Friday, July 27, 2012

Review: Tatuaje Monster Series Wolfman


Cigar Name: Tatuaje Monster Series Wolfman
Wrapper:
Sumatra
Binder:
Nicaragua
Filler:
Nicaragua
Size: Box Pressed Torpedo 7” x 52
Strength: Medium-Full
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $13.00 Each
Smoking Time: Over two hours

Tatuaje has had some of the most sought after cigars in the country and his Monster Series that comes out every Halloween is the MOST sought after of his cigars.  Only 13 retailers carry them in the country and there are only 666 boxes (dress boxes that is – he also has about 1000 boxes of 10 that are just plain-Jane).  These typically sell out within hours if not minutes of their release.  Right now you could go on e-bay and find sealed boxes in excess of 50-200% mark up.  Long story short, these are hard to get and if you can’t get them on the initial release, you will pay dearly for them.

2011’s “monster” is the Wolfman.     



Appearance: The first thing you notice is the shaggy foot (get it-wolfman-shaggy foot?).  It has a sharp box press and a really cool red on brown label.  I dig those colors.  This is a good looking cigar as you would expect at $13.00/each    10/10

Construction: It is a little spongy to the touch but not too much give.  No blemishes.          10/10

Burn:   Fantastic.         10/10

Aroma:  There is a soft sweetness coming off it (I love Sumatra) with some good coffee notes.  There was also a little bit of chocolate on the predraw.  9/10

Draw: Box pressed cigars are made with a little less tobacco than traditional cigars therefore they typically have a lot more give in the draw and the potential for a hot draw.  That being said, if you take your time with this, you will be rewarded (see flavor below).     10/10

Flavor: Boom shak-a-laka!  That is some nice spice coming off this.  Not overpowering but just the right amount.  With the Sumatra leaf sweetness, it tastes like jalapeƱo jelly.  Very unique and lots of floral notes.    10/10

Availability: Grrr.  Please read above for the low score on this.        3/10

Personal Overall Experience: I love this cigar.  Were it not for the availability, this would be much higher.  I understand why it is what it is; I just wish these were easier to come by.  Then again, I go searching for them every year b/c I am sure they will be great (and let’s be honest, as stressful as it is to go through this every year, it is fun to go through it).  30/30

Total: 92/100

Matt

Friday, July 13, 2012

Review: CroMagnon Cigars Cranium


Cigar Name: CroMagnon Cigars Cranium
Wrapper:
Connecticut Broadleaf    
Binder:
Cameroon 
Filler:
Nicaraguan
Size: 6” x 54
Strength: Full
Body: Full
Price: $5.00-8.00 (single)
Smoking Time: Hour and a half

I love reading other cigars blogs.  They give me so many different concepts to ponder and ideas on where and what to smoke.  While reading some of the bigger ones (and the ones I frequent most often) I came across the name of CroMagnon cigars.  Now, if that doesn’t scream “smoke me right now!” I don’t know what does.  I waited patiently until some more came back in stock at havacigarshop.com and picked up 5 samplers of each of the sizes.  This is a review of the big Toro size, the Cranium. 


Appearance: This looks like a baseball bat!  Big and stout, this oily cigar does not look to be trifled with.    9/10

Construction: Packed with tobacco this is solid.  The cap looks great and there are no soft spots, blemishes or veins.      10/10

Burn:   Knowing what I know from the other blogs that have reviewed this and the looks of the oils, I dry boxed this for a few hours and the burn paid off.  The burn was good and I had no problems with it.    9/10

Aroma: There was some charcoal and “meaty” flavors coming off this.      9/10

Draw: The draw was pretty good, not too tight and not too loose.  Just about right.  9/10

Flavor: Salty, meaty, and smoky.  This would be great with a smoke porter and a steak dinner.  There was a little bit of sweet malt and chocolate on the back third.  It was a nice evolution (see what I did there?) of flavors.       10/10

Availability: You can only get these right now at havacigarshop.com AND they are currently sold out.        6/10

Personal Overall Experience:  Dang, these are awesome. I rarely have a good 90 minutes or more to enjoy a big cigar like this but this is a treat.  I have heard these will be available at some different shops nationwide.  But until then, hoard all you can from Hava.    30/30.

Total: 92/100

Matt