Tat Drac

[Brooks W]

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

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace.com/storage/Tat_Drac_Big_sm.jpg

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...

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace.com/storage/GI4C3865-sm.jpg

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...

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace.com/storage/GI4C3874-sm.jpg

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 :)

http://thesmokingstogie.squarespace.com/storage/GI4C3910-sm.jpg

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]

List comes out tomorrow. I can't wait

[elderboy02]

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

[yourchoice]

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. :tu

[mrreindeer]

Great review & pics, thanks for posting up!

[wavescrashing]

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

[SkinsFanLarry]

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

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

[e-man67]

Thanks for the review! :)

[tuxpuff]

Great review and pics! Thanks!

[pgagnon]

great review!!


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

[Slavac]

Strong want.

[Adriftpanda]

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.

[Brooks W]

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

[Slavac]

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.

[MedicCook]

Thanks for the review & pictures.

[JJG]

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.

[zitro_joe]

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

[GreekGodX]

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

[kelmac07]

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

[havanajohn]

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

[sofaman]

Thanks for the review I hope I am one of the lucky ones that can score some of these!

[Veritas]

Wonderful review. I'm hoping my local B&M can score a few of these. They definitely need to find their way into my humidor.
:dr

[s15driftking]

where's the list!!!!

[twenty5]

where's the list!!!!

1pm today!

[McSmokey]

1pm what timezone

[SkinsFanLarry]

1PM EST my brother!

[OHRD]

Did they release the store list yet?

[Smokin Gator]

I wasn't even going to look, but now I am!!!

[ActionAndy]

Definitely making some phone calls on the lunch break if we've got that list :)

[Smokin Gator]

Anyone hear of the list yet??

[vankleekkw]

It is up on the scoop page

http://tatuajecigars.com/Drac/rlist/

[OHRD]

The list has been released for the 13 retailers: http://tatuajecigars.com/Drac/rlist/

Happy Hunting!

[SmokinCozy]

Will they reserve a box?

[ActionAndy]

Just called a store in Jersey and they put me on a call-back list for when they've actually got the cigars on hand. Not sure fi I should call another store as well. I don't want to miss the opportunity to grab a box but I also don't want to have 5 different stores all thinking they're getting my businees yknow?

[Pilon]

Just reserved a box for myself. Woooo

[LockOut]

So i find it in HORRIBLE taste that Regency Cigar Emporium told me they would sell me a box of dracs with every other box of tats i purchased. WHAT BULLSHIT. I hope pete never gives them another gig for trying to pull a stunt like that to bump their sales.

On like 10 lists, who knows what ill get, if any. Theres gotta be a better way to do this.

[dogface_313]

Anyone down for a box split?

[Mr.Goodfella]

[QUOTE/So i find it in HORRIBLE taste that Regency Cigar Emporium told me they would sell me a box of dracs with every other box of tats i purchased. WHAT BULLSHIT. I hope pete never gives them another gig for trying to pull a stunt like that to bump their sales.

On like 10 lists, who knows what ill get, if any. Theres gotta be a better way to do this./QUOTE]


I agree it is in very poor taste that they do that but remember, he with the gold makes the rules, I don't think Pete is gonna like it though. In the end it worked on me, I now have a box of Dracs and a box of Havana VI Angeles.

[RightAJ]

If anyone can get an extra box PLEASE PM me... I have been dying (pun!!) for this stick. I'll pay for everything

aj

[chenvt]

I think what Goodfella did is probably your best bet.. Buy a box of Angeles.. Heck, you could probably split those off pretty easily in general.. good smoke, relatively inexpensive, and then you have your box of dracs too

[Smokin Gator]

Dang thing is blocked at work... if anyone would PM me the list I would appreciate it.

[ActionAndy]

Dang thing is blocked at work... if anyone would PM me the list I would appreciate it.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21703&page=3

Ahbroody has you covered. :tu

[Smokin Gator]

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21703&page=3

Ahbroody has you covered. :tu

Got it

[chenvt]

oh yeah, make sure you don't get your box of dracs "inspected" before it goes.. Just in case there's a golden ticket.. lol

[pgagnon]

Anyone down for a box split?

I R:tu

[Smokin Gator]

I am on two waiting lists... can't find anyone who will sell them to me... dang it!!!

