The Tatuaje Monster Smash features a box pressed robusto version of every Tatuaje Monster Series cigar released to date. Originally 13 cigars, this box set features cigar called Creature which is an ode to the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
We decided to smoke through the whole box of the Tatuaje Monster Smash and review each release, ranking them in order with a smaller capsule review much like you would find in a magazine. We limited our routine to a carbon copy that consisted of water and dry toast for breakfast before heading outside and lighting one up in the early morning hours.
The releases and years for Tatuaje Monster Series at as follows; The Frank (2008), The Drac (2009), The Face (2010), The Wolfman (2011), The Mummy (2012), The JV13 (2013), The Jekyll (2014), The Hyde (2015), The Krueger (2016), The Michael (2017), The Bride (2018) The Chuck (2019), The Tiff (2019) & The Creature (2021)
Lastly, we used the full numerical rating for our review capsules to eliminate ties. For the record when we post our normal reviews we round up or down accordingly to standard practices in rounding.
So without further adieu here are the Tatuaje Monster cigars ranked.
The Mummy – Ecuadorian Sun Grown Criollo – Original Release: 2012
Grassy notes takes control of the palate from the first light and remain a focal point for the first third of the cigar before cedar begins to take hold. Around the halfway point it is joined by leather that is elongated on the finish. Additional notes sprinkled along the way consist of dark chocolate, cinnamon and a touch of almonds. Score: 87.3 Rank: 14
The Hyde – Ecuador Sumatra – Original Release Year: 2015
The Hyde starts off with notes of earth and cedar and it remains constant throughout the cigar. There isn’t much complexity to the Hyde but it does occasionally show notes of almonds and wheat with a slight sourness and saltiness on the finish. While Pete has worked with Sumatra before, this one embodies what I don’t like about Sumatra. Score: 87.5 Rank: 13
The Face – Wrapper: Mexican San Andres – Original Release: 2010
The original release was the first real gimmicky Halloween release with tobacco serving as the band in a nod to Leatherface. The cigar is a little mild to begin with and the notes of cedar and earth that aren’t very forthcoming. Around the halfway point the cigar transitions to medium in perceived strength and notes of nuts begin to emerge with nuances of licorice before finishing out at medium-full. Score: 88.6 Rank: 12
The Jason (JV13) – Wrapper Connectictur Broadleaf – Original Release Year: 2013
I never chased the dress boxes of the annual release, but the JV13 was my favorite dress box. The cigar is easily the most earthy of all Monster series releases. Additionally the JV13 sees roasted espresso beans, hay and leather with some dark chocolate showing up briefly. The retrohale is loaded with black pepper and additional leather. Score: 89.3 Rank: 11
The Wolf – Ecuador Sumatra – Original Release Year: 2011
The Wolf had the most memorable cold draw when it was released and that carries over to this rendition. Notes of mocha and graham crackers set the stage. The cigar starts off with some earth and milk chocolate with a touch of pepper on the nose. Around the halfway point some nuttiness is added to the mix, but the cigar wastes the epic cold draw and fails to materialize. Cigar: 89.5 Rank: 10
The Creature – Wrapper: Undisclosed – Original Release Year: 2021
The 14th and forgotten Monster Release is shrouded in mystery with an undisclosed wrapper. Notes of earth and bittersweet dark chocolate dominate the palate. The long dry finish reveals roasted peanuts and a strong espresso compone that is amplified on the retrohale with a moderate amount of red pepper. Score: 89.7 Rank: 9
The Tiff – Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut – Original Release Year: 2019
Featuring a cold draw of delicious shortbread cookies. The cigar starts of with dry hay and salted peanuts. To truly enjoy the cigar one must retrohale which brings out notes of butterscotch and caramel. Around the half-way point the cigar becomes earthy with notes of graham cracker. The Tiff closes out with an abundance of peanuts, earth and a subtle cinnamon. The Tiff is the mildest Monster in the series. Score: 90 Rank: 8
The Krueger – Wrapper: Mexican San Andres – Original Release: 2016
Starting out with black peppercorns and crushed red pepper the cigar opens up around a half inch which reveals notes of brown sugar, mocha and a touch of blackberries hiding in the background. Around the half-way point the sweetness fades and cedar and leather components take over with a bit of a drying finish. Score: 90.9 Rank: 7
The Jekyll – Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sancti Spíritus – Original Release 2014
The Jekyll for me has a weird shape to it being round on the bottom but pressed on the top. It almost seems like a production error and I wonder if I should have saved it like a production error dollar bill or baseball card (sarcasm, cigars are meant to be smoked!). There are notes of oak and marzipan in the first third that sees bready notes around the halfway point. The cigar finishes out with coffee and earthy components. Score: 91.4 Rank: 6
The Bride – Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf – Original Release Year: 2018
The only Monster release I was unable to score in it’s original release is The Bride. Notes of sugar in the raw and espresso create a cafe style experience that reminds me of the coffee shops in my old stomping grounds of Brooklyn, NY. It takes me back to sitting outside with an espresso and people watching. And for the record I am not talking about a chain coffee shop. Additional notes of cocoa and nuts develop around the halfway point with a woodsy finish. Score: 92.4 Rank: 5
The Chuck – Wrapper: Ecuador Habano – Original Release Year: 2019
Featuring a dark oily Habano wrapper and a blue band that is my favorite in the series, but, you can’t smoke the band. The cigar starts up with distinct raisin notes with hints of oak and unsalted cashews. Around the halfway point the raisin sweetness intensifies where it is joined by some cocoa and a contrasting leather and espresso. The finish is moderate and the cigar smokes slow. Score: 92.7 Rank: 4
The Michael – Wrapper: Ecuador Habano – Original Release Year: 2017
The only cigar I smoked two of for this review. In terms of full disclosure the first one had a significant void of tobacco just below the cap on the backside creating an airy draw that had a hard time staying lit. It’s a handmade product and shit happens. The review version of this cigar has notes of oak, nutmeg and leather. The retrohale adds some sweetness to the mix in the form of honey and cocoa. As the cigar comes to a close notes of cinnamon emerge adding to the complexity. Score: 93.1 Rank: 3
The Drac – Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Maduro – Original Release Year: 2009
Delicious cedar notes grasp the palate from the first light before hints of cocoa and raisins enter the mix all within the first inch. The cigar becomes earthy in the middle portion with some black pepper and a hint of burnt caramel. Transitioning back into the final third sees some coffee and cocoa notes along with a cedar and earthy finish. Score: 93.8 Rank: 2
The Frank – Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf – Original Release Year 2009
The first Tatuaje Monster is classic broadleaf experience from the first light the cigar also has a bit of sweetness to it. There are notes of earth, and pepper which is expected but there is also ginger, black necco wafers (a New England confectionery staple) which is a faux licorice. Before the first half comes to a close some nuances of cinnamon and espresso begin to develop. After the halfway point the cigar sees the addition of a subtle raspberry, with walnuts, more cinnamon and espresso. Score: 94.4 Rank: 1
The fourteen cigars were smoked over 15 days (one day it rained), serving as our first smoke for the day. The average score of the 14 Tatuaje Monster cigars was 91.04.
At the time of publication of this review, Small Batch Cigar has the Tatuaje Monster Smash in stock. Use coupon code BARRELBURNER to save 10%. In order for the coupon code to work you must be logged into their website.
