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Cigar Review: Tatuaje "The Frank"
By Jeff | November 10, 2008 |
Brand: Tatuaje
Line: Monster Series: #1 The Frank (aka Frankenstein’s monster)
Vitola: Double Corona 7 5/8 x 49 - Box Pressed
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $169 (Coffin of 13)
Description: The much anticipated release from Pete Johnson has finally arrived! I received my coffin (#64 out of 666) on October 29 for what was supposed to be an October 31 release! Unfortunately, I had to work late on the 31st, so I didn’t smoke it on Hallow’s Eve! But, first thing the following morning, with a carafe of Starbuck’s coffee and a 102 degree Jacuzzi, the stage was set! The presentation for this cigar was too cool: A deep brown-stained slide-lid box in the shape of a coffin. The brown stain had the appearance of splattered blood pattern all over the outside, with no two boxes the same. It had a Cuban-like box seal, and Jose “Pepin” Garcia’s signature stamped on the bottom; almost a shame to break into it…almost!
Once inside the box, the cigars were wrapped in a black tissue, like they were in a body bag! I took the bundle out of their coffin and removed the body bag, then placing them back into their resting place; minus one! What an ugly stick – uh, in a good way! The construction looked great! Not a single flaw, with that notable Tatuaje triple cap. It has a Brown Label Taino filler surrounded by a very toothy, maduro-looking U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. I didn’t expect the box press – one of those newer wide and thin jobs; definitely not one of my favorite styles. It was quite spongy, and I thought it might be too wet. We’ll see….
Easy clip, decent, snug draw, giving me pre-lit flavors dry grass and pepper. Upon lighting, black pepper dominated the senses. It was a bit harsh at the start, but it quickly developed within the first inch. The pepper faded into the background and earthy, grass-flavors took over throughout the first half. I really started tasting the tobacco in the second half, with that great Tatuaje spice kicking in! Leather and a touch of cocoa finished this monster off. I smoked it all the way down! I don’t believe I ever sat it down! This cigar never got overpowering, and was much mellower than the Brown Label; certainly different from any of my previous Johnson experiences and much smoother than I anticipated.
This cigar produced a lot of smoke, I mean, A LOT OF SMOKE!! Not one single problem with the burn and it required zero touch-ups! The ash was very solid and held a good two inches in between drops. About 2 hours to smoke!! I was sort of right about the sponginess of the cigar. Though it never acted like it was wet, I left a dent in it where I was holding it. And, once I took the label off, the cigar was dented there too! No harm, as it did not affect the burn at all!
Verdict: Most Excellent!!. I am thrilled that I got a box, err-uhh, coffin, and a signed one at that!! Though these were very limited release, available to only 13 lottery-picked retailers, try and find one! Pete is planning on this being a yearly occurrence, with the next in line being, “The Drac – aka The Dracula!” Similar Cigars: oh, I’d say a cross between a Tat Black and a Tat Brown! Truthfully, I’ve never had a cigar like this.
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Topics: Cigar Reviews |
November 20th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Nice review Jeff, I currently have box #65. Enjoyed the two Monsters I had very much so far. This weekend I am going to smoke a 3 year old Taino I have and then a Monster back to back to get a nice comparison with the different wrappers.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
cool! definetly let us know how they relate!! are you so cal?? figuring from the box #….
December 10th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
[...] Jeff @ CigarJack says “Most Excellent!!” [...]