Who is ready for a wedding? OK, I just reviewed Chucks bride Tiff yesterday and oh!! …she scored high. Today, I shift to the other bride. The bride of Frank, simply known as the Bride. It is a homage to the 1935 classic film “The bride of Frankenstein” directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff as the Monster and Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein and featuring Elsa Lanchester in the dual role of Mary Shelley and the bride. This is the 13th and last monster in the series, except for the Creature which I will soon get to in another post.
As you now know, I am reviewing all the monsters in the 2024 Monster Smash Collection. The 14-count collection has an MSRP is $175.00 but if you search around, you may find them discounted to about $160.00. As of this writing, if you have a discount code, check Neptune Cigars or check Fox Cigars as they have them for $159.99.
The Tatuaje Cigars 2024 Monster Smash Collection Bride blend is described as:
- Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
The Bride like all these monsters, is expressed, in a (5 1/4 x 52) box pressed vitola and are handcrafted at My Fathers Cigars S.A. in Nicaragua.
Pre-Light Examination
The Tatuaje Cigars 2024 Monster Smash Collection Bride is a rugged, veiny and bumpy – medium reddish brown cigar. It does not exhibit much, if any, sheen but does have some significant marbling throughout. The Bride feels nicely bunched, rolled and pressed from head to foot. A triple cap completes the construction.
As with all Tatuaje Cigars, the Bride is adorned with a single thin band with the word Tatuaje in the center. In the case of the Bride, it uses a cream and olive-green color scheme with the olive-green word Tatuaje and fleur-de-lis symbols printed on the cream background.
Running the Bride along the nose I picked up some sweet curing barn spice aromas along the barrel, while the foot exuded notes of nut and earthiness.
I straight cut the cap right across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give the Bride a few cold draws. The cold draw offered a decent restriction and delivered notes of earth, sweetness, pepper and nut. There is a lot going on with the Bride.
Time to toast the Bride. I warmed the foot with my fan flame Xikar lighter, bringing it to an even orange glow. As I drew in the first taste of the Bride, my palate was introduced to notes of white pepper and tanginess. Follow along as I burn the Bride to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- The journey starts with notes of tanginess and white pepper
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thin char line
- Rich thick creamy smoke fills the palate on each puff
- Mild wave in burn
- Plum nuances join the early mix
- Chocolate and cream notes round out the first third
- Ash fell in a decent chunk revealing centered well-formed burn cone
- The cream develops well in the second third as an espresso note adds to the profile
- The early plum transitions into more of a citrusy fruit
- Cedar notes develop s moving through the second third
- Espresso grew in the final with a resurgence of pepper notes
- Medium strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 15 minutes
Final Analysis
The Tatuaje Cigars 2024 Monster Smash Collection Bride journey begins with vibrant tanginess and a hint of white pepper that tantalize the senses. Early on, subtle plum nuances join the blend, followed by a harmonious marriage of chocolate and cream that defines the first third. In the second third, the creamy texture deepens, enriched by an espresso note that adds depth to the profile. The initial plum evolves into a brighter, citrusy fruit, while cedar notes emerge, further enhancing the complexity. As the final third unfolds, the espresso intensifies, accompanied by a resurgence of pepper, bringing the experience to a satisfying crescendo.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild wave in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Balanced and Enjoyable complex profile;
