I stopped by my local B&M (Habanos in Slidell, LA) last Saturday to see what they had that was new. I picked up a couple of Romeo Y Julieta Habana Reserves and they are resting comfortably in my humi at this time.
I was talking to one of the owners and asked if they had considered carrying anything from Don Pepin. Surprisingly, she said that a sales rep had been by recently and he left some samples. In return for letting her know what I thought of the cigars, she gave me the following: Pepin Gracia Cuban Classic, Pepin Vegas Cubana, La Flor Dominca box pressed, Alec Bradley Maxx The Fix and a Alec Bradley Maxx Traditional.
Today I had the opportunity to smoke one, so I pulled out the Cuban Classic and gave it a try.
Disappointment #1 was when I pulled the labels off and they both ripped the wrapper. I noticed that the wrapper was fairly thin and delicate.
Disappointment #2 came about 15 minutes into the smoke when it just went out. I had to relight and I’m not a fan of cigars I have to relight. It didn’t detract from the flavor so I kept on smoking.
Disappointment #3. Ok, I sort of expected this to happen, but as soon as I reached the first spot where the wrapper had stuck to the label the cigar started to burn uneven. I touched it up a bit and continued smoking it though.
Other than those three points the cigar was actually good. With the exception of the wrapper being fragile, I would say that the problems I found were because I didn’t let the cigar rest in my humidor for at least a month.
Overall I would rate this cigar as a 7 on a scale of 10. It had a very easy draw and the flavor was an explosion of spiciness with an underlying hint of sweetness. It gave off a really great amount of smoke with a nice aroma. With the draw being as easy as it was, I expected it to burn hot but it didn’t. It started out to be a good smoke, something that I expected from a Pepin. The Cuban Classic I had was a very straightforward experience with the spice and an earthy/woodsy flavor being consistent throughout.
So, how do I really feel about the Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic? I may not buy a full box at one time, but I can see myself buying five or six at a time and dropping them into my humidor for a few months to let them age and mellow. They are a good change of pace smoke and will be there when I want something with a bit more spiciness and earthiness to it.
I’ll review the others as I smoke them.
I was talking to one of the owners and asked if they had considered carrying anything from Don Pepin. Surprisingly, she said that a sales rep had been by recently and he left some samples. In return for letting her know what I thought of the cigars, she gave me the following: Pepin Gracia Cuban Classic, Pepin Vegas Cubana, La Flor Dominca box pressed, Alec Bradley Maxx The Fix and a Alec Bradley Maxx Traditional.
Today I had the opportunity to smoke one, so I pulled out the Cuban Classic and gave it a try.
Disappointment #1 was when I pulled the labels off and they both ripped the wrapper. I noticed that the wrapper was fairly thin and delicate.
Disappointment #2 came about 15 minutes into the smoke when it just went out. I had to relight and I’m not a fan of cigars I have to relight. It didn’t detract from the flavor so I kept on smoking.
Disappointment #3. Ok, I sort of expected this to happen, but as soon as I reached the first spot where the wrapper had stuck to the label the cigar started to burn uneven. I touched it up a bit and continued smoking it though.
Other than those three points the cigar was actually good. With the exception of the wrapper being fragile, I would say that the problems I found were because I didn’t let the cigar rest in my humidor for at least a month.
Overall I would rate this cigar as a 7 on a scale of 10. It had a very easy draw and the flavor was an explosion of spiciness with an underlying hint of sweetness. It gave off a really great amount of smoke with a nice aroma. With the draw being as easy as it was, I expected it to burn hot but it didn’t. It started out to be a good smoke, something that I expected from a Pepin. The Cuban Classic I had was a very straightforward experience with the spice and an earthy/woodsy flavor being consistent throughout.
So, how do I really feel about the Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic? I may not buy a full box at one time, but I can see myself buying five or six at a time and dropping them into my humidor for a few months to let them age and mellow. They are a good change of pace smoke and will be there when I want something with a bit more spiciness and earthiness to it.
I’ll review the others as I smoke them.
:chk