Tatuaje

Tatuaje is the brainchild of Pete Johnson, who debuted the brand in 2003. The company's name is Spanish for Tattoo, being named after Johnson's own tattoos. Prior to entering the cigar scene, Pete had dreams of being discovered in the rock music scene of Los Angeles. But in 1993 he left the touring lifestyle, taking a job at the Grand Havana Room tobacconist in Beverly Hills.

When setting out to craft a cigar of his own, Johnson was later introduced to José "Don Pepín" García, an awarded Cuban torcedor that had recently established his own boutique in Miami's famed Little Havana neighborhood. Johnson found that García was capable of showcasing the edgy profile he was seeking, while simultaneously maintaining a traditional backbone, reminiscent of the custom-rolled Cuban cigars Pete had grown fond of during his time at Grand Havana Room.

Over the years, Pete Johnson and the García family have worked together nearly exclusively, with Tatuaje considered one of the major influences for today's new wave of craft-minded cigar culture. Tatuaje is known for showcasing bold smoking experiences with a nod toward Cuban traditions. The brand has gained a cult-like following over the years, with one-off releases and atypical themes (such as the fan-favorite Monster Series) making for some of the industry's most sought-after releases.