I actually have some Pepins that I've been resting close to 6 months. It might be time to test a few.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Tatuaje Reserva J21
- Thread starter donp
- Start date
I actually have some Pepins that I've been resting close to 6 months. It might be time to test a few.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Hmmm I read that "thoughtful" post, and couldn't completely decide wether it was sincere or full of moose cookies. At once it seemed presumptuous but, then again sincere in some places. For example, I don't buy the notion that genetics determine olfactory sensations; what is implied then is that Cuban cigar smokers are real smokers because cuban cigars are so much better, and that cuban cigar smokers have better sniffers....or something like that. I would be saddened if the author really believed any of that.
IMO, on the whole I don't believe for one minute that Cuban cigars are NOt better than non cubans. Hell Cuba became the mecca of cigar tobacco centuries ago; there is no debate. However, to insinuate that non cuban cigars are not as good as cuban cigars simply because they are not cubans is ridiculous. I say that simply because my olfactory senses let me know exactly when I am smoking a wonderful cigar.
I am not one of those who tries to make a case for why non cubans are better than cubans. If there were no evidence that cuban cigars are "da chit" , there would be no argument. But Cuban cigars are the pinnacle, that is a historical and a physical fact. But, it is folly to downplay the achievements of cuban expatriates/exiles, as they toiled and strived to develope the potential of DR, and Honduras and Costa Rica and Nicaragua cigar markets. Simply because cuban cigars taste better.
As you point out, and I agree, there are a lot of non cuban cigars that are excellent, and which give pleasure to the smoker. Further, IMO a sign of a mature palette would be the appreciation of all good cigars, regardless of pedigree.
Great editorial Don. I whole-heartedly agree and I smoke both. Now, I do not have the experience with cubans with some serious age on them but I have had a few very nice ones and even if I win the lottery, I do not see my humis not having some pepins (padilla 8/11, tatuaje, cabaiguan, etc., ad nauseum), patels, padrons, and EO brands at all times. That is just my opinion but it is mine and that is the way it is.
Scottie
Scottie
montecristo#2
Chestbeating Pack Leader
You know, I really like the petites for a small little "quick" smoke. I often smoke them while walking to work - don't have to worry about ashing on myself. These are totally different from smoking a petite corona. They have a really nice flavor and smell that doesn't last all day in the mouth. I just wish they were a little cheaper, the cheapest I have found is around 2.75 a piece, which is a lot for this size cigar.
I've heard that Pepin has one roller dedicated to only rolling the petites, which is pretty cool.
>>Nice review as you work your way through the Pepin lines. I like some lines better than others, but so far the Tatuaje's are the tops in my book. The Habana Leon's are a close second IMO, and they have a little better price point.<<
I received a sampler yesterday from Cigar King. One of the smokes in it is a Habana Leon robusto. I pulled it out of it's wrapper and....it had plume all over it :dr Oh man, I can't wait to smoke that puppy. This also lets me know that the Cigar King people don't mess around with their products; this was my first order placed with them...so far, so good.
I received a sampler yesterday from Cigar King. One of the smokes in it is a Habana Leon robusto. I pulled it out of it's wrapper and....it had plume all over it :dr Oh man, I can't wait to smoke that puppy. This also lets me know that the Cigar King people don't mess around with their products; this was my first order placed with them...so far, so good.
A big reason I love 'em too...plus, while I get 'em for $3 apiece (which may or may not be high), at that price I've no trouble giving 'em away to my friends to try "something different".
montecristo#2
Chestbeating Pack Leader
I'm thinking about getting a box of the petites and a box of the J21's, anyone interested in a split?
Blake: By now you know that Scotty has been successful in setrting up a special sampoler for all of us here at CS. Your hope that I get to try some of the other brands is about to come to fruition
I placed an order for one of the samplers at 44.95 bucks for 9 Pepin smokes; all of the brands he makes for them (minus the Don Pepin Garcias, Tatuajes; and just a few others). I am sure you are gonna jump all over this too...enjoy!
