Tatuaje Monster Smash 2024 Reviews starting with post #32

[Smart Ash]

Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters, The Frank…

Appearance:
Perfectly applied olive green label, no excess glue or misalignment. I believe a triple cap on this one, with no issues cutting with a Palio guillotine cutter. The wrapper is dark brown, toothy, with some thick veins. It also has a stretched appearance to it, is the best way I can describe it. The cigar is a 5 5/8 long, 49 ring gauge with a slight box press. Overall, nothing special about the looks of this stick.

Flavor:
Surprisingly strong pepper in the first 1/2” or so before it subsided. A unique cotton candy like sweetness on every puff, especially after a retro. I also got a little creamed coffee and a parched sensation of leather. The flavors are super smooth with nothing standing out, perhaps due to the age. Overall, a pleasant tasting stick.

Construction:
Firmer draw than what I prefer, but not an issue. It started off a little wavey, but self corrected. Maybe due to the heavy veins or my lighting technique. Not a ton of smoke production, and the ash was strange. The first inch or so was dark, like it was charred, then all of a sudden turned white. It also had a gap in the center after the first inch that lasted about another inch. The smoke production became more abundant after that, but I would say about or slightly below average. The ash held strong only falling upon me tapping it. Overall, the construction wasn’t great, but acceptable, requiring no touch ups.

Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed the sweetness from this cigar. Didn’t blow my socks off by any means, but I wouldn’t turn another one down, nor would I seek out a box if they were available. Glad I had the opportunity to smoke it.

 

[Smart Ash]

Tatuaje Monster Smash, The Frank…

Appearance:
Just a bit of a different band on this one vs the Pudgy version. Looks like the font of the lettering is a tad more robust on the Monster Smash version. Also, the wrapper is still dark brown, but considerably lighter than the Pudgy. This wrapper is smooth without any tooth like the Pudgy had. Less prominent veins. I will say this stick is a little sloppy. The band is not on perfectly, and the foot cut is not clean. I haven’t seen many sticks like this, looks like the filler is protruding past the wrapper and binder about 1/8” in a rounded shape. Just a slight squeeze of glue on one edge of the band. The size is the same for all Monster Smash sticks this year at 5 ¼ x 52 box-pressed. Overall, just an average looking stick with a miss cut foot.

Flavor:
Right away, a strong pepper blast, but shockingly not as strong as the Pudgy. I’m getting a woody sweetness, nothing like the cotton candy I got from the Pudgy. I get the leather and slightly parched sensation with this one too. This stick is not as smooth and a woody flavor stands out to me over the sweetness unlike the Pudgy. The pepper calmed down after a 1/2” or so. The finish is earth, and not to my liking. I get an occasional salty flavor as well. Something about the flavor seems artificial or chemically, even a menthol type flavor/sensation on the finish. Overall, okay flavor, but not loving it.

Construction:
This stick burned evenly, requiring no attention. The draw was slightly firm, but pretty close to perfect for me. Smoke production was great. The ash was a nice white color, but definitely did not hold on like the Pudgy. I didn’t learn from my mistakes, and dropped the ash on my lap 3 times…

Final Thoughts:
This stick is mediocre, average in my opinion. I’m hoping the next Monster cigar from both the Pudgy and Smash series deliver better results. I would choose so many other cigars over this one, that I likely wouldn’t find any in my stash down the road. I prefer the Pudgy version over the Smash.

 

[JoeMO]

Tatuaje Monster Smash, The Frank…

Appearance:
Just a bit of a different band on this one vs the Pudgy version. Looks like the font of the lettering is a tad more robust on the Monster Smash version. Also, the wrapper is still dark brown, but considerably lighter than the Pudgy. This wrapper is smooth without any tooth like the Pudgy had. Less prominent veins. I will say this stick is a little sloppy. The band is not on perfectly, and the foot cut is not clean. I haven’t seen many sticks like this, looks like the filler is protruding past the wrapper and binder about 1/8” in a rounded shape. Just a slight squeeze of glue on one edge of the band. The size is the same for all Monster Smash sticks this year at 5 ¼ x 52 box-pressed. Overall, just an average looking stick with a miss cut foot.

Flavor:
Right away, a strong pepper blast, but shockingly not as strong as the Pudgy. I’m getting a woody sweetness, nothing like the cotton candy I got from the Pudgy. I get the leather and slightly parched sensation with this one too. This stick is not as smooth and a woody flavor stands out to me over the sweetness unlike the Pudgy. The pepper calmed down after a 1/2” or so. The finish is earth, and not to my liking. I get an occasional salty flavor as well. Something about the flavor seems artificial or chemically, even a menthol type flavor/sensation on the finish. Overall, okay flavor, but not loving it.

Construction:
This stick burned evenly, requiring no attention. The draw was slightly firm, but pretty close to perfect for me. Smoke production was great. The ash was a nice white color, but definitely did not hold on like the Pudgy. I didn’t learn from my mistakes, and dropped the ash on my lap 3 times…

Final Thoughts:
This stick is mediocre, average in my opinion. I’m hoping the next Monster cigar from both the Pudgy and Smash series deliver better results. I would choose so many other cigars over this one, that I likely wouldn’t find any in my stash down the road. I prefer the Pudgy version over the Smash.

Now that's a review. Hey CP, I know a lot of you have bought and started smoking the Monster Smash. I invite you to post your thoughts on any of the sticks from that box on this thread.

 

[JoeMO]

Face 10/7/24
5.25 X 52
Dry draw: leather, cedar, pleasant, earth 650
Good smoke, cocoa or coffee, nice retro, woody, hitting the spot, feels like I should be at a cabin in the woods, barely get some pepper, might have a nuttiness, ash and burn have been spot on
Overall: Obviously, I didn’t write a lot, but it was an enjoyable smoke. It would probably be a good morning stick.
Score: 88 which means I'd be happy with a fiver anytime.

 

[Smart Ash]

Tatuaje 2024 Monster Smash the Drac

Appearance:
Like the entire Smash series, 5.25 X 52 box pressed. Smooth, slightly oily darkish brown wrapper. Like the Frank, this cigar seems a bit sloppy. Glue is squished out from above and below the back of the band. Also, looks like the wrapper was damaged and the band placed over the top of a little bit of the wrapper being peeled back. Just a tiny crack on the foot. I can see veins, but don’t necessarily feel all of them.





Flavor:
This stick started off with a strong blast of pepper, but quickly calmed down. The retrohale still left my nostrils a bit irritated 1/3 way through the cigar. I’m getting a creamed unsweetened tea, earth, and the finish leaves my mouth feeling like I bit a grape seed. As I continue to get past the 1/2 way point, I start to get a slightly sweet citrus taste mixed with charred wood. I would even say a got a little pine needle taste. The final 1/3 was bitter.


Construction:
Good draw, plenty of smoke production. Burned unevenly 2/3 of the way until I had to touch it up, but only once. Beautiful firm white ash. No mess on my lap! Thin burn line with the oils shimmering just above. I was able to free the band without damaging the wrapper.



Final Thoughts:
Overall the cigar was a solid performer, but the burn and flavor got less enjoyable towards the very end. I would normally smoke it a little further than when I put this one down. Looking forward to smoking the Pudgy version next.

 

[JoeMO]

Wolf (Ecuadorian Sumatra Wrapper)
5.25 X 52

Initial dry draw reminded me of a ranch or farm. During the smoke I didn’t get any of this.

Mild sweetness, plenty of smoke, nice initial ash, spice and citrus, nice retrohale of white pepper, interesting taste, molasses, I feel my taste is all over the place, spicy woody sweetness (figure that one out), with a slight citrusy undertone. I wouldn't want to smoke this everyday, but once every month or two would be nice.

Score: 89.

 

[JoeMO]

Mummy — (Sun Grown Criollo Wrapper)
5.25 X 52
Nutty, earth, hay, dry like a wine, white pepper, maybe some woody, or dry dark toast. Ash, smoke, and burn are all good on a moderately windy day.
Pepper on the retrohale
Pleasant smoke
88

 

[cohibasurfer]

Let's Go @JoeMO !!! Start smokin' and bloggin'... I'm anxious to see the best one in there... The "Michael" reviewed. The name alone tells us all it's got to be excellent.

 

[JoeMO]

Jason - Connecticut Broadleaf Wrapper
5.25 X 52
Stick comes out swinging, spice, wood, pepper, just shy of harsh. Not to be taken lightly, the corner piece in a pan of brownies, charred toast, smoky campfire like, bitter like coffee, it would hold up to a peated scotch or High West Campfire. Got kind of smooth going into last third. Smoke, draw, ash, were all good
Overall: just a hair above my comfort zone, but an enjoyable stick
Score: 87

 

[modo22]

Finally able to catch up on this thread, nice work Joe and SmartAsh!
Joe, you and I are pretty close on a few of these so far with ratings and flavor notes:
Drac for me was absolutely amazing! I gave it a 95 vs. your 88.

Face for me was bland, not very good...just ehhh. 71 vs. your 88. I can't believe this one ranked the same for you as the Drac did! Crazy how different these can be, but I know alot of other conditions go into it. BUT I also hated the Face redux.

Wolf was a very unique smoke!! Not a ton of flavors I have had with recent monster smokes and I think that caries true in the redux; I gave it a 85 vs. your 89.

Mummy was super oily for me, very smooth with tons of hay, smoked well. Gave it an 83 vs. your 88. (you like that number 88? )

Jason was a spicy dark smoke, but it just didn't develop for me while I smoked it. Not complex at all like the others. I gave it a 77 vs. your 87.

Looking forward to see your notes on the rest!

 

[CgarDan]

Joe and Ben , curious if it’s the blend smoking a bit different from last year due to size or what, but looks like this years release is not getting many scores in the 90s

Also wondering if you think the wolfman redux or the one from the set is better. Or more or less the same ?

 

[JoeMO]

Joe and Ben , curious if it’s the blend smoking a bit different from last year due to size or what, but looks like this years release is not getting many scores in the 90s

Also wondering if you think the wolfman redux or the one from the set is better. Or more or less the same ?

In general, I haven't enjoyed them as much, but only in a nit picky way. Overall, I've been please with most aspects of each stick.

Drac for me was absolutely amazing! I gave it a 95 vs. your 88.

(you like that number 88? )

The Drac was a surprise for me as I really enjoy most of them from the MM to the Skinny to the Redux, but this stick wasn't as good for me. Not too worried about it.
I am kind of finding that my point system can get a bit narrow, but I'm not going to be a professional reviewer any time soon so it's alright.
It's good to see you posting on this thread.

 

[CgarDan]

I am actually a bit disappointed with this set. I guess I expect more from this brand in general and this release specifically

So far Frank 88-89. And Drac 86-87 at best. Both sticks had their moments of brilliance but not enough to keep me interested

I will try these again in a month or so. Hopefully some time will help marry the tobacco for a more interesting experience

 

[JoeMO]

Also wondering if you think the wolfman redux or the one from the set is better. Or more or less the same ?

I liked the Redux of the Wolf better than the Smash and it was a solid 2 hour stick.

 

[JoeMO]

Jekyll - Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus Wrapper
5.25 X 52
Construction and burn started off great, slight spice, smoking better than my previous experience with the monster mash, maybe a creaminess mixed with some white pepper, things went downhill from here, at times a lot of the white pepper, got a little burnt popcorn at the end

Overall: First third was interesting and had my attention, the last two thirds was not enjoyable. Taste was definitely not in my wheelhouse. I feel like I’m eating from a recipe that called for 1 teaspoon of white pepper and they put a couple tablespoons in it. By the end, I was really not enjoying this stick.

Score: 62.

 

[JoeMO]

The Hyde - Ecuadorian Sumatra Wrapper
5.25 X 52
Plenty of smoke, pleasant retro, nutty, earthy, slight sweetness
Not identifying a lot but it has been pleasant, slight IPA feel. This is one of those cigars that guarantee that I'll never do reviews on a large scale as I couldn't come up with much to say about it. It was basically about as average as average can get. I'd smoke it again, but I'm not going out and pursuing a box or even a fiver at this point.
Score 79.

 

[dawgie34203]

Hopefully some time will help marry the tobacco for a more interesting experience

and this is why I haven’t opened mine yet!

.

 

[modo22]

Jekyll - Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus Wrapper


Score: 62.

My Jekyll was amazing! One of the top smokes I had!! I also had a ton of white pepper and some flavors of a good steak dinner. I gave it a 90!

The Hyde - Ecuadorian Sumatra Wrapper

Score 79.

My Hyde was smooth, but not great to start. It got really good at the half way point, very earthy and sweet cedar. I gave it an 88.

I think your comment of letting these rest would have benefited some sticks. It is a shame, but hard to compete with the Monster Mash last time.

 

[JoeMO]

Krueger - Mexican San Andres Wrapper
5.25 X 52
Good start, salted pretzels, pleasant retro, a little hay/earthiness, enjoying more than the last two, hint of a campfire, some crackers coming in the last third. Everything around construction was great.
88

 

[JoeMO]

Michael - Ecuadorian Habano
5.25 X 52
Excellent couple draws at the beginning, bread, toast, chocolate?, retro is welcoming, plenty of smoke, nutty, great ash. Dang my reviews get shorter with each stick. Enjoyed this smoke much more from the Smash, than the Mash. Stogie Press has a nice review of this cigar.
86 - don't need a box of them, but enjoyed smoking it.