Since 2008, Pete Johnson has reinvented Halloween for cigar smokers. It all started with The Frank, which to date remains my favorite Monster Series release. From there it went to The Drac (2009), The Face (2010), The Wolfman (2011), The Mummy (2012), JV13 (2013), The Jekyll (2014), The Hyde (2015) and The Krueger (2016). There were two little monsters called Chuck and Tiff, but they have not received a Halloween release. It is expected that the Monster Series will come to an end in 2018 with the release of The Bride.
Will this be the year that I have a new Monster favorite? Only one way to find out…
Cigar: Tatuaje Monster Series
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6.5″
Guage: 52
Size: The Michael
The Look: The Monster Series comes in two boxes. The first is referred to as the dress box which features artwork that ties into the name of the Monster in this case Michael Meyers. The other is your standard cabinet box. Back in the day I went crazy trying to get my hands on the dress box, but the cigars are exactly the same, so I gave up on the chase. Inside, the cigar reminded me of the Tatuaje Black, however after closer examination the band is blue. On the side it denotes Halloween Monster. As far the cigar it has a nice milk chocolate hue to it with thin veins and a nice amount of oils. It’s well rolled and heavy in the hand with a well packed foot.
The Notes: Once the cap is clipped the cold draw of The Michael has a mocha like sweetness to hit, with a touch of jelly like sweetness that gives the cold draw the feel of a jelly ring. The two notes are mimicked on the foot of the cigar though there is a touch more mocha to the nose than on the cold draw. Once the cigar is toasted and lit the first note is red pepper flakes through the nose in that typical spice found in a cigar made at My Father Cigars S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua.
As we smoke the first third of the Tatuaje Michael the red pepper begins to tone down and a tangerine sweetness begins to emerge that coexists with touches of mocha and the slightest hint of raisins. Through the nose there continues to be an abundance of pepper that singes the nostrils but it also added some complexity giving the cigar an almost torte like feel to it.
The second third of the cigar saw continued notes of mocha and a touch of raisins. Around the half way point the mocha transcended into the real of dark chocolate and there was a continued torte like taste to this cigar making it incredibly enjoyable. The pepper through the nose subsides some, and there is some citrus on the aroma.
The last third of the cigar gives me a hint of marzipan, with continued dark chocolate as the dominant note. The tangerine citrus like note remains on the finish, and the retrohale sees an abundance of pepper. I still feel like the cigar is reminiscent of a torte, and I love it when a cigar triggers such a flavor profile, that is different than many others and this cigar has that.
The Finish: When you think about all the brands that have come and gone in the past 10 years, it is a testament that the Monster Series remains as strong today as it did when it began. Legions of loyal fans in an industry that no longer has any brand loyalty still track down these smokes and I can’t think of any of the 10 blends that I wouldn’t smoke again. So the question, is this my choice for best Monster ever. I’m on the fence, I really love the Necco wafer taste that I got from the original Frank, but the torte like sweetness on this is close to that. I don’t want to say no, but at the same time I don’t want to say yes. It’s like a tied score heading into extra innings. I guess I’ll have to smoke a couple of more to decide, which means I bought a box and a few singles.
Score: 94
Price: $13.00 / $129.99
Tatuaje Monsters The Michael
Tatuaje Monsters The Michael Foot
Tatuaje Monsters The Michael Burn