[LeoM]

I am on two waiting lists... can't find anyone who will sell them to me... dang it!!!

I thought you weren't getting any of these? :D

[Smokin Gator]

I thought you weren't getting any of these? :D

I've been on a Tat tear as of late... and they look freakin AWESOME!!!

[colimo]

I WANT A BOX!!!!:ss

[ade06]

I WANT A BOX!!!!:ss

Who doesn't? :D

[Adriftpanda]

This is ridiculous! I can't believe I called 10 retailers regarding the Dracs and now I'm on 3 waiting list.

[ucla695]

Great review and pics!! :tu

[replicant_argent]

Can we meld the 3 dozen Drac threads into one thread to skip? ;)

[replicant_argent]

Not that Tats aren't tasty and all.... And Pete sure is getting the Tat fiends to come out of the woodwork/coffin/crypt/lab/etc.:r

[replicant_argent]

Can we meld the 3 dozen Drac threads into one thread to skip? ;)

Shrugs... seemed a timely bump. :D

[klipsch]

So i find it in HORRIBLE taste that Regency Cigar Emporium told me they would sell me a box of dracs with every other box of tats i purchased. WHAT BULLSHIT. I hope pete never gives them another gig for trying to pull a stunt like that to bump their sales.

I agree it is in very poor taste that they do that but remember, he with the gold makes the rules, I don't think Pete is gonna like it though. In the end it worked on me, I now have a box of Dracs and a box of Havana VI Angeles.
After talking to the guys at the Regency last weekend, this is their spin on this. They're getting 30 boxes of Drac's. Mike has a fairly large amount of regulars to his store. The only thing they're trying to do is make sure that the regulars get first crack at the inventory. After all...the Regency is the only shop in RI that's getting any Drac's or Borris'. From where I sit, and most likely the rest of the Tat lovers in RI...it sounds fair to me.

[CigarNut]

That was a really great review --thanks for the effort you put into that!

Now I just wish I could both find and afford a box...

[klipsch]

Well being local to one of the larger inventory receiving B&M's is turning out to be a bust. Regency in RI has not only sold every box they've received before their event this coming Saturday (I really had high hopes of grabbing a couple of boxes so that I'd have one available for somebody who wasn't so lucky), but the owner is limiting other customers to 1 stick each of the Drac and Boris. I'm back to thinking the guy's a tool again...http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/banghead.gif

[bigheadmark]

Do any online retailers have the Drac??

[poriggity]

Nice review Brooks. I don't agree, but thats just me. I thought the drac was junk. The boris on the other hand is a GREAT stick.

[Brooks W]

Nice review Brooks. I don't agree, but thats just me. I thought the drac was junk. The boris on the other hand is a GREAT stick.

Thats why they call them opinions :)

Just out of curiosity, how long did you let your Drac sit before smoking it?

~brooks

[Nuckz23]

Do any online retailers have the Drac??

There were some online retailers but the ones that sold online sold out in minutes. I've yet to smoke either stick but I think the Boris is a sleeper. It might be better than the Drac.

[Brooks W]

There were some online retailers but the ones that sold online sold out in minutes. I've yet to smoke either stick but I think the Boris is a sleeper. It might be better than the Drac.

It might be indeed....


~brooks

[poriggity]

Thats why they call them opinions :)

Just out of curiosity, how long did you let your Drac sit before smoking it?

~brooks

I agree bro.. Everyone's opinions are just that. It sat about 3-4 days at my local shop. I smoked a second one right after that at my house that I brought home from the same shop. I do have another to smoke to try later.
Scott

[Brooks W]

I agree bro.. Everyone's opinions are just that. It sat about 3-4 days at my local shop. I smoked a second one right after that at my house that I brought home from the same shop. I do have another to smoke to try later.
Scott

Honestly, I would let it sit for about two weeks, then try it...I think you will be pleasantly surprised...

:)

~brooks

[RightAJ]

No disrespect here Brooks, more of a tribute if anything -but I did my review of the Drac today (Halloween :D)

Hope y'all like it, I know I sure did!!

http://ajstogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/tatuaje-monster-series-2-drac.html

aj

[Nuckz23]

No disrespect here Brooks, more of a tribute if anything -but I did my review of the Drac today (Halloween :D)

Hope y'all like it, I know I sure did!!

http://ajstogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/tatuaje-monster-series-2-drac.html

aj

Nice review, I can't wait to smoke one. Resting them for a bit before I do.

