Tatuaje Jason

Without a doubt the Tatuaje Monster Series is one of the most popular releases the company does. Last year we saw the release of the Pudgy Monsters, which were cigars using a Monster Series blend, keeping the original ring gauge but coming in a much shorter length.

The Pudgy Monsters release was a follow up to the Little Monsters, which were shorter and skinnier versions of the originals. While this is speculation on my part, if the release timeline continues as it has in the past with the Little Monsters coming out in 2012 and the Pudgy Monsters in 2014, we could be seeing an announcement soon for another modified size Monster Series release for 2016.

Regardless of what the future brings, I thought it was time to revisit Jason from the Pudgy Monsters. Here’s what I originally had to say about it:

I really enjoyed the Jason, in fact I think it might be my favorite release in the box, edging out the Mummy by just a hair. The minor construction issues were a little annoying, but the flavor profile shined brightly enough that I hardly noticed it. The rich dark chocolate paired with the earth, spice and overall sweetness created a profile that really hit on all cylinders for me. There was also enough development throughout the cigar that things stayed interesting, changing just enough to keep things different while not straying from the enjoyable notes enough to get weird. The good news is that you shouldn’t have much trouble finding the Pudgy Monsters in stores since they’re still shipping, so when you find a box I can easily suggest picking it up.

• Cigar Reviewed: Tatuaje Jason
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 5 1/2 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Robusto
• MSRP: $9.50 (Boxes of 10, $95.00)
• Date Released: June 18, 2014
• Number of Cigars Released: 20,000 Boxes of 1 Cigars (20,000 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Redux: 1

There doesn’t appear to be much change in the Jason, still sporting a dark, toothy and slightly oily Broadleaf wrapper. The bright red band still sticks out to me as a great contrast against the dark brown of the wrapper. A singular rich barnyard note is quite apparent off the wrapper, while the cold draw features a prominent dry cocoa and just a touch of sweet peppers

The first third starts out quite close to what I remember, with some dark chocolate, a little black pepper, some spice and an earthy sweetness. As I continue on the pepper starts to fade, letting the sweetness of the dark chocolate, spice and earth shine out front. The second third doesn’t see much change, with fading pepper and mostly just dark chocolate, earth and a little spice rounding it out. Not nearly as flavorful or complex as when it was fresh, the Jason’s final third sticks with the dark chocolate, earth and background spice theme and finishes without developing any harsh notes.

The draw is more snug that I remember, and whether that’s a variation in the rolling of the cigars or that it changed as it rested, I’m not sure. While it’s snug, it’s still within acceptable limits. Though the burn is a little squirrely in the first third, it doesn’t need a touch up, but I wouldn’t call it even either. The second third sees the burn correct itself, moving much more towards an even burn even if it isn’t razor sharp. The draw has opened up as well, continuing to produce plenty of smoke with each draw. In the final third the burn continued to perform well, allowing the cigar to perform well to the end.

Brian Burt

I have been smoking cigars since 2005 and reviewing them as a hobby since 2010. Initially, I started out small with a 50-count humidor and only smoking one or two cigars a month. Not knowing anybody else that smoked cigars, it was only an occasional hobby that I took part in. In March of 2010, I joined Nublive and Cigar Asylum, connecting me with many people who also shared an interest in cigars. Reading what they had to say about brands I had never heard of, I quickly immersed myself in the boutique brands of the industry and it was then that cigars transformed from a hobby into a passion.