Calling Pete Johnson, owner and founder of Tatuaje Cigars, a fan of wine might be selling him short. He has made a name for himself in both the cigar industry and wine industry, crafting multiple vintages of wine in Bordeaux. This influence has long been evident throughout Tatuaje's cigars as well. One such project is the Tatuaje Négociant, a blending of Pete's love for wine and cigars. Négociant is a French term that details a process in the winemaking world where grapes, must, and/or wine are bought, tweaked, and sold under the purchaser’s own label. This concept has been carried into Pete's cigarmaking process, as the Négociant blend was originally made for Johnson's sister company, L'Atelier Imports. By taking the blend and selling it under the Tatuaje name, Tatuaje has effectively become the Négociant! (still following? GOOD! Let's delve into the blend).

Tatuaje Négociant Monopole is an interesting blend and profile, especially for Tatuaje. The cigar's Shade-Grown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper covers Nicaraguan and Mexican San Andrés double binders. The filler tobacco is all-Nicaraguan. This dark, rich binder and filler, combined with a sweet Ecuadorian wrapper, creates a complex Connecticut profile that isn't like your grandaddies Connecticuts! Négociant has notes of zesty black pepper, a buttery grain flavor, earthy qualities, toasted bread, and notes of buttermilk. It is a medium-bodied, flavorful delight that balances complex flavor with a creamy, peppery quality.