Tatuaje’s second redux in its Monster Series is on its way to stores, as Pete Johnson told halfwheel that The Drac Redux 2 began shipping to stores on Friday.
The Drac was the second cigar to be released in Tatuaje’s Monster Series, debuting in October 2009. The redux version will come in the same 6 3/4 x 52 belicoso vitola, with the blend still using an Ecuadorian habano maduro over a Nicaraguan dual binder and filler.
Johnson said that he made a minor tweak to the internal blend to achieve “a little more balance and flavor,” however. Johnson noted that while there are many similarities between the original and redux versions, there are some differences, as the redux has a covered foot, while the bands will be embossed as opposed to the flat, printed bands of the original cigars. Those bands will also be placed in the traditional position, as the original version’s band was wrapped around the very bottom of the cigar’s foot, and upside down on top of that.
Additionally, while the original images of the release featured a black box, Johnson said that most retailers will be getting a red box with black printing
– Halfwheel
Bought from –
Tobacco Locker
Information:
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Aging (if any): 3 years post release
Single (MSRP): $13
Box (MSRP): $169 (Coffin of 13)
Availability: Limited to 4,000 boxes
Size:
6 ¾ x 52
Band/Packaging:
The band sports the classic simple Tatuaje band in black and red, as it signifies Dracula. The box is the Limited Edition black box numbered #502. Awesome collectors item
Wrapper:
Veiny, milk chocolate brown
Construction:
Well packed, no issues. The cigar is shaped like a stake, fitting for the Drac
THE REVIEW
Cold draw:
Cocoa, baking spice, leather
First third:
Pepper, cocoa, cedar, saltiness, mineral, earth, hay
Retro:
Cocoa, cedar, sweet tobacco, saltiness, coffee
Second third:
Raisin, dark fruit, cedar, coffee, cocoa, pepper
Burn:
Excellent, no issues
Smoke:
Thick clouds, tons of output
Final third:
Cocoa, coffee, earth, nougat, (kit kat)
Retro:
Rich cocoa, pepper, black coffee, leather
Duration:
1 hour 39 minutes
Conclusion:
The Drac starts off with a strong pepper note biting the palate, and follows with cocoa and cedar on the back end. Some earthy minerality pops in and out along with a hay note. So far not a bad start. The second third, like the Frank, is where this blend takes off. Immediately a strong raisin and dark fruit note covers the palate, with cedar and coffee on the back end. This lasts for several puffs before the coffee and cocoa take over, and are complemented by a nice pepper note. Delicious second third. The final third continues with rich cocoa and coffee notes, that morph into a kit kat like chocolate nougat note, with some earth on the back end. Still very delicious. On the retro a black pepper and strong black coffee note are accompanied by a bitter cocoa note and some slight leather. So far I enjoy this one more than the Frank, and while the Frank was a good cigar, this one had more of that cocoa and dark fruit which I absolutely love. To me this is box worthy, however the boxes are few and far between. Luckily, I was able to find one for a decent price 3 years after the release. Time to get your Dracula on and hunt one down!
