Pepin Garcia Blue label Imperiales

[kas]

Wow, this is a nice cigar. It was my first DPG but definitely will not be my last.

Started off with a lot of spice, but quickly settled into a medium/full smoke with tastes of cocoa and a little spice still noticeable. I had to relight at about the halfway point, after which I got more of a coffee taste and then a creamy taste that reminded me of Ashtons I've smoked. Those flavors alternated until I finished, with the spice making a reappearance. I would have smoked longer, except it was damn cold.

Very straight burn - especially so considering there was a decent breeze at the time. The cigar had a very good feel in the hand, looked as tasty as it smoked. I'd describe it as full overall, but to the medium side of full. It did not knock my socks off as some full cigars do, say JDNs. I did stop about halfway through to have a bit of cheese just to get something in my stomach.

I'll definitely be buying more of these. In fact, I'm thinking of selling some of my stuff to make room for these guys. I can't wait to taste how the are with some age on them.

Thanks to all who recommended these.

[Fistville]

Great review, hate to hijack here but I feel the opportunity to. Has anyone noticed a decline in the quality of Pepin's cigars? Blue labels were some of my favorite ncs not long ago, but the last 5-6 I've smoked were awful. They were bland and had tight draws. I know its not my humidity our sources, I mix up my B&Ms. I wonder if the huge spike in demand is taking a toll on the small factory. I dunno, maybe I've just had persistent bad luck recently.

[kas]

I have no point of reference, of course, but this one was very flavorful and had a perfect draw. Fingers crossed. (Just send me all of yours and I'll take care of them!).

[Marlboro Cigars]

Thanks for the awesome review;
I really enjoy the Pepin blues too.

[mytrustyd20]

Dude...don't tell me this! I just bought a box from Cbid...have been "cooking" them awhile in the humi...hoping to try one this week.

[D_A]

Thanks for the review kas. Me likey the blues.:ss

[Smoked]

I had my first about a week ago and I think that they are fantastic. I can actually taste a bit of Cuba in it. Does anyone else taste a bit of Twang in these?

[LORD PUFFER]

Great review, hate to hijack here but I feel the opportunity to. Has anyone noticed a decline in the quality of Pepin's cigars? Blue labels were some of my favorite ncs not long ago, but the last 5-6 I've smoked were awful. They were bland and had tight draws. I know its not my humidity our sources, I mix up my B&Ms. I wonder if the huge spike in demand is taking a toll on the small factory. I dunno, maybe I've just had persistent bad luck recently.

Flavor wise I don't see a difference, but I have seen a decline in construction quality. The last jocigar special had many damaged wrappers....and they weren't in the cello. I will say that the old ones had a slightly different colored band (almost purple). I have noticed those are much better, probably due that they were aged more.:2

[DennisP]

Flavor wise I don't see a difference, but I have seen a decline in construction quality. The last jocigar special had many damaged wrappers....and they weren't in the cello. I will say that the old ones had a slightly different colored band (almost purple). I have noticed those are much better, probably due that they were aged more.:2Hmm, my Joe Cigar deal, 10 of the Generosos from 10/22, were all in cello and looked great.

I know that Pepin had not been wrapping anything until fairly recently. I think his line is now in cell, but Tats and Padillas are not.

[uptown_cigar]

I had my first about a week ago and I think that they are fantastic. I can actually taste a bit of Cuba in it. Does anyone else taste a bit of Twang in these?

Definitely tasted the "Cuban twang" in these. Try the DP black also. This smoke has an even stronger "twang" to it. I smoked one 2 weeks ago for the first time and really enjoyed it.

[LORD PUFFER]

Hmm, my Joe Cigar deal, 10 of the Generosos from 10/22, were all in cello and looked great.

I know that Pepin had not been wrapping anything until fairly recently. I think his line is now in cell, but Tats and Padillas are not.