[Brooks W]

No disrespect here Brooks, more of a tribute if anything -but I did my review of the Drac today (Halloween :D)

Hope y'all like it, I know I sure did!!

http://ajstogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/tatuaje-monster-series-2-drac.html

aj

Dude, writing a review of the same stick can't be disrepect :)

Great review, I am glad you tasted alot of the same flavors I did...

:ss

~brooks

[Veritas]

No disrespect here Brooks, more of a tribute if anything -but I did my review of the Drac today (Halloween :D)

Hope y'all like it, I know I sure did!!

http://ajstogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/tatuaje-monster-series-2-drac.html

aj

Nice review, AJ. :tu

[tobii3]

I got an idea...

How about a Forum/Room for the Tat Drac Threads???

[shilala]

Thanks for the excellent review, Brooks. :tu
I'd like to see you compare the Drac pre-release to the new release.
I'd like you to compare the Franks you got from me to the Boris, too. Or maybe the year old Franks to the OR Franks.
That's the kind of stuff that I really enjoy seeing. :)
Thanks again, brother!!!

[Dunkel]

I got an idea...

How about a Forum/Room for the Tat Drac Threads???

Someone had to say it! Thanks for being that someone.:tu

[Kreth]

A thought about the Borises (Borii?)... were they rolled at the same time as the Franks last year?
Posted via Mobile Device

[RightAJ]

A thought about the Borises (Borii?)... were they rolled at the same time as the Franks last year?
Posted via Mobile Device

Borisessisss is the correct term

[colimo]

My Journey to get Tat Dracs/Boris:

rather than start yet another Drac thread, i thought i would post this here for your reading/viewing pleasure.....

so it was last thursday when i got a call from my B&M that they had gotten their Dracs in....it had been snowing for 30+ hours straight, so it was pretty nasty out....i took a look outside

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/th_DSCN6844.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/?action=view&current=DSCN6844.jpg)

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/th_DSCN6842.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/?action=view&current=DSCN6842.jpg)

saw the 24" plus of snow and thought do i really want to go drive in this just to get a couple cigars....then i thought if i dont someone else will and they might be gone....

so i went out front and shoveled the snow to get the car out:
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/th_DSCN6845.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/?action=view&current=DSCN6845.jpg)

lucky i have 4 wheel drive, cause it was needed to navigate the streets...even the ones plowed...

in any event...i made it out and back....although it took an hour to drive about 4 miles

the reward:

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/th_DSCN6830.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/?action=view&current=DSCN6830.jpg)

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/th_DSCN6848.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/albums/ss185/colimo1/?action=view&current=DSCN6848.jpg)

the dog even liked the smell....

[RightAJ]

Lol nice Doug! Gotta do what ya gotta do these days... Hope you enjoy them!

aj

[DPD6030]

Nice pickups Doug and good looking pup ya got there to.

[Military_wife]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum seen and don't know much about cigars but I'm wanting to do something special for my husband who smokes often. He was talking about the special edition cigars that come out around Halloween time. I over heard his convo and would like to know where to buy some?! Dracula, the face or frankenstien ?? If anyone knows please let me know. Thanks so much!!
A.G.

[neoflex]

Holy Thread Revival.

[E.J.]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum seen and don't know much about cigars but I'm wanting to do something special for my husband who smokes often. He was talking about the special edition cigars that come out around Halloween time. I over heard his convo and would like to know where to buy some?! Dracula, the face or frankenstien ?? If anyone knows please let me know. Thanks so much!!
A.G.

The 2011 Monster Series should be available the first part of October. I believe it will be called "the Wolfman" http://2guys1stick.com/post/7850215325/tatuaje-wolfman-monster-series-2011

You could find "the Face" fairly easily in the WTB/WTS forums, "the Drac" a little less so, "Boris" even harder and IMO, "the Frank" is a Sasquatch...best to be thought of as impossible to actually see/hold/smoke in person, but know that someone has actually seen(smoked them)

I am not sure if the WTB forum is open to someone so new, but that would be a good place to start trying to find anything but "the Frank" Not to say that you couldn't try to find a few, just that I wouldn't bet on it...

Welcome to Cigar Asylum.