Tat Drac

Brooks W · 10-12-2009, 12:17 PM

You would literally have to be living on a deserted island, with seaweed stuffed in your ears, humming a few random bars from "Piano Man" ("now Paul is a real estate novelist, who never had time for his wife"...) while rocking back and forth gently to the motion of the ocean to not have heard of the Tatuaje "Monster" series.

Having said that, just in case there is even ONE of you, the faithful readers, who does not know the details, I will be more then happy to help out.

Almost one year to the day last year, a (then) smallish cigar company named "Tatuaje" (helmed by ever popular and ever tattooed Pete Johnson) released a fairly limited cigar named The "Frank", after (oddly enough) "Frankenstein", a Double Corona box press (7 5/8 x49) with a Broadleaf wrapper. 666 boxes were released, with 13 to a box, 13$ each and only 13 retailers were selected to receive them (announced on Oct. 13th, of course).

Ever since the initial release, cigar lovers have been waiting for this Oct. 31st, when the newest stick in the lineup will be released. This year, the monster chosen was the "Drac", after (oddly enough) "Dracula" (you see where he is going with this, I am sure)...Pete is on record as saying that next year's release will be "The Face", (after "LeatherFace"), a 5 ½ x 60ish stick "with a gnarly, ugly wrapper on it, a marbleized cover leaf. The cigar will be unfinished, with the wrapper drooping off the cigar". The "Wolfman" is rumored for the year after that (my idea for a nickname? "Wolfie").

However, due to the overwhelming popularity of the Frank, Pete decided to bump up the numbers. This year, there will be 1300 boxes of the Drac, with the vast majority being sold by 13 stores (again announced on Oct. 13th). And, because that was not enough, in 13 random boxes of the Drac and the Frank Undressed aka Boris (which will be 1000 boxes of the same blend as the original Frank, but with a Sumatra Rosado wrapper instead of Broadleaf, and about 1/2 inch shorter) will be 13 "Spooky Tickets" that will allow the recipient to register to win a Ducati Monster 696...

Get it? Got it? Good.

I was lucky (unlucky?) enough to get a Prerelease sample of the Drac (and the upcoming Black Label tubo, which will be a review later this month), and so, as is my curse, I thought I would detail my experience.

Enough chitchat, let's get down to business, shall we?

* Country of Origin: Nicaragua
* Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano Maduro)
* Binder: Nicaragua
* Filler: Nicaragua
* Size: 6.75 Inches (Torpedo)
* Ring Gauge: 52
* Est. Price: $13 (MSRP)
* Date Released: Oct. 31, 2009

The first thing I noticed with this stick was the HUGE size, ironically, almost like a stake...I mean, it is BIG...The wrapper is a dark chocolate brown color, with a slight reddish tint, and did not have much of a smell (other then tobacco, obviously)...the wrapper is also VERY rough (sort of like the Frank in that way) with almost no oil at all...the cigar is obviously well constructed, and has a killer triple cap on it...It was honestly a joy to hold...

After cutting and lighting, I was ready for the typical BLAST of pepper and spice that accompanies almost every Tat on the market, but was surprised when it did not happen...yes, there was pepper, and yes, there was spice, but it was blended from the beginning with notes of cedar, earth, and what I can only describe as sweet raisins...I was literally dumbstruck at the quality of the flavors from the first third...

In the Second Third, the pepper picked up strength quite a bit, and there was more dark chocolate flavor, with quite a bit of leather thrown in...and underneath it all was that sweet raisin taste, kind of a sweet tartness, if that makes any sense...

The last third was all about the sweetness...along with the aforementioned raisins, there were distinct flavors of caramel and cedar...the pepper was in and out for the last third (but never disappearing totally), but the strength picked up quite a bit at the end...It never got hot at the end, and I was easily able to nub it (thankfully

Final Notes:

* The Construction, Draw and Burn on this cigar were nothing short of amazing...Padron-esque, if you will...
* This stick produced A BUNCH of smoke, and it was very aromic...it had a sweet peppery floral scent...
* The Final smoking time was 1 hour and 55 minutes

The Bottom Line: This is easily one of the most complex and refined cigars I have smoked...So many flavors that complimented each other (instead of competing with each other) and underneathth it all was that Wonderfully sweet raisin note that tied it all together...Even after smoking just one, I can tell you that this is the complete package: flavor, quality and construction that is truly a joy to smoke. I will be buying as many of these as I can get my hands on.

Final Score: 96

LockOut · 10-12-2009, 12:22 PM

List comes out tomorrow. I can't wait

yourchoice · 10-12-2009, 12:26 PM

Sounds like a winner. The "too-much-pepper" taste turns me off several Pepin smokes, including the couple Tats (browns) I've had. This sounds like they went for a more balanced profile which is a good thing IMO.

Great review. Thanks for sharing.

