AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about an inch into The Jason, when the pepper recedes like a tide pulling back from a dark shore, and you realize you are not smoking a cigar so much as negotiating with one. This is Pete Johnson's slasher homage rendered in Nicaraguan leaf — a torpedo that opens with a theatrical slam of roasted espresso and dark cocoa, then spends the next hour revealing that the monster was never the point. The mask was. Underneath is a blend of Jalapa, Estelí, and Ometepe tobaccos that behaves less like a horror movie and more like a slow-burn noir, where every scene shift recontextualizes what came before.
The pre-light draw offers aged cedar and a faint, almost medicinal cherry sweetness — a promise of the dried fruit that will surface later. Once lit, the first third is all shadow and volume: black pepper rides the retrohale with aggressive intent, while charred oak and dry earth anchor the smoke in something primal. The draw is precise, the smoke thick enough to feel like a presence in the room. This is not a cigar that asks for attention; it takes it, the way a figure at the end of a hallway commands your gaze whether or not you believe in ghosts.
By the second third, the narrative shifts. The pepper softens into something more conversational, and dark cherry emerges alongside leather and toasted nuts. A creaminess develops — not the buttery softness of a Connecticut, but the dense, savory cream of a well-reduced sauce. The finish turns subtly sweet, like dark molasses brushed over the edge of a glass. This is where The Jason distinguishes itself from its Monster Series siblings: it does not simply escalate; it complicates. The Ometepe component lends a mineral, almost volcanic earthiness that keeps the smoke from ever feeling generic, while the Estelí leaf provides the structural power that makes the whole thing feel inevitable.
In the final third, the cigar tightens its grip. Dark chocolate and espresso grounds take center stage, with aged leather wrapping around the retrohale like a well-worn jacket. The earthiness deepens, and the spice returns — not as the brash pepper of the opening, but as a lingering, patient warmth. The finish is long, slightly sweet, and remarkably clean for a cigar at this strength. The ash holds firm past an inch, salt-and-pepper gray, a testament to the My Father factory's construction standards. When the smoke finally ends, it does so with a sense of completion rather than exhaustion — the credits roll, but you stay in your seat, thinking about what you just witnessed.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Habano Colorado — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Estelí, Ometepe blend), aged |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — My Father Cigars factory (La Gran Fábrica Drew Estate era production; later My Father) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 52 |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $18–$24 per cigar |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Released annually around Halloween; limited production with some cellaring potential of 3–5 years; rested at factory pri |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with a bold hit of roasted espresso, dark cocoa, and aged cedar. A generous dose of black pepper rides the retrohale, with underpinning notes of dry earth and a touch of charred oak. The torpedo cap draws with precision, delivering a firm, flavorful smoke from the first light.
Second Third
The pepper integrates and mellows into a more nuanced profile as notes of dark cherry, leather, and toasted nuts emerge. Creaminess begins to develop mid-cigar, softening the edges and adding complexity. A subtle sweetness — reminiscent of dried fruit or dark molasses — surfaces on the finish.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with deep, rich notes of dark chocolate, espresso grounds, and aged leather. Earthiness becomes more pronounced, joined by a lingering spice on the retrohale. The finish is long, slightly sweet, and satisfying — never harsh despite the strength increase.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently excellent given My Father factory standards — the draw is open but not loose, producing thick, billowing smoke. The burn line is even with a firm, salt-and-pepper ash that holds well past an inch; minimal touch-ups required.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Nicaraguan rum (Flor de Caña 18 Year), or a peated Scotch single malt such as Laphroaig 10 — the smoke and earth of both complement the cigar's bold profile perfectly
Wine
Zinfandel or a robust Malbec from Mendoza — the dark fruit and spice in both varieties mirror the cigar's mid-palate complexity
Non-Alcoholic
Double espresso or a dark roast cold brew — the coffee notes in the cigar are amplified and harmonized beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a collector who has a humidor full of cigars you are saving for 'the right moment,' and you have realized that moment never comes. You have smoked through the Tatuaje core line, you know what a broadleaf wrapper does to a blend, and you are tired of cigars that taste like they were engineered for a focus group. It is late October, the air outside has that cold, metallic edge, and you have exactly one hour before the night demands something of you. You want a cigar that feels like an event but does not require a celebration. The Jason is for you — not because it is rare, though it is, but because it rewards the attention you are finally ready to give it. It will not overwhelm you with strength, but it will ask you to pay attention to how flavors shift and layer. Smoke it now, not because you have something to commemorate, but because you have earned the quiet.
