Tatuaje Wolfman - Monster Series LE #4

For Halloween 2011, Tatuaje again released another Monster Series smoke, this year being the 'Wolfman.'  As with the previous year there were only 666 dress boxes (coffins) of thirteen cigars, and 1300 (though Pete claims more like 1500 were made this year to compensate for demand) plain boxes of ten.  As usual the Monster cigars again created quite a stir for those searching out this year's offering- a box pressed torpedo sporting a Sumatra wrapper and an unwrapped foot.  Weighing in at 7.5 inches, this will be the second longest stick in the lineup.  Given the hype created every year with these LEs, the expectations are high, so lets see what the Wolfie has to offer...

Lit with matches on a brisk evening, accompanied by water.

Pre-Light - Smells of raw tobacco and hay, and sports a splotchy, smooth, leathery wrapper.  Pre-light draw is fairly loose.

First Third -  The first third, starting with the uncut foot, begins with some mild cedary spice, leather, wood and some hay.  The spice lingers in the back of my mouth.  Once the wrapper starts to burn, the flavors begin to round out and become heavier/more complex.  Draw is light but not too light, and the burn is fantastic.

Second Third - The strength has began top pick up a notch, and the spice has cooled down a bit, though it is still there.  Flavor-wise there is a bit of chocolate/molasses sweetness, leather, hay, and developing earth notes.  Not the most complex, but very enjoyable. The draw is still going well, and the burn is fantastic.

Third Third - Flavors continue to be similar to the second third, though both body and flavors have dipped in strength just a notch.  Though still not particularly complex, the flavors meld together in a tasteful manner. The finish is quite dry (as in wine) which adds a nice touch.  I can taste a tiny bit of bitterness which I will attribute to youth until further exploration down the road.

Conclusion and Score - As usual, I was not disappointed by Pete Johnson's spooky Halloween offering.  The dress box was well detailed, the cigars themselves quite a treat to the eye, and the smoke itself a memorable experience.  I am definitely partial to LE smokes, the Monsters specifically, but there is no denying the richness of the spice, wood, leather and subtle sweetness that the Wolfman delivers.  Pile on the solid construction, and you have a winner.  The mild bitterness toward the end of the cigar is my only fuss, though I think with time this will fade.   Overall this Monster gets a 91 in my book, though I have no doubt it will get better with even a few months of age.

Update on the prior year Monster cigars:
*I had a Face recently and it was fantastic, it's amazing what a year can do for these; the Drac wasn't quite what I remembered but still a very good stick; the Frank was a bit disappointing ( I remember thinking 88-ish) after all the hype and high prices, though I'm keeping a few around hoping it is just a sick period!*

Opus X Love Affair

This special Opus size was released by Fuente around Christmas time in 2009, a renamed 'Love Story' which had been a 2008 release of the same size to commemorate Carlos Fuente's 55th wedding anniversary.  It is a fun little shape (WOA like) and I am looking forward to lighting it up after a long week.  Haven't had an Opus in a while so this should be a treat!



First Third
-Starts with a blast of Opus-y wood, leather, and after you get past the little nub, SPICE!
-In the background I can taste a hint of strong espresso
-Perfect draw, burn is great, and the nub ash stayed on and looks cool

Second Third
-This thing is a smokestack.. billows of smoke
-Spice has cut back (more cedary now) but still in the back of my throat, flavor are consistent with some added mocha sweetness
-Draw is still smooth as ever, burn is doing well considering I'm on the 16th floor balcony

Third Third
-A complex blend of background spice, mocha sweetness, wood, and mild espresso- exceptional smoke
-Started more full bodied, but mellowed a bit to a medium+
-Finish is fairly long and dry, very 'tight' if that makes sense
-Nubbed till my fingers burned!

Conclusion and Score
For my first recent Opus, this more than satisfied my taste for Fuente's best line.  The size of this little stick was quite fun, and displayed perfect construction throughout.  The body was on par with other smaller Opus sticks (less than a Power Ranger though), while the flavors were nothing short of deliciously complex.  With the signature Opus spice, wood, and leather, along with some sweetness and espresso, this cigar has me kicking myself that I didn't buy more when they came out.  Easily worth 94 points.  Not sure how these were when they came out, but as most Opus lovers know, they get much better with age.  After only two years though, the Love Affair has become a very memorable cigar.

Punch Ninfas ('02)

***Pics coming soon, I forgot my camera at home!

I was recently gifted this tough to find old stick by a SOTL, and thought it would be perfect for my first review in a while (life has been beyond hectic lately..).  The Ninfas has a cult following since being discontinued in 2002, but suffer from occasional draw problems I've heard.  Though I am not a big fan of Punch CCs, I am expecting this cigar to be pretty good!

Sitting out back tonight with a glass of water.  Cut with my Xikar and lit with a torch.

Pre-light - The smell is mainly notes of hay, and the pre-light draw is the same.  The wrapper is a light golden Colorado with some tiny veins.

First Third - Though the draw is on the tougher side, the initial flavors are am elegant mix of medium bodied hay, chocolate, and some spice in the finish.  Unmistakably Cuban.  The smoke is fairly thick for such a thin gauge, and  the ash doesn't last too long, though that is to be expected.

Second Third - This third has a bit more spice to it, with the same hay flavor and some earthiness as well.  The draw leaves a bit to be desired but it is definitely smokable (I probably should have dry-boxed).  Loving this stick!

Third Third - Draw has loosened up now, and the flavors continue to be hay, spicy pepper, and earth.  The finish is long, with lingering spice.  Perfectly smooth up front all they way through the finish.  An almost malty flavor pops up towards the end.

