pricing compared to boutique alternatives. Pete Johnson’s reputation for quality control ensures consistency across production, reducing the batch variation that affects some smaller operations. The multiple vitola offerings provide flexibility to explore how size affects the blend’s expression. The 93-point rating indicates professional validation of smoking quality. Customer reviews consistently praise the balance between power and refinement, noting that the Fausto avoids the one-dimensional aggression that plagues some full-strength competitors.

Does the Fausto require food or prior smoking experience?

The Fausto’s full strength makes it inadvisable on an empty stomach, particularly for smokers unaccustomed to powerful cigars. A substantial meal beforehand helps prevent nicotine overload. Experienced smokers who regularly enjoy full-bodied cigars can handle the Fausto without special preparation. Novice smokers should build up to this blend through medium-full offerings before attempting the Fausto. The cigar delivers enough intensity to cause lightheadedness or nausea in unprepared individuals, making awareness of personal tolerance critical.

What vitola best represents the Fausto blend?

The FT127 Robusto provides balanced representation of wrapper and filler characteristics in a familiar format with manageable smoking time. The FT153 Toro offers slightly more filler influence, bringing forward the Nicaraguan tobacco’s earthy power. The FT114 Short Robusto concentrates flavors for those seeking intense experiences in shorter timeframes. The newer FT110 and FT187 cater to large ring gauge enthusiasts, with the substantial diameter tempering pepper intensity slightly. Different sizes present variations in character, allowing exploration of how format affects this aggressive blend’s expression.