Bottom Line
The Jason is the rare limited release that justifies both the hype and the price tag — a full-bodied Nicaraguan blend with genuine emotional range. Buy a box, smoke one fresh, and bury the rest for three years; you will thank yourself either way.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Tatuaje Monster Series cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason a strong cigar?
Yes, it is rated Full (4/5) on AshMap's strength scale. Physically, this means the nicotine delivery is pronounced and noticeable from the first third, with a building intensity that peaks in the final third. You will feel it in the back of your throat and a slight warmth behind your eyes. It is not a nicotine bomb, but it is not a morning cigar — have a meal beforehand and keep a sweet drink nearby.
What does Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason taste like?
The flavor arc moves from roasted espresso, dark cocoa, aged cedar, black pepper, dry earth, and charred oak in the first third; to dark cherry, leather, toasted nuts, cream, and dried fruit/molasses sweetness in the second third; and finishes with dark chocolate, espresso grounds, aged leather, pronounced earthiness, and lingering retrohale spice.
How long does Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason take to smoke?
Plan for 60–75 minutes. The torpedo vitola at 6.0 x 52 gives you a substantial core of tobacco, and the dense Nicaraguan filler burns slowly. If you are a slow smoker, you can stretch it to 90 minutes, but the flavor profile is best experienced at a steady, deliberate pace rather than a rushed one.
What is the best pairing for Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason?
Flor de Caña 18 Year aged Nicaraguan rum is the ideal match. The rum's inherent sweetness from tropical aging mirrors the dried fruit and molasses notes that emerge in the second third, while its oak backbone complements the cigar's charred wood and espresso character. The smoke and earth of both elements align without either overpowering the other.
Is Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason good for beginners?
No. This is a Full-strength cigar priced at $18–$24 per stick, and it demands a palate that can parse layered Nicaraguan earthiness and pepper without being overwhelmed. A beginner would likely find the nicotine intensity uncomfortable and miss the subtle transitions between thirds. Start with milder Tatuaje offerings like the Havana VI or the Serie P before attempting The Jason.
Where can I buy Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason?
This is a limited annual Halloween release, so your best bet is to establish a relationship with a premium brick-and-mortar retailer that carries Tatuaje's full line. Online retailers like Neptune Cigars, Atlantic Cigar, or Corona Cigar Co. occasionally stock it, but it sells out quickly. Join Tatuaje fan forums or follow Pete Johnson's social media for release date announcements, and be ready to purchase within hours of the drop.
What is the price of Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason?
The Jason retails for $18–$24 per cigar, depending on your retailer and local tobacco taxes. Given its limited production and collector status, you may see secondary market prices higher, but MSRP is firmly in that range. Boxes are collector items and often command a premium if you can find them intact.
Is Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason worth aging?
Yes, but with a caveat. The recommended cellaring window is 3–5 years, during which the black pepper in the first third will mellow and the dark cherry and molasses sweetness will become more pronounced. The Nicaraguan Habano Colorado wrapper has enough oil and structure to age gracefully. However, the blend is already well-balanced fresh, so do not feel obligated to wait — smoke one now and age the rest if you have the discipline.
What wrapper does Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason use?
The Jason uses a Nicaraguan Habano Colorado wrapper — a medium-dark reddish-brown leaf with a silky texture and subtle tooth. This wrapper contributes the initial black pepper punch, the aged cedar character, and the charred oak notes, while its natural oils help carry the darker cocoa and espresso flavors through the smoke. The Colorado shade indicates a slightly darker, more developed leaf than a standard Habano.
Where is Tatuaje Monster Series The Jason made?
The Jason is hand-rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua at the My Father Cigars factory, specifically the facility that was known as La Gran Fábrica Drew Estate during the era when Drew Estate and My Father collaborated on production. This means it benefits from the same construction standards that produce the My Father line and the Tatuaje core range — consistently excellent draw, even burn, and a firm ash that holds well past an inch.