Conclusion and Score - I can totally see why these cigars are so sought after.  Minus some draw tightness, this thing has it all- flavor, a smooth texture, a lasting finish, and that definitive Cuban tastiness.  I would rate this a 93, with room for improvement mainly in draw.  Not the most complex cigar out there, but a true jem for CC and thin gauge lovers alike.

Hoya De Monterrey Le Hoyo de Dauphin ('01)

I received this stick a while back after a trade or box split of some sort, can't exactly remember but thank you whoever sent it!  I've been itching for some mild Cuban flavor lately and figured this should do the trick.  Despite the 'issues' with '99-'01 CCs, I expecting this to be a good smoke, but we shall see!

Cut with my Xikar while sitting on the front porch, drinking water and some bourbon.  Lit with matches.

Pre-Light - Very light caramel wrapper, a nice tug on the draw with minimal cold draw flavors.

First Third -Initial flavors are very mild, with a floral/vegetal notes and a bit of cedar that hits the back of your throat.  Definitive Cuban flavors, though quite mild even for a HDM.  The draw has a typical CC tug, and construction seems solid thus far.  I immediately realized that the bourbon was much to strong for this stick on its own, and resolved to drink some water after each sip.  This is definitely a morning coffee habano.

Second Third - Similar flavors to the first third, with a more grassy flavor now.  The construction is still solid, though the ash doesn't last too long, maybe a half inch before it becomes brittle.

 
Third Third - Can't say there is much more going on here.  As the smoke comes to the end, the flavors are mainly the grassy and 'garden' notes from the first and second thirds, as the cedar has all but dropped out.  Construction continues to be spot on.

Conclusion and Score - This would be a great relaxing smoke with some coffee, sitting on the porch in the morning.  Not to say it was too mild, but this was definitely very light in both body and flavor, earning an 84 from me.  I wouldn't hesitate to smoke this stick again, but it was much too light for me to make regular visits.  Basically a perfect 'background' smoke if you know what I mean.

Oliva Master Blends 3 Robusto ('08) Quick Review

I have always loved this stick, from the first one I smoked a few years ago.  Right after I realized how much I liked them I was able to pick up an almost full box of '08s from a BOTL on the forums, and have enjoy them periodically since.  Now that I'm getting down to the end of the box I figure these deserve a review, so lets see how one of my favorite everyday sticks does!

Smoking outside tonight on the porch (it has been raining all week.. blah) with a glass of water after a beer.  Cut with a Palio, lit with matches.

First Third

-Starts with dark, roasty flavors of raw tobacco, wood, creamy cedar spice and earth

-Light draw with very thick smoke

-Rich, complex and medium+ in body so far

-Construction is great, as to be expect with all Oliva products

Second Third

-Similar flavors to the first third, now with some added coffee notes and even some malt

-A wonderfully balanced smoke

-D/A/B still flawless

Third Third

-The wood, coffee, tobacco and spice flavors melt together towards the end

-Body has increased a bit, though still only on the fringe of full

-Construction is still great

Conclusion and Score

This cigar has it all- interesting flavors, great balance, and fantastic construction.  I love oval shape, the leathery rough wrapper, and particularly the dark coffee and tobacco flavors.  Age has certainly treated this stick well;  the body has gone from full to medium+ but the flavors and finish became creamy smooth.  My only issue was a bit of nicotine-bitterness at the end, though this is to be expected with many beefier Nicaraguan sticks. Definitely worth a 93 point rating, and I so wish I had more!

Viaje Scull and Bones 'Daisy Cutter'

A while back when these were released (since, there have been 3 new vitolas in the S&B line) I picked up some of these limited release Viajes with the intention of doing a 'new stick' type of review.  I ended up forgetting about them for a while (always a good thing with cigars) and figured I would do a 'Where are they now?' review.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the stick, released as a powerhouse of nicotine in a small package, has turned into after almost a year of humidor time.

Pre-light - This small vitola has a rich chocolate wrapper with a very smooth feel.  The pre-light draw provides a bit of tug and some mild sweetness.

First Third -The cigar starts with some sweet wood, a bit of cedary spice, raw tobacco, and a dry, smokey (as in food) flavor.  Drawing is not an issue in tug or feel, despite it's girth, and the smoke is fairly dense.  As it progresses, some coffee like creaminess enters.  Despite the heavy nature of the flavors and the imminent strength of the stick, I wouldn't say it is the least bit overpowering, something one might expect.  Definitely not full full-bodied in the first third, more like medium+

Second Third - This third find the flavors mellowing into a complex, creamy fusion of leather, wood and cedar.  Construction is still great, as with most Viajes I have found, as the ash held over an inch before I clumsily dropped in on my white shirt.  It could just be the massive hunk of delicious cow I ate for dinner, or the humi time, but I'm honestly not feeling a huge nic-kick thus far...  Not that that has any bearing on the quality of the cigar.


Third Third -   I must say the progression in this cigar is awesome. It has finally hit full-bodied, and not just with a tap- the strength here is pretty apparent.  The flavors in the last third come out of their shell a bit from the last third, but remain fairly consistent, though there are a bit more spice and tobacco notes.  The last whole third is so rich and complex I wish it had been longer!

Conclusion and Score - Granted I haven't been smoking much lately because I've been crazy busy, so anything would be at least somewhat enjoyable, but this cigar was absolutely phenomenal.  The flavor profile was rich, complex, and full, while the construction was perfect.  While it was a strong little stick later on, it wasn't the beast I was expecting.  But nicotine bomb or not, no question this was a great cigar and worth 93 points in my book.

PS I remember Brooks from SmokingStogie.com saying that this stick and the similarly sized/strength Tatuaje T110 (which I reviewed a while back, one of the few sticks I hoard) were totally different, and he was spot on.