10-12-2009, 12:28 PM

Great review & pics, thanks for posting up!

MedicCook · 10-12-2009, 03:28 PM

Thanks for the review & pictures.

JJG · 10-12-2009, 03:32 PM

I was waiting for the review on these. That didn't take long! sounds like a fine smoke, don't know if I'll be able to track one down yet.

elderboy02 · 10-12-2009, 12:23 PM

Thanks for the review. I plan on picking up 130 boxes.

wavescrashing · 10-12-2009, 12:31 PM

Thanks for the great review. I'll definitely have my eyes peeled tomorrow!

10-12-2009, 01:00 PM

Brooksey, great review and pic's as usual my brother!

(you forgot to post your "hand-written" notes though!)

e-man67 · 10-12-2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the review!

Brooks W · 10-12-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinsFanLarry

Brooksey, great review and pic's as usual my brother!

(you forgot to post your "hand-written" notes though!)

Hey!

Actually, Cigar Asylum only allows me to post 5 Photos total, so something has to be left off

~brooks

10-12-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooks W

Hey!

Actually, Cigar Asylum only allows me to post 5 Photos total, so something has to be left off

~brooks

5 photos per post I believe.

tuxpuff · 10-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Great review and pics! Thanks!

10-12-2009, 01:46 PM

great review!!

you guys think there is gonna be some GB of that since i wont be able to get one

10-12-2009, 02:05 PM

Strong want.

Adriftpanda · 10-12-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgagnon

great review!!

you guys think there is gonna be some GB of that since i wont be able to get one

I'm sure there will be since this year it's almost double I believe in production as last years.

I can't wait to get my hands on this... there's so much hype on this stick, I better not be disappointed.

zitro_joe · 10-12-2009, 03:34 PM

Dang, bro! That is awesome, I cant wait to get one.

GreekGodX · 10-12-2009, 03:59 PM

Thanks for the info and detailed review! Cannot wait to hopefully get one!

kelmac07 · 10-12-2009, 04:08 PM

Thanks Brooks...something else to add to my "want list".

havanajohn · 10-12-2009, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the great review. I too will be in the hunt for em.

10-12-2009, 12:17 PM	#1
Brooks W Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 833 Trading: (70)	Tat Drac You would literally have to be living on a deserted island, with seaweed stuffed in your ears, humming a few random bars from "Piano Man" ("now Paul is a real estate novelist, who never had time for his wife"...) while rocking back and forth gently to the motion of the ocean to not have heard of the Tatuaje "Monster" series. Having said that, just in case there is even ONE of you, the faithful readers, who does not know the details, I will be more then happy to help out. Almost one year to the day last year, a (then) smallish cigar company named "Tatuaje" (helmed by ever popular and ever tattooed Pete Johnson) released a fairly limited cigar named The "Frank", after (oddly enough) "Frankenstein", a Double Corona box press (7 5/8 x49) with a Broadleaf wrapper. 666 boxes were released, with 13 to a box, 13$ each and only 13 retailers were selected to receive them (announced on Oct. 13th, of course). Ever since the initial release, cigar lovers have been waiting for this Oct. 31st, when the newest stick in the lineup will be released. This year, the monster chosen was the "Drac", after (oddly enough) "Dracula" (you see where he is going with this, I am sure)...Pete is on record as saying that next year's release will be "The Face", (after "LeatherFace"), a 5 ½ x 60ish stick "with a gnarly, ugly wrapper on it, a marbleized cover leaf. The cigar will be unfinished, with the wrapper drooping off the cigar". The "Wolfman" is rumored for the year after that (my idea for a nickname? "Wolfie"). However, due to the overwhelming popularity of the Frank, Pete decided to bump up the numbers. This year, there will be 1300 boxes of the Drac, with the vast majority being sold by 13 stores (again announced on Oct. 13th). And, because that was not enough, in 13 random boxes of the Drac and the Frank Undressed aka Boris (which will be 1000 boxes of the same blend as the original Frank, but with a Sumatra Rosado wrapper instead of Broadleaf, and about 1/2 inch shorter) will be 13 "Spooky Tickets" that will allow the recipient to register to win a Ducati Monster 696... Get it? Got it? Good. I was lucky (unlucky?) enough to get a Prerelease sample of the Drac (and the upcoming Black Label tubo, which will be a review later this month), and so, as is my curse, I thought I would detail my experience. Enough chitchat, let's get down to business, shall we? * Country of Origin: Nicaragua * Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano Maduro) * Binder: Nicaragua * Filler: Nicaragua * Size: 6.75 Inches (Torpedo) * Ring Gauge: 52 * Est. Price: $13 (MSRP) * Date Released: Oct. 31, 2009 The first thing I noticed with this stick was the HUGE size, ironically, almost like a stake...I mean, it is BIG...The wrapper is a dark chocolate brown color, with a slight reddish tint, and did not have much of a smell (other then tobacco, obviously)...the wrapper is also VERY rough (sort of like the Frank in that way) with almost no oil at all...the cigar is obviously well constructed, and has a killer triple cap on it...It was honestly a joy to hold... After cutting and lighting, I was ready for the typical BLAST of pepper and spice that accompanies almost every Tat on the market, but was surprised when it did not happen...yes, there was pepper, and yes, there was spice, but it was blended from the beginning with notes of cedar, earth, and what I can only describe as sweet raisins...I was literally dumbstruck at the quality of the flavors from the first third... In the Second Third, the pepper picked up strength quite a bit, and there was more dark chocolate flavor, with quite a bit of leather thrown in...and underneath it all was that sweet raisin taste, kind of a sweet tartness, if that makes any sense... The last third was all about the sweetness...along with the aforementioned raisins, there were distinct flavors of caramel and cedar...the pepper was in and out for the last third (but never disappearing totally), but the strength picked up quite a bit at the end...It never got hot at the end, and I was easily able to nub it (thankfully Final Notes: * The Construction, Draw and Burn on this cigar were nothing short of amazing...Padron-esque, if you will... * This stick produced A BUNCH of smoke, and it was very aromic...it had a sweet peppery floral scent... * The Final smoking time was 1 hour and 55 minutes The Bottom Line: This is easily one of the most complex and refined cigars I have smoked...So many flavors that complimented each other (instead of competing with each other) and underneathth it all was that Wonderfully sweet raisin note that tied it all together...Even after smoking just one, I can tell you that this is the complete package: flavor, quality and construction that is truly a joy to smoke. I will be buying as many of these as I can get my hands on. Final Score: 96