You know every recent blue I have purchased has been cello'd as well. I shoud've called to complain, but they were smokable. Raised some ?'s about how CI gets these daily deals. Is it due to overstock....or stock that isn't 100% quality. I am pretty sure I ordered the same day as yourself.

My conclusion is that these aren't near as consistent as they used to be. Flavor still there, but I have gotten some "off" sticks in this blend.

[Coffee Grounds]

Great review
These have been in my rotation for the last 9 months.

This is one Nic. Puro that does not taste like any other Nic. Puro.
If you compare the Blue to any other Nic. puro nothing even comes close.
Does it have that Cuban twang? I dont know
Some of Pepin's other lines will give most cc's a run for there money. The Cabaiguan & Tatuaje Cojonu I think is better than most of the mid level CC's out there. Then they cost about the same.

I have seen come construction issues with the blues and blacks of late. These are lines they are mass producing. You can get a box of black robustos for around $80 so you have a few that are flawed. oh well


:)

[BagfullofPings]

I'm out of the old Blue's as of last Sunday. In Oct, Nov, and Dec of 06, I bought the following:
3 boxes of Blue's (Imperiales)
30 Blue 5 packs on sale for $19.99 each
3 boxes of Black's (1970) (have 11 left)
2 boxes of Habana Leon (Pepin through Cigar King)

Yeah, I've bee smoking Pepin's stuff.

I have not smoked the new Blue label. I hope fame has not screwed up one of my top 10 cigars. Pepin has made 7 of the 10.:ss

[kas]

Can you guys elaborate on "old" vs. "new" Blue Labels? I mean, what do you consider new? I'd like to buy more and want to hunt around for older ones if the quality has dipped. (The ones I smoked are from cbid, so no idea of the vintage). Thanks.

[dantzig]

Old = no cello.
New = cello.

This goes for all Pepin cigars, AFAIK.

Pepin Blues are still one of the best, most flavorful cigars that I've ever had. It makes me sad that I'm almost out. I need to stop spending money on 5 packs and samplers so I can afford to buy some boxes!

[LORD PUFFER]

Old = no cello.
New = cello.

This goes for all Pepin cigars, AFAIK.

Pepin Blues are still one of the best, most flavorful cigars that I've ever had. It makes me sad that I'm almost out. I need to stop spending money on 5 packs and samplers so I can afford to buy some boxes!

I don't think that even the new ones are ALL cello'd. When I did the October "JoeCigar" Pepin sale, mine arrived w/out cello. The first dozen or so blue's I smoked were from a B&M. The band was different than my last box purchase as well as the joecigar purchase. You may be right, but CI must have been WAY overstocked in October, if some got cello and some (like me)didn't.

[DennisP]

I don't think that even the new ones are ALL cello'd. When I did the October "JoeCigar" Pepin sale, mine arrived w/out cello. The first dozen or so blue's I smoked were from a B&M. The band was different than my last box purchase as well as the joecigar purchase. You may be right, but CI must have been WAY overstocked in October, if some got cello and some (like me)didn't.
I bet it was due to stock. A Pepin event I went to recently at Corona, the store still had naked ones, but the promo ones Pepin brought were cello'd.

[relaxnsmoke]

Imperiale's are my favorite size in the Blue line with Invicto's a near tie. I too notice a slight twang in this line. It is definitely one of my all time favorite cigars. Having smoked most everything Pepin has had a hand in I'm sold on the Blues, they have a great balance of everything the man rolls and stands for quality and flavor wise.

I did not know about the cello being on newer boxes. It seems like it's been since Feb. when I purchased my last box of DPG's. I was around when the first batch of Ashton VSG's came online and only purchased one box then a few years later I purchased another box that had a complete different profile IMO. Ever since then I've struck when the iron is hot buying multiple boxes.

[kas]

Mine are cello-wrapped. If the old ones taste even better, I'll have to scour the landscape to find a few. But new is still terrific, IMO.

[NCRadioMan]

FWIW, Pepin started to cello all cigars back in August/September because more and more boxes were arriving with damaged wrappers.