Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank. This is a cigar blend previously assessed in several sizes most recently back in November 2016 in the Skinny Monsters format.
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Monster Mash Frank: 6 1/8 x 49
In 2021, Tatuaje Cigars would unveil the Tatuaje Monster Mash sampler. From 2008 to 2018, Tatuaje would pay homage to a classic or contemporary horror film character with a unique blend that would be released for Halloween. Ever since the 2008 release of “The Frank” (based on Frankenstein), these releases would set off a frenzy. In addition to the annual Halloween releases, there have been various samplers released containing different sizes of the various Monsters blends. In the case of the Monster Mash, this would be the seventh sampler released. The Monster Mash cigars would be the same ring gauge as the Halloween released “monster”, but the difference is each Monster Mash cigar was 1 1/2 inches shorter than the Halloween release. Today we take a look at the Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank release.
The chart below shows the complete history of the Tatuaje Monsters series and what is offered in one sampler. Note the Tatuaje Monster Mash includes a new “monster” known as “The Creature.” It does not have a corresponding Halloween character and at press time is exclusive to the Monster Mash series.
| Character/Collection | Full Monsters (The +) -Annual |
Little Monsters |
Pudgy Monsters | Skinny Monsters | Skinny Monsters Cazadores |
Skinny Monsters Lancero |
MBS | Monster Mash |
| Frankenstein (2008) | Frank (*) | Frank Jr. | Frank | Frank | Frank | Frank | Frank | |
| Dracula (2009) | Drac | Lil’ Drac | Drac | Drac | Drac | Drac | Drac | |
| Leather Face (2010) | Face | Baby Face | Face | Face | Face | Face | Face | |
| The Wolfman (2011) | Wolfman | Wolfie | Wolf | Wolf | Wolf | Wolf | Wolf | |
| The Mummy (2012) | Mummy | Mini Mum | Mummy | Mummy | Mummy | Mummy | Mummy | |
| Jason Voorhees (2013) | JV13 | Jason | Jason | Jason | Jason | Jason | ||
| Dr. Jekyll (2014) | Jekyll | Jekyll | Jekyll | Jekyll | Jekyll | |||
| Mr. Hyde (2015) | Hyde | Hyde | Hyde | Hyde | Hyde | |||
| Freddy Krueger (2016) | Krueger | FK | Krueger | |||||
| Chuck (2019) | Chuck | Chuck | Chuck | Chuck | Chuck | Chuck | ||
| Tiff (2019) | Tiff | Tiff | Tiff | Tiff | Tiff | Tiff | ||
| Michael Myers (2017) | Michael | Michael | ||||||
| “The Bride” (2018) | Bride | Bride | ||||||
| “The Creature (from the Black Lagoon)” (2021) | Creature |
- Re-released as Redux in 2021
The Monster Mash Frank uses the same tobacco components as the original Tatuaje The Frank blend. This consists of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over all Nicaraguan fillers. Like the original Frank, the Monster Mash Frank is a box-pressed vitola, but it is shorter at 6 1/8 x 49.
The Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank opened up with notes of cocoa powder, espresso, wood, and cedar. Early on the espresso and cocoa notes were primary. Sometimes these notes “fuse” into a mocha, but in this case, the notes were separate and distinct. On the retro-hale was a combination of cocoa and pepper. The wood and cedar settled in the background and by the end of the first third, notes of black pepper emerged in the background. The black pepper notes became the most prominent secondary note. During the second third, the espresso remained in the forefront. The cocoa diminished into the background and some earth notes surfaced. As the Monster Mash Frank entered the final third, the espresso remained primary with the pepper the most prominent secondary note. This was rounded out by earth, wood, cedar, and cocoa notes.
Throughout the smoking experience of the Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank, the flavors were medium to full-bodied countered by medium to full strength. The burn was low maintenance requiring minimal touch-ups while the draw had a touch of resistance – which is something I enjoy.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
One thing I discovered when I smoked the Skinny Lancero size of the Tatuaje Frank is that this cigar simply performs better in a box press. The Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank is a return to the box-pressed format – and it’s one that was welcomed by this reviewer. The Frank blend is one that delivers a wonderful Connecticut Broadleaf experience – and it’s a great way to kick off the Monster Mash series. Coming in at 91 points, it earns the Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence designation. At press time, the only way to get this is with a sampler and that will cost you $150.00. Since there is only one Monster Mash Frank in the sampler, if you want this cigar I’d recommend you try one first if you can to decide if a sampler purchase is worthwhile to you.
Summary
Key Flavors: Espresso, Earth, Cocoa Powder, Cedar, Wood, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Very Good
Rating
Value: Try a Sample
Score: 91
Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence
References
Previous Review: Tatuaje Skinny Frank
News: Tatuaje Monster Mash Introduced at 2021 PCA
Price: $150.00 for sampler that includes 14 different Monster Mash cigars (which includes one Monster Mash Frank)
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: Tatuaje
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
