Tatuaje’s The Face became recognizable for using a jaggedly cut piece of Ecuadorian Connecticut tobacco to serve as the band, a nod to the movie monster Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, who was known for wearing a mask made of a person’s skin.
Like its Monster Series predecessors, The Frank and The Drac, it came in boxes designed to look like coffins, complete with red paint splattered on them to mimic the look of blood. Only 13 retailers would get those dress boxes, which were limited to 666 individually numbered pieces, while a more traditional 10-count box was also created for widespread release. In total, 21,658 cigars were released for The Face.
The Face was also notable for being the first modern movie monster to be selected for Tatuaje’s Monster Series line, as Frankenstein and Dracula, both classic movie monsters, served as the inspiration for the first two releases in the series.
– Halfwheel
Bought from –
Cigars Direct
Information:
Wrapper: Mexico (San Andres)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Aging (if any): 2 years post release
Single (MSRP): $13
Box (MSRP): $169 (Coffin of 13)
Availability: 5,000 coffins
Size:
6 ¾ x 56
Band/Packaging:
Pete Johnson knocks these coffins out of the park every release, and this coffin highlights the bloodbath Leatherface creates with his victims. Highlighted with Leatherface’s Chainsaw surrounded by “blood” flying all over the coffin, this is a very fitting Coffin for The Face. The band on the cigar continues to follow the Monster trend of a simple two color slim band with the text “Tatuaje” and “MONSTER” printed. The Face sports a cream and brown band.
Wrapper:
Dark chocolate in color, well wrapped with tight seams, veiny
Construction:
Well packed, feels a little over packed
THE REVIEW
Cold draw:
Coffee, pepper, cocoa, cedar
First third:
Red pepper, coffee, black pepper, tobacco sweetness, mexican hot chocolate, earth, cinnamon, rich chocolate
Retro:
Cedar, leather, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee
Second third:
Leather, coffee, chocolate, earth, hot chocolate, cream
Burn:
Excellent, no issues
Smoke:
Thick clouds, heavy smoke
Final third:
Creamy hot chocolate, earth, coffee
Retro:
Rich chocolate, coffee, pepper, earth, slight leather, peanut butter
Duration:
2 hours 26 minutes
Conclusion:
Finally, the time has come for me to try this highly rated Monster blend, The Face. I’ve been looking forward to smoking this blend for a while now for a few reasons – The first being, I am a huge fan of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre film series. Second being from what I have heard, the notes in this blend line up just how I like it.
At light up there was an abundance of red pepper which simmered down to a nice coffee, black pepper, and tobacco sweetness. This quickly transitioned into a delicious Mexican hot chocolate, with subtle earth, cinnamon, and rounded with a rich chocolate note. Damn good so far. The second third further expanded the delicious start with a nice but not too strong leather and coffee, and the Mexican hot chocolate transitioned into a creamy hot chocolate. Just as if not more delicious than that first third. Really really enjoyed this first two thirds. Unfortunately the final third took a step down for me. Notes of a rich chocolate, coffee, pepper, and peanut butter all were good, but not quite like that second third. Still, this is one fantastic cigar and I certainly will be enjoying more of each October. If you can still find a box or singles, definitely grab them.
*2025 Elm City Cigars #3 cigar of the year*
