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- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
- Messages
- 1,850
Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Lancero
Size: 7 1/2" x 38 rg
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full
This cigar came as part of my gift from my '09 Secret Santa, further fueling my love of the lancero format. I have to give a big thanks to him, as he gave me the opportunity to try out my favorite shape in a cigar made by one of my favorite manufacturers. I'm a big fan of Pepin's stuff, though honestly the Blue Label doesn't sit as high up on the ladder as say, the My Father or JJ Maduros. I hoped that perhaps smoking it in the lancero size would rectify that though, as sometimes larger ring gauge cigars in certain lines don't do it for me, while the smaller stuff does.
Pre-Light
As always, Pepin's construction is spot on and showcases a beautiful cigar with a wrapper glistening with oils, a perfectly done pigtail cap with a triple seam finish, and a superbly bunched foot. The weight feels good in the hand, and the squeeze test revealed a good spring with no hard or soft spots throughout the length.
Draw & Burn
As was evident by the squeeze test, once I punched the head of the cigar I found the draw to have the perfect amount resistance. Once lit, the draw tightened up a tiny bit, but was still very good, and helped along the slow, razor sharp burn. The ash left behind in the wake of the burn was a medium salt and pepper gray, with thick bands forming with each puff taken.
Flavor Profile
One thing I have found with the Blue Labels, is that for me they usually do not have much tastes to them other than a strong tobacco taste, which in of itself isn't very rich. This cigar, however, changed that with letting the wrapper do more of the talking, and it was apparent right off the bat in the cold draw. I could taste a nice peppery tone that melded well with a good tobacco taste, both which exploded to a very prominent taste once lit. After about a half inch in, the pepper backed down a tad to make way for a very nice array of flavors ranging from worn leather, cedar, good tobacco and a toast like taste I was very much enjoying.
Overall Impression
I am not surprised that the smaller size ring gauge of this cigar lent to a much more enjoyable experience for me of the Blue Label line. The wrapper seems to be where the flavor is at, and perhaps the larger ring gauge's binder and filler to wrapper ratio covers up the tastes more to me. Whatever the case is, as a lancero nut I would say this cigar will certainly remain in my humidor in the form of a few fivers, if not a box. Again, a huge thanks to my Secret Santa is due, you sir hit my tastes spot on.
Size: 7 1/2" x 38 rg
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full
This cigar came as part of my gift from my '09 Secret Santa, further fueling my love of the lancero format. I have to give a big thanks to him, as he gave me the opportunity to try out my favorite shape in a cigar made by one of my favorite manufacturers. I'm a big fan of Pepin's stuff, though honestly the Blue Label doesn't sit as high up on the ladder as say, the My Father or JJ Maduros. I hoped that perhaps smoking it in the lancero size would rectify that though, as sometimes larger ring gauge cigars in certain lines don't do it for me, while the smaller stuff does.
Pre-Light
As always, