L'Atelier Original

The L’Atelier original cigar blend is a doozy, and we’d expect nothing less from Pete Johnson and the My Father cigars team. The L’Atelier brand originally launched as an...

The L’Atelier original cigar blend is a doozy, and we’d expect nothing less from Pete Johnson and the My Father cigars team. The L’Atelier brand originally launched as an effort to produce high-quality cigars that were consumer price-conscious. Inevitably, though, what you wind up with at the end of the day when you’re working with José “Don Pepin” Garcia is an outstanding product.

This cigar is at home among the best blends in the market. These are still reasonably priced, however, with most L’Atelier cigars winding up somewhere around eight to ten dollars.

The original L’Atelier cigar was built to showcase a particular kind of tobacco: the leaf known as “spiritus sancti” or “sancti spiritus.” It’s a hybrid of old-school Cuban criollo and pelo d’oro tobacco. Criollo was once the workhorse of the Cuban cigar market, and pelo d’oro was a notoriously fragile leaf with an interesting flavor profile. Together, they’ve been developed into a tobacco varietal that offers highly intriguing aromatic and floral notes that mark it as one best saved for occasions when you need a break from dark earthiness, and want to step out into the light.

Cigar Aficionado gave the L’Atelier original cigar a 93-point rating, so it’s safe to say that it’s a fantastic blend. The Ecuadorian sancti spiritus wrapper mixes quite well with the Nicaraguan binder and filler. The smoking experience is fully satisfying, starting with a traditional pepper kick before progressing into spiritus sancti complexity. The core underneath, thanks to the Nicaraguan tobacco chosen, tends to add a touch of roasted coffee and a hint of dark chocolate into the mix.

The L’Atelier original blend is also available with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, which shifts the flavor profile into something sweeter and earthier, with a bit of tart stone fruit on the finish.

It’s yet another marvel from Pete Johnson and Don Pepin, and we’ve quickly made room in our humidors for L’Atelier original and a number of other blends under the brand umbrella.

Please browse our selection of L’Atelier original cigars at your leisure.

L'Atelier Original FAQ's

What are the flavors like?

For the spiritus sancti wrapper version, the flavors are peppery, floral, and aromatic, with a touch of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. The maduro is a bit sweeter and earthier, as you might expect.
What’s the strength level?

Medium-full.
Who is this cigar for?

People who want Pete Johnson’s experimental blending and José Garcia’s Nicaraguan tobacco and flawless cigar making, all in one shot.
Will I want to smoke it to the nub?

Without question.
What’s a good pairing with it?

This would be nice with a brighter beer. Maybe a white ale or something like that.
What’s the best time/place to smoke this cigar?

Sunny days off.
Any flaws/downsides?

Did you really need another brand to fall in love with? Cigars are dangerous like that. Hopefully your stash has room for one more!

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L'Atelier Original FAQ's

What are the flavors like?

What’s the strength level?

Who is this cigar for?

Will I want to smoke it to the nub?

What’s a good pairing with it?

What’s the best time/place to smoke this cigar?

Any flaws/downsides?