Skinny Monsters: Mummy

by David Jones · May 24, 2016

Vitola: Petite Lancero
6” x 38 ring gauge
MSRP $85, as part of Skinny Monsters collection
Purchased at Burns Tobacconist

Background

So, for those who have been disconnected from cigar shops and social media for the last decade, here’s a short recap…in October 2008, Tatuaje released 666 boxes of 13 sticks in the first of the “Monster Series.” It became an annual tradition, with production increased in subsequent years, though the number of “dress boxes” remains at 666. In the spring or summer of 2012, the first “Specialty Monsters” box was released…this was “Little Monsters,” which included 2 each of 5 blends (the first 4 regular Monsters, plus a preview of that year’s Mummy). 2014 saw the release of the Pudgy Monsters set; for that one, each cigar had the ring gauge of the original release, but the length of the “Little” release. There was only 1 of each of the 6 released blends, plus 2 each of 2 new blends…Chuck and Tiff…that were destined to not be released in a full-size.

Now for 2016, we have been presented with “Skinny Monsters.” The box contains 10 cigars, 1 each of the first 8 Monster blends, plus Chuck and Tiff again. For the first time, all the cigars share the same vitola…a Petite Lancero at 6 inches long by 38 ring gauge. I will be smoking through each of these blends and giving some thoughts on them over the next few weeks. I am smoking through them in reverse order from the order they were released in, working right to left through the box.

The Mummy was the fifth Monster release, coming out in October 2012. When released, it was said to have been based on the famous Tatuaje Black Label, also known as the Private Reserve. This meant Nicaraguan filler, binder and wrapper leaves. I smoked my way through almost an entire 10-count box of The Mummy, with one still remaining in my aging humidor, and this is a blend that I definitely enjoyed. And I enjoy the Black Label, especially in the Corona Gorda and Petite Lancero vitolas, so this is definitely a cigar I have been looking forward to.

Notes

I noticed that the wrapper on this Skinny Mummy seemed quite a bit darker than what was on the original Mummy and because I had a leftover original, I was able to confirm that suspicion. This almost looks like a Maduro, it’s so much darker. For comparison’s sake, I found a Black Label Robusto I have in my humidor and took a picture of all three. If nothing else, it’s interesting to see the variation in the colors of the three…The Mummy being the lightest and the Skinny Mummy being the darkest.

The wrapper was oily under my fingers and had just a hint of leather and earth to it. The earth notes came out much stronger on the foot, which is finished and cut clean, unlike both the original Mummy and the Black Label. After cutting, I got a good cold draw that tasted of earth with a bit of sweetness.

Despite the darkness of the wrapper, when I lit up the cigar, the flavor was familiar…very Black Label-esque. I got dark earth at first, followed by some dried fruit sweetness, and a slight pepper burn on the finish. The retrohale was also peppery, with some cedar and roasted nuts underneath. Subsequent puffs revealed a riper, stronger earthiness. If “Cuban” was the intent with this blend, the strong earthiness definitely hits the right area.

Throughout, the Skinny Mummy was rich and earthy, with just enough natural sweetness to balance it out. Along the way there were hints of cocoa powder and coffee in the mix, too, to clarify the cigar’s Nicaraguan origins. In all, a very, very tasty cigar that was the best of the bunch so far.