With Labor Day behind us, the fall season is just around the corner, bringing cooler temperatures and one of the most anticipated holidays of the yearโHalloween. For cigar aficionados, fall also means something else: the release of Tatuajeโs Monster Series, Pete Johnsonโs annual homage to horror icons. This year, Johnson has something special up his sleeve with the release of the Tatuaje Monster Smash, a 14-cigar sampler that takes the Monster Series to new heights.
A Halloween Tradition: The Tatuaje Monster Series
The Tatuaje Monster Series has been a staple in the cigar community since its debut in 2008. Inspired by legendary horror characters from film and television, each yearly release has brought cigar lovers a unique smoking experience. Past releases have paid tribute to some of the most iconic figures of horror, including Dracula, Frankenstein, Freddy Krueger, and more. Johnsonโs creativity extends beyond the cigar names; each blend is crafted to match the personality of the character it represents, making these cigars not just collectibles, but memorable smoking experiences.
Over the years, the Tatuaje Monster Series has expanded beyond just annual releases. Samplers have also been introduced, starting with the Little Monsters and then Monster Mash in 2021. The latter included all 13 Monster Series blends, along with a special release called The Creature, inspired by the 1954 classic film, Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Creature was a unique blend, featuring tobaccos grown entirely by the Garcia family in Nicaragua, adding even more intrigue to the already beloved series.
Introducing the Tatuaje Monster Smash Sampler
This yearโs release, Tatuaje Monster Smash, offers something fans of the series have never seen before. The sampler includes all 13 Monster Series blends in a brand-new size: a box-pressed robusto. Measuring 5 1/4 inches by 52 ring gauge, this size brings a fresh experience to each blend while offering uniformity across the sampler.
The Monster Smash lineup includes all the familiar faces from previous years, such as:
- Frank
- Drac
- Face
- Wolf
- Mummy
- Jason
- Jekyll
- Hyde
- Krueger
- Michael
- Chuck
- Tiff
- Bride
- Creature
Each cigar in this sampler is box-pressed, a first for the series, adding a unique twist to the experience of smoking these cult-classic blends. This level of consistency in size and shape makes it easier for aficionados to focus on the nuances of each blend without being distracted by varying formats.
The Packaging: A Collectorโs Dream
The Tatuaje Monster Smash sampler isnโt just about the cigarsโitโs a complete experience, starting with the packaging. The cigars come packed in a hinged box that opens like a book, with seven cigars on each side. This clever design adds to the spooky charm, making it feel like youโre opening a tome of terror, fitting for the Halloween season.
With just 13,000 boxes produced, the Monster Smash sampler is bound to become a sought-after collectible. The suggested retail price is $175 per box, which translates to approximately $12.50 per cigarโa fair price for the craftsmanship, premium tobacco, and the limited-edition nature of this release.
A Limited Release Crafted in Nicaragua
As with all Tatuaje Monster Series cigars, the Monster Smash sampler was crafted at My Father Cigars S.A. in Nicaragua, a factory renowned for its quality and precision. Every cigar in this sampler is made from top-tier Nicaraguan tobacco, showcasing the expertise of the Garcia family, who have been working closely with Pete Johnson for years. The factoryโs involvement ensures that the blends remain true to their origins while delivering the impeccable quality Tatuaje smokers have come to expect.
With its unique box-pressed robusto format, collectible packaging, and the opportunity to smoke through 14 iconic blends, this release is the perfect way to celebrate Halloweenโor any time youโre in the mood for a hauntingly good smoke.
But act fastโjust like the monsters theyโre named after, these cigars will disappear quickly!