Blake: By now you know that Scotty has been successful in setrting up a special sampoler for all of us here at CS. Your hope that I get to try some of the other brands is about to come to fruition
I am sure you are gonna jump all over this too...enjoy!
Oh yeah I'm in...I saw this earlier and it's definitely a nice sampler.
And by the way, my wife says, in reference to more purchases,...
... "it's all that donp's fault!" :r
Hmmm, yeah well, if she leaks word of my purchase to my wife, yer in deep doo doo my friend
Hell, as it is I gotta make sure I get home and get the mail before my wife does:hn Hehe but, I got good smokes otw, I got good smokes otw :dr
Btw, I say we simply blame it on Scotty
montecristo#2
Chestbeating Pack Leader
As I mentioned before I am thinking about getting a box of J21's and some petites - here is the info:
J21's pack of five for 46.25 (9.25 per stick) - would like to keep 10-15 for myself, so 2 - 3 five packs would be available.
Petites: pack of 10 for 27.50 (2.75 per stick) - would like to keep 20 - 30 for myself, so 2 - 3 ten packs would be available.
I also have some noellas and don pepin garcia series JJ sublimes I would like to sell as well to make room for some other stuff I recently bought:
Tatuaje Noellas (4 available) - 5 pack for $32.50 (6.50 per stick)
Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Sublimes (3 available) - 5 packs for $40.00 ($8.00 per stick)
Added 5.00 for priority mail with delivery confirmation.
PM me if interested. thanks
J21's pack of five for 46.25 (9.25 per stick) - would like to keep 10-15 for myself, so 2 - 3 five packs would be available.
Petites: pack of 10 for 27.50 (2.75 per stick) - would like to keep 20 - 30 for myself, so 2 - 3 ten packs would be available.
I also have some noellas and don pepin garcia series JJ sublimes I would like to sell as well to make room for some other stuff I recently bought:
Tatuaje Noellas (4 available) - 5 pack for $32.50 (6.50 per stick)
Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Sublimes (3 available) - 5 packs for $40.00 ($8.00 per stick)
Added 5.00 for priority mail with delivery confirmation.
PM me if interested. thanks
Mister Moo
The Pinnacle of Style
Bump. I think these have fallen off hellishly since their introduction. They seem not to be nearly what they once were.
habanafinger18
Young Ape
Bump. I think these have fallen off hellishly since their introduction. They seem not to be nearly what they once were.
Is that an issue with new production or the cigars not aging well? I just bought a few these after smoking one and loving it.
Mister Moo
The Pinnacle of Style
I don't mean to imply current smokes are rotten, but I find the taste of current product not in accord with the original run. Maybe my palate and nose have gone dead but J21s started OTB as rich, salty, powerful and peppery to me - drop dead stunners. I don't get that from recent boxes.
habanafinger18
Young Ape
Wish I could go back two years and try one!:ss What cigar is on the top of your list currently?
mrreindeer
Gorilla
Being a relatively new semi-consistent cigar smoker, I hadn't even heard of Tatauje until I cracked open August '08's Cigar Aficionado and read the article about what size cigars the various producers prefer when they're smoking themselves.
And there was Pete Johnson in all his tatted glory and the guy just looked like a cool dude (note, i have no tattoos but tons of friends with 'em). I relize that this was a stupid reason for wanting to know a little more, but it's what got me started with Tatuaje cigars (and I certainly haven't had a lot of them yet but plan to!).
What I liked as I researched a little more was that a) here's an American producer who joined up with what I found out was a top cigar maker in Don Pepin. b) comparatively, Tatuaje is a relatively small 'boutique' producer as opposed to one of the massives and c) I really just liked the simple 'no bells & whistles' label.
So I professed to become a Tatuaje smoker having never even had a single stick.
And I had the opportunity to pick one up (see, my humidor was pretty full already, so I had no room) on a business trip to Pennsylvania. I picked up a very fine Verocu West Side. I loved it, right off the bat. Of course, I happened to be in a gentlemen's club, in good company with friends/clients and my wife so that definitely helped set the mood!
