Bulk Review -

[Rebel Herfer]

I've been remiss in reviewing my smokes since the San Cristobal review so I decided to do this quick review of most of the cigars I've smoked recently.
Rarely have I been able to smoke so many good to great cigars in such a short period of time. Here goes:

Don Pepin 601 Green Label: Tonight I smoked this beauty (more detail and pics to follow in separate review), and was blown away. For the low price of $6 this maduro robusto was oily to the touch. Light was great with a big, but not hot cherry. First third was a smooth blend of real tobacco, earth, and hints of chocolate. Next third was a subdued spiciness with a smooth milk chocolate finish. The final, and YES I did nub this one, third was a rougher start but continued with the tobacco and chocolate finally settling into a smooth woodsy leather with a medium finish. this is a MUST BUY MORE.

Padron 40th Anniversary Pyramid: WOW! a gift from a generous BOTL at a local HERF. Perfection from the beginning all the way through the nub finish. Notes of cedar, coffee, leather, light tobacco, and a fine fine light earthy chocolate. This puppy burned cool and light. GOTTA HAVE ANOTHER SOON.

Casa Fuente Corona: I sparked this one in honor of my Grandfather as he was a unique character too. From the moment I purchased this stick I wanted to smoke it, and it did not disappoint. Smooth, clean draw, cool burn, with a consistent flavorful taste were this vitola’s hallmark. There was no overbearing or standout flavor, just an ever present cedar, hay, well cured tobacco, and refined earthyness. This will make any occasion special. I know they are expensive but THESE ARE A MUST HAVE FOR ANY SERIOUS COLLECTION.

R&J Cedros N. 3:This is everything you hear and then some. Consistent cedar, light spice, and fine tobacco. Coooool burn. The finish on this was so fine and tasty I didn't want to brush my teeth at the end of the night. This could be the cigar I would ask for as my last request. TO DIE FOR.

Don Pepin 601 Black Label: This was a real disappointment!!!! Good price at $6 something and it has a beautiful Connie Shade wrapper and decent construction. The cigar burned poorly, lost its cherry, and burned hot even though I’ve been learning to smoke slower. The taste was all dry grass, Elmer’s Glue, and soap. Won’t buy another. NO THANK YOU, I’LL PASS.

Greycliff Profesionale PGX: A decent $4 cigar, trouble is it’s MSRP is somewhere near $15! Good construction and burn but no big flavor surprise. Light tobacco to the point of dull. Would not turn my nose up at one if offered, just won’t spend my hard earned money on it. BORINGLY PRETENTIOUS.

CAO MX2 corona: Amazingly smooth. I expected a bit of roughness in this vitola but I got coffee, chocolate, a bit of licorice, and a slight spicy pepper / cinnamon finish. GLAD I HAVE MORE.

AVO LEO 7: WOW…nearly 3 hours later WOW! I smoked the whole thing. I sparked the beauty and waded in slowly and spent 2 hours 45 minutes falling in love. I have been smoking slower as of late to avoid bitter, hot burns; none of that to be found here. Consistent true tobacco, earthy flavors in a cool burn is the lasting impression. Long ash. A hint of vanilla on the aftertaste, not the sweet vanilla of a flavored cigar, but the kind that reminds me of the scents of my Grandmother’s kitchen. Great memories with this must have. THREE HOURS OF LUV!

That’s all for now. More reviews to follow. Hope these snap reviews are of value.
Long ashes, strong drink, and good friend to ya!

 

[Ginseng]

Woohoo! Way to bang 'em out.

My only comment is that my experience with the Pepin 601 Black was quite different from yours. It burned well and presented powerful, old school tobacco flavors and a pungent aroma. A bit unbalanced from beginning to end, but showing some promise.

Thanks for the blowout! :thumbs:

Wilkey

 

[Rebel Herfer]

Woohoo! Way to bang 'em out.

My only comment is that my experience with the Pepin 601 Black was quite different from yours. It burned well and presented powerful, old school tobacco flavors and a pungent aroma. A bit unbalanced from beginning to end, but showing some promise.

Thanks for the blowout! :thumbs:

Wilkey

I've heard very similar comments but I’ve also heard just as many that agree with mine; not an argument thing just weird that one cigar would produce such divergent results and reviews. I was looking forward to this one because the old Fonseca 5-50 was my everyday smoke. Maybe I’ll give another one a try as there is at least one more in my humi.

BTB: I used the Wilkey Pinch on the Green & Black Labels (see pics in my gallery).

 

[JHolmes763]

Nice reviews. I like the format - quick and simple.

I haven't had a 601, but I have blue label (I think) from a recent purchase that I'm waiting to try.

 

[Ginseng]

I've heard very similar comments but I’ve also heard just as many that agree with mine...just weird that one cigar would produce such divergent results and reviews.

It's perhaps not as uncommon as one might think. While Pepin probably designed these blends, there can be no doubt that there are a myriad of opportunities for variations to pop up. The next one I smoke might well be skunk bait.

Cigars, like members, establish themselves over the fullness of time and it remains to be seen exactly how many of the Pepin-linked products go on to achieve classic status.

Wilkey