As noted, on a short intro video on my Facebook page, I will be reviewing all the Monsters in this year’s Tatuaje Cigars Monster Smash collection. MSRP is $175.00 for the 14-count collection 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.
I am continuing this journey with the Drac, which was the second monster in the series and was originally released in 2009.
Drac is much better looking than Frank. Of course Dracula has always been that smooth talking, ageless, creature of the night.
The Tatuaje Cigars Drac blend is described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
They are handcrafted by the Garcia Family ~ My Father Cigars, SA in Estelí, Nicaragua.
Pre-Light Examination
The Tatuaje Cigars 2024 Monster Smash Drac is a fairly smooth, medium brown cigar that has some noticeable veins (of course it’s Drac and he wants to suck your blood, bwhahaaaa). There is also a little bit of marbling in the color. The Drac like all these monsters, is expressed, in a (5 1/4 x 52) box pressed vitola. It is well packed from head to foot. with just a little extra give on the foot. The wrapper leaf has a matte vs gloss finish to it. A triple cap finishes the construction.
As with all Tatuaje Cigars, the cigar is adorned with a single thin band with the word Tatuaje in the center. In the case of the Drac, it is an black band with blood red lettering.
The barrel exudes a sweet curing barn aroma with a slight essence of sweet spice. The foot , like the Frank offered a pleasant nutty aroma but with touch of peppery spice.
I straight cut the cap with right across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give the Drac a few cold draws. The Drac is a tasty little monster. Sweetness and nut grace the palate first. As you cold puff some more there is a bit of pepper that joins the pre-light experience.
Time to toast the Drac. I warmed the foot with my Xikar Fan Flame torch, bringing the foot to an even orange glow. As I drew in the first taste of the Drac, my palate was introduced to note of sweetness and tangy fruit. Follow along as I burn Drac to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Sweetness and fruit begin the journey
- A white ash forms on top of thin burn line
- The early profile is a tad astringent (tannic)
- Mild wave in burn
- Pleasant mild spice enters deep in the first third
- Ash fell in a small chunk revealing a slightly off enter burn cone
- Earthy aroma
- Bitter and sour notes entering the second third
- A sprinkle of salt joins the mix
- The profile begins to come together midway (I guess Drac was sleeping in the first half)
- Chocolate notes are trying to break through
- Spice notes and finally some of the pre-light nut start to develop deeper in the second third
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 25 Minutes
- Medium in Strength
Final Analysis
The initial puffs, of the Tatuaje Cigars 2024 Monster Smash Collection Drac, enticed the palate with a pleasant sweetness and fruit introduction. Unfortunately, that was not the rest of the story. A mild spice joined with an earthy aroma did join the early mix, but then the Drac fell back in he coffin as bitter, sour and astringent notes attacked the palate. It wasn’t until the midway point when it seemed to awaken with a touch of chocolate and bit of the pre-light nut arrived in the profile. The flavors just seem unbalanced and the bitter just never faded away. Sorry Drac, you did not hold up against the Frank. We shall see how the rest of the Monsters compare. I rate this an 88.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wave in Burn; (-1) Off-centered burn cone; (-1) Tannic notes in first third; (-1) Bitter in second third; (-1) Sour in Second third; (-1) Unbalanced Flavors
