Tatuaje Tiff

The Tatuaje Tiff is a part of Tatuaje’s Pudgy Monsters series that was released in mid 2014.  This is the second sampler series released based on Tatuaje’s Monsters Series – a cigar released on an annual basis that pays homage to a different monster / horror movie character.  In 2012, the Tatuaje Little Monsters series was released which provided smaller and thinner versions of the original Monster Series releases.  The Pudgy Monsters series follows up with another set of smaller monsters, but these have larger ring gauges (in most cases the same ring gauge as the original and same length as the Little Monsters).  Two of the installments, Tatuaje Chuck and Tatauje Tiff are based on the Chucky and Tiffany characters from the Child’s Play movies.  They also are entirely new and unreleased blends that have not been a part of any Monsters series release.  Today, we take a look at the Tatuaje Tiff.  Overall, I found this to be very different from the other Monsters series releases, but a cigar that really holds its own.

The Pudgy Monsters series consists of 10 cigars.  There is one cigar per blend that has previously been released in the Monsters series.  The new blends, Chuck and Tiff contain two cigars.

(Pudgy) Frank (Based on the 2008’s Tatuaje Monster Series – The Frank) 
(Pudgy) Drac (Based on 2009’s  Tatuaje Monster Series – The Drac)
(Pudgy) Face (Based on 2010’s Tatuaje Monster Series -The Face)
(Pudgy) Wolf  (Based on 2011’s Tatuaje Monster Series – The Wolfman)
(Pudgy) Mummy (Based on 2012’s Tatuaje Monster Series – The Mummy)
(Pudgy) Jason (Based on 2013’s Tatuaje Monster Series – JV13)
(Pudgy) Chuck – New Blend
(Pudgy) Tiff – New Blend

As for the Tiff, the other unique thing about this cigar is that it is the first cigar in any of the Monsters / Little Monsters / Pudgy Monsters releases to use an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper.  More on that later.

Without further ado, let’s break down the Tatuaje Tiff and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

As mentioned, the Tatuaje Tiff introduces an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper into the series.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Vitolas Available

Tatuaje Tiff is available in one size – a 4 x 50 short robusto.  This is the only size for this blend.  The Tatuaje Chuck is also the same size making the Tiff and Chuck the two shortest vitolas in any of the Monsters / Little Monsters / Pudgy Monsters releases.

Appearance

The Tatuaje Tiff has a light brown colored wrapper to it.  The wrapper itself has a light amount of oil on it.  There are some visible wrapper seams.  As for veins, there were very few visible ones on the surface of the wrapper.

The band is based on the standard “Tatuaje” scripted logo. The script font is black on an white background. To the left of the “Tatuaje” scripting is the text “PUDGY” in the redfont. To the right of the scripting” it says “MONSTERS” – also in white font. To the far right is a black Tatuaje “Tattoo” stamp.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

Prior to lighting up the Tatuaje Tiff, I went with my usual choice of a straight cut to remove the cap. Once the cap was clipped, it was on to the pre-light draw. The cold draw provided some nice flavors as I detected notes of cedar sweet spice and cream. Overall I was pleased with the pre-light draw of the Tatuaje Tiff. At this point I was ready to light up this cigar and see what the overall cigar experience would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The start to the Tatuaje Tiff provided notes of black pepper, wood, and nut.  This was soon joined by some subtle notes of cream and fruit in the background.  The black pepper could also be detected on the retro-hale.  While there was some pepper notes on both the tongue and retro-hale, this was not an overwhelming spice by any means.

By the end of the first third, the wood notes became more of a sweet cedar.  The cedar along with the nut flavors were primary.  Meanwhile the pepper notes receded into the background joining the cream and fruit notes.

In the second third, the cedar and nut flavors continued to be primary.  The fruit sweetness started to dissipate while the pepper and cream notes remained secondary.  Both the pepper and cream notes increased as the Tiff entered the second half.

In the last third, the cream notes joined the nut and cedar upfront.  There was a slight increase in the pepper, but not enough to overpower this cigar with spice.  This is the way the flavor profile held until the end.  The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

Construction-wise, I found the Tatuaje Tiff to be very well made – and this was reflected on both the burn and draw attributes.  While there was some slight jaggedness along the burn line, I found the burn overall to remain straight.  This cigar was never in danger of tunneling or canoeing.  The resulting ash had a salt and pepper color and was slightly loose.  The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

Burn of the Tatuaje Tiff

As for the draw, I found it to be excellent.  It was not too tight and not too loose.  Overall, I found this a low maintenance cigar to puff on.

Strength and Body

I found this cigar to have a little more in the way in strength and body than most Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper cigars – and I found that this worked very well for this particular blend. I assessed the Tatuaje Tiff as a medium strength, medium-bodied cigar from start to finish. In terms of strength versus body, I found both attributes to balance each other nicely with neither one overshadowing the other.

Final Thoughts

The Tatuaje Tiff was a very enjoyable cigar.  This is a cigar that delivered excellent flavor.  I found the extra strength and body really helped this particular blend.   I also think the short robusto was ideal for this blend and my gut tells me a longer and / or larger vitola might not lend as positive an experience. In my book, Johnson’s work with his Cabaiguan line has proven to me he can do great things with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper on a cigar.  I’m not quite ready to put the Tatuaje Tiff in that category, but this is still a good cigar.   While it’s not a radically different Ecuadorian Connecticut cigar, the fact that has this wrapper makes the Tatuaje Tiff different than any of the other Tatuaje Monsters.

Overall this is a cigar I’d recommend to either a novice or experienced cigar enthusiasts open to smoking an Ecuadorian Connecticut blend.  I found this a cigar to score very nicely.  In terms of purchasing power this small cigar is a little hefty (Given the Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters goes for $95.00, this averages out to $9.50 a cigar).  Overall I still found this worth of a fiver in my book.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 3.0 – The Fiver
Score: 91


References


News: Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters Released
Price: ~$9.50
Source: Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Stogie Geeks Episode 101
Stogie Feed: Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters: Tiff