• Hi Guest - Come check out all of the new CP Merch Shop! Now you can support CigarPass buy purchasing hats, apparel, and more...
    Click here to visit! here...

Pepin cigars are tasting funny...

M

mr.mac

New Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2007
Messages
1,174
Okay, so I'm a Pepin whore. For the last three months I have been smoking a lot of 'em (Tatuaje, DPG blue, black and white, Padilla, etc.) I've been buying mostly singles from the B&M with the exception of a box of Havan VI Angeles that I got a great deal on from Al (Al's the man!). So I went ahead and took the plunge on a couple of boxes of DPG's (Blue and Black Robusto's) Of course they are now being cello'd, which in my opinion is cool, but I'm finding them devoid of flavor and just outright POWER. ??? :( This is really a disappointment becuase I was really enjoying both of these cigars a lot prior to my box buys. Now I do realize that they are bot extrememly young and will definately do well with some age... but has anyone else noticed these changes? or is it just me?

mac
 
I smoke a lot of Pepins and can't say I've noticed this. I would recommend switching it up a bit, go outside of Pepin for a bit, sometimes you just get too accustomed to the flavor and it doesn't hit you like it did before.
 
There are several possible reasons for this.

Every cigar manufacturer is challenged to maintain the same profile as original tobaccos are used up, particularly wrappers. Wrappers are the rarest and most expensive and also are responsible for most of the flavor portion of the blend. I noticed a marked change in the 1932 wrapper recently.

Age can be a factor but more within your own stock as Pepin blends don't tend to sit on shelves too long.

RH is a factor but only if you have changed yours or always buy singles from a B&M. Pepin flavor changes drastically with change in RH.

One's own palette may go through a transition if habits change or even emotional factors change.

Taste is so subjective! ;)
 
Dave said:
Hey Wilkey, have you noticed the gold glitter on the 1932s? Any idea on what those are? Can't say they are plume, as they aren't uniformly spread over the cigar, and I highly doubt those are mold spores.
Click to expand...
What? You mean the loose bronze pigment that's falling off the band? Yes, I've noticed that. If the ink doesn't have sufficient binder or is undercured, the bronze pigment will flake off and result in tiny gold speckles over the wrapper. One box of my 1932's shows this pretty significantly. If you look closely, you might see it concentrated around the edge of a band.

Wilkey
 
My comment about the 1932s is simply the color and taste change I noticed between the first ones I'd tried and recent boxes. The earlier wrappers were lighter in color and spicier.

I have noticed the gold flecks and I've noticed this on other cigars, too. So it tested for bronze?

Since my original post, I've noticed some drastic flavor changes related to RH. Pepin's not kidding when he warns DO NOT EXCEED 65% RH when storing his blends.
 
vortex said:
My comment about the 1932s is simply the color and taste change I noticed between the first ones I'd tried and recent boxes. The earlier wrappers were lighter in color and spicier.

I have noticed the gold flecks and I've noticed this on other cigars, too. So it tested for bronze?

Since my original post, I've noticed some drastic flavor changes related to RH. Pepin's not kidding when he warns DO NOT EXCEED 65% RH when storing his blends.
Click to expand...
I see. I've seen the flecks on a wide variety of cigars. Most recently on Bolivar Gold Medals. I have not tested for bronze but that is typically what is used as a metallic pigment.

Wilkey
 
Ok, so I went to De La Concha today, and I heard their story. Their house blend is all Nicaraguan Criollo, and it is the FIRST cigar Pepin rolled in the U.S. dating back about 4 years. Now, after smoking about 2 inches off a corona, I can say this cigar was probably an experiment he used to perfect his later blends, such as the Tatuaje, 1932s, etc. The cigar was very harsh, flavor rhymed with the typical pepin profile, but it lacked some form of icing and dexterity to achieve the true grandmastery that Pepin is now known for thanks to Tatuaje, Miami 8 &11, and 1932.

Oh, and they also sell Davidoff Diademas Finas singles for aorund 27 bucks plus tax.
 
I'm not sure what it is with anything Pepin makes, I just can't smoke it. They are all to strong for my palate. I've tried and I can't do it, I get sick to my stomach.
 
Dave said:
Ok, so I went to De La Concha today, and I heard their story. Their house blend is all Nicaraguan Criollo, and it is the FIRST cigar Pepin rolled in the U.S. dating back about 4 years. Now, after smoking about 2 inches off a corona, I can say this cigar was probably an experiment he used to perfect his later blends, such as the Tatuaje, 1932s, etc. The cigar was very harsh, flavor rhymed with the typical pepin profile, but it lacked some form of icing and dexterity to achieve the true grandmastery that Pepin is now known for thanks to Tatuaje, Miami 8 &11, and 1932.

Oh, and they also sell Davidoff Diademas Finas singles for aorund 27 bucks plus tax.
Click to expand...

Hey Dave,

Just jumping in to clear up something for you. Tatuaje was the absolute first cigar that Pepin made in full production in the United States. He started making Tatuaje before he even had a real factory. I believe the DLC cigar came around about 6 or 9 months later after the RTDA in Nashville.