But I was very impressed and vowed to buy more. I've never heard of the Reserva J21 but the Verocu West Side was awesome. Just this week, I smoked a Cabaiguan Guapos Junior (Pete Johnson's other line) and it wasn't as good but I still enjoyed it. I've got one more Tatuaje in my packed humidor...I'm going downstairs to remind myself what it is because I bought it in NYC at Barclay-Rex and the guy there threw it at me to try since I told him I liked the Verocu so much and they didn't have any of those.
Well, I'll be...it's none other than the J21 Reserva...now, that's too damn funny. I honestly had no idea. So I can't wait to light it up and come back here and tell you what I thought (since some of you have said the quality has changed since the original post date of the thread in 2006. Will keep you posted!
And there was Pete Johnson in all his tatted glory and the guy just looked like a cool dude (note, i have no tattoos but tons of friends with 'em). I relize that this was a stupid reason for wanting to know a little more, but it's what got me started with Tatuaje cigars (and I certainly haven't had a lot of them yet but plan to!).
What I liked as I researched a little more was that a) here's an American producer who joined up with what I found out was a top cigar maker in Don Pepin. b) comparatively, Tatuaje is a relatively small 'boutique' producer as opposed to one of the massives and c) I really just liked the simple 'no bells & whistles' label.
So I professed to become a Tatuaje smoker having never even had a single stick.
And I had the opportunity to pick one up (see, my humidor was pretty full already, so I had no room) on a business trip to Pennsylvania. I picked up a very fine Verocu West Side. I loved it, right off the bat. Of course, I happened to be in a gentlemen's club, in good company with friends/clients and my wife so that definitely helped set the mood!
But I was very impressed and vowed to buy more. I've never heard of the Reserva J21 but the Verocu West Side was awesome. Just this week, I smoked a Cabaiguan Guapos Junior (Pete Johnson's other line) and it wasn't as good but I still enjoyed it. I've got one more Tatuaje in my packed humidor...I'm going downstairs to remind myself what it is because I bought it in NYC at Barclay-Rex and the guy there threw it at me to try since I told him I liked the Verocu so much and they didn't have any of those.
Well, I'll be...it's none other than the J21 Reserva...now, that's too damn funny. I honestly had no idea. So I can't wait to light it up and come back here and tell you what I thought (since some of you have said the quality has changed since the original post date of the thread in 2006. Will keep you posted!
habanafinger18
Young Ape
I dont think you will be disappointed. I had one for the first time two weeks ago and found it to be well constructed, exceptional draw, and packed with flavor. I tried the Cab Guapo and was disappoined as well, but I am goning to give it another chance as it was just rated a 90 in CA. Also have you tried La Riqueza another Pete Johnson creation?
mrreindeer
Gorilla
Yep, I saw that 90 rating on the Cabaiguan in October's issue and was pleasantly surprised yet again when I came home & found that one of my sticks were rated. It just makes me feel better when the B&M recommends a smoke and hey, the mag likes it too! I'm sure there's no coincidence there.
I think I might try it again too and no, I guess my research wasn't that extensive after all; I don't know about La Riqueza. But I'm glad to know about it now, thanks! I'm jotting that down in my cigar journal. Any one in particular you like in that line?
Since you recommended one to me, I'll throw one at you, and yep, it's rated...a 92 in CA and an excellent cigar, and incredible for the price. Check out the Quintero box-pressed Robusto. Awesome.
I think I might try it again too and no, I guess my research wasn't that extensive after all; I don't know about La Riqueza. But I'm glad to know about it now, thanks! I'm jotting that down in my cigar journal. Any one in particular you like in that line?
Since you recommended one to me, I'll throw one at you, and yep, it's rated...a 92 in CA and an excellent cigar, and incredible for the price. Check out the Quintero box-pressed Robusto. Awesome.
habanafinger18
Young Ape
I have not tried one yet. I am going off of reputation and a few reviews I"ve read. :tu I think I will order some #4's tonight. I am looking forward to trying the Quintero, thanks. Another good smoke at a resonable price is the Bolivar Confradia Cuban Corona.:2