10-12-2009, 12:22 PM	#2
LockOut Burn Baby Burn Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: I'm a traveling monkey Posts: 623 Trading: (12)	Re: Tat Drac List comes out tomorrow. I can't wait __________________ Bráithreachas Thar Gach Ni IAFF Local #4907

10-12-2009, 12:26 PM	#3
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,095 Trading: (36)	Re: Tat Drac Sounds like a winner. The "too-much-pepper" taste turns me off several Pepin smokes, including the couple Tats (browns) I've had. This sounds like they went for a more balanced profile which is a good thing IMO. Great review. Thanks for sharing.

10-12-2009, 12:28 PM	#4
mrreindeer Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tat Drac Great review & pics, thanks for posting up!

10-12-2009, 03:28 PM	#5
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Tat Drac Thanks for the review & pictures. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

10-12-2009, 03:32 PM	#6
JJG Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Houston Posts: 1,260 Trading: (4)	Re: Tat Drac I was waiting for the review on these. That didn't take long! sounds like a fine smoke, don't know if I'll be able to track one down yet.

10-12-2009, 12:23 PM	#7
elderboy02 Lets Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12,509 Trading: (133)	Re: Tat Drac Thanks for the review. I plan on picking up 130 boxes.

10-12-2009, 12:31 PM	#8
wavescrashing Unofficial CA Boli Ho Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Mike Location: An island? Posts: 509 Trading: (19)	Re: Tat Drac Thanks for the great review. I'll definitely have my eyes peeled tomorrow!

10-12-2009, 01:00 PM	#9
SkinsFanLarry Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tat Drac Brooksey, great review and pic's as usual my brother! (you forgot to post your "hand-written" notes though!)

10-12-2009, 01:02 PM	#10
e-man67 Big Drunkin Monkey!! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Eric Posts: 1,480 Trading: (29)	Re: Tat Drac Thanks for the review!

10-12-2009, 01:32 PM	#13
tuxpuff Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Luke Location: Austin Posts: 877 Trading: (2)	Re: Tat Drac Great review and pics! Thanks!

10-12-2009, 01:46 PM	#14
pgagnon Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tat Drac great review!! you guys think there is gonna be some GB of that since i wont be able to get one

10-12-2009, 02:05 PM	#15
Slavac Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tat Drac Strong want.

10-12-2009, 03:34 PM	#17
zitro_joe Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Joe Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 270 Trading: (16)	Re: Tat Drac Dang, bro! That is awesome, I cant wait to get one.

10-12-2009, 03:59 PM	#18
GreekGodX Opa!! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Christos Location: 7 Line Posts: 4,894 Trading: (82)	Re: Tat Drac Thanks for the info and detailed review! Cannot wait to hopefully get one! __________________ "If I give a businessman 10,000 francs, what is that to him, he is rich. But if I give him a Cohiba cigar, that is style."-Hotel Rwanda

10-12-2009, 04:08 PM	#19
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Tat Drac Thanks Brooks...something else to add to my "want list". __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-12-2009, 04:59 PM	#20
havanajohn Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: John Location: Central NJ Posts: 360 Trading: (26)	Re: Tat Drac Thanks for the great review. I too will be in the hunt for em.