Regards,
Pete
 
IMHO, I've just narrowed my selection to any and all Tatuaje/Cabaiguan product. Pete's the only one I know that keeps an obsessive approach and an iron fist when it comes to his production and blends. The rest just seem to fall behind for whatever reason.
 
vudu9 said:
IMHO, I've just narrowed my selection to any and all Tatuaje/Cabaiguan product. Pete's the only one I know that keeps an obsessive approach and an iron fist when it comes to his production and blends. The rest just seem to fall behind for whatever reason.
Click to expand...

I've found the DP Cuban Classics to be dead consistent from stick to stick also. They also burn a lot better for whatever reason... I'm thinking it has to do with the wrapper.
 
jabba said:
vudu9 said:
IMHO, I've just narrowed my selection to any and all Tatuaje/Cabaiguan product. Pete's the only one I know that keeps an obsessive approach and an iron fist when it comes to his production and blends. The rest just seem to fall behind for whatever reason.
Click to expand...

I've found the DP Cuban Classics to be dead consistent from stick to stick also. They also burn a lot better for whatever reason... I'm thinking it has to do with the wrapper.
Click to expand...
Excellent QC in both factories! :thumbs: The Cuban Clascic 1950 Toro is a favorite Pepin blend. That and the 601 Habano would be my "stranded on a desert island" smokes. :D I only recently started exploring the Tats and I'm impressed to say the least! I am considering getting a five-pack of the Guapo next. :)


Rconectn,

The JJ series is very mild and quite different from Garcias other blends. Not saying you should run out and buy it; but, if you're curious you may enjoy the exploration.

Steve
 
I picked up a DPG Blue at a B&M store a couple of weeks ago, and lit it over the weekend. I found it to be lacking ni flavor, and was loosely rolled. Drew as if it has a whole down the middle. I have smoke some other Pepin varieties, but I found this one a disappointment based on prior comments.

It really had no flavor and felt like I was sucking air through a straw. Not the type of first smoke of a DPG Blue that would prompt me to smoke again.
Based on reputation, I would think this may be one that slipped past the goalie.

Cparker
 
It's time to face the facts on the DPG Black Label. This cigar is a full-bodied dog rocket. It's strong, but it tastes like crap. There you have it. The blend of this cigar is just 'off'. Don't know how else to put it. If you want to argue this point, I would first ask that you compare this cigar to the Tat Brown Labels, the Tat Red Labels, the 601 Red. All of these cigars have the Pepin bite to them, but they taste good.

Anyway, I know this is all 100% subjective :) it's my .02 and my .02 only, but "the White Label is the right label" when it comes to the DPGs. That's a good cigar with a little bit of Pepin bite and good deal of creamy tobacco. Fantastic blend.
 
tsmckenney said:
It's time to face the facts on the DPG Black Label. This cigar is a full-bodied dog rocket. It's strong, but it tastes like crap. There you have it. The blend of this cigar is just 'off'. Don't know how else to put it. If you want to argue this point, I would first ask that you compare this cigar to the Tat Brown Labels, the Tat Red Labels, the 601 Red. All of these cigars have the Pepin bite to them, but they taste good.

Anyway, I know this is all 100% subjective :) it's my .02 and my .02 only, but "the White Label is the right label" when it comes to the DPGs. That's a good cigar with a little bit of Pepin bite and good deal of creamy tobacco. Fantastic blend.
Click to expand...

So which is it, fact (as in "time to face the...") or opinion (as in "100% subjective)? :whistling:

Just giving you a hard time, but I have to disagree with you on the DPG blacks. I have only smoked one DPG black and one Tat red, but I liked the DPG black much more. It was a strong, spicy firecracker and I liked the flavor a lot. So yes, it is all subjective, and just in case it isn't, you're wrong! :sign:
 
tsmckenney said:
It's time to face the facts on the DPG Black Label. This cigar is a full-bodied dog rocket. It's strong, but it tastes like crap. There you have it. The blend of this cigar is just 'off'. Don't know how else to put it. If you want to argue this point, I would first ask that you compare this cigar to the Tat Brown Labels, the Tat Red Labels, the 601 Red. All of these cigars have the Pepin bite to them, but they taste good.

Anyway, I know this is all 100% subjective :) it's my .02 and my .02 only, but "the White Label is the right label" when it comes to the DPGs. That's a good cigar with a little bit of Pepin bite and good deal of creamy tobacco. Fantastic blend.
Click to expand...

"It's time to face the facts..."

versus

"I know this is all 100% subjective..."


Such a confused newb...

:sign:
 
I never could figure the motivation for stumping for or against a cigar. Unless, perhaps, you have a financial stake in the sales. Why would anyone care otherwise?

I've witnessed heated arguments over subjective tastes!

Tastes great! Less filling! :laugh:

All that aside. I have yet to see a B&M that is regulated at 65%. So if you buy a Pepin from a B&M, take it home and let it adjust in your 65% humi until it's smokable. I do this with most smokes I buy at a B&M anyway but with Pepin blends it's imperative.

Exceptions MAY be boxes and cigars that were just put out as singles that day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top