The year 2015, brought us the 8th release in the Tatuaje Cigars Monster Series. This time it was the alter ego of the Jekyll – the Hyde. Pete Johnson based both the Jekyll and Hyde on the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – the1886 Gothic horror novella by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. The story follows Gabriel John Utterson, a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde.
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 Hyde blend is described as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
The Hyde 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 Hyde is draped in a rugged, dark reddish-brown leaf. There is a significant vein running along the edge of the barrel. The wrapper has some toothiness to it but no real sheen. Like the Jekyll, the Hyde was also a bit spongy in the center. A triple cap completes the construction.
As with all Tatuaje Cigars, the Hyde is adorned with a single thin band with the word Tatuaje in the center. In the case of the Hyde, it uses the reverse color scheme of the Jeckyll; i.e. a lime green band with pale yellow lettering.
Running the Hyde along the nose I was greeted with rich baking spice notes along the barrel along with earthy notes off the foot.
I straight cut the cap right across the shoulder of the cigar and proceeded to give the Hyde a few cold draws. The cold draw offered a rather loose airy restriction and delivered notes of sweetness, earth and a light peppery spice.
Time to toast the Hyde. 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 Hyde, my palate was introduced to notes of tangy earth and pepper. Follow along as I burn the Hyde to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Tangy earth and pepper initiate the journey
- A white ash forms on top of a medium thick wavy char line
- Caramel notes add to the enticement
- Barrel is getting squishy in the center
- Fruit notes deep in 1st third
- Slight off burn but no touch up required
- Ash fell in decent chunk revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Spice notes weave into the profile midway through the burn
- Dark chocolate notes deep in the second third as fruit become more raisin like
- Mild spice down in the final
- Medium strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Final Analysis
The Tatuaje Cigars 2024 Monster Smash Collection Hyde journey begins with a burst of tangy earthiness and pepper, setting a bold foundation. Hints of caramel emerge, adding a layer of enticing sweetness. The barrel softens in the middle as subtle fruit notes appear early in the first third. As the cigar progresses, spice notes intertwine with the flavor profile, leading into the midway point. Deeper into the second third, dark chocolate tones surface, and the fruit notes evolve into a raisin-like richness. The final finishes with a subtle added spice note. I rate this monster a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Wave in Burn; (-1) Barrel gets Squishy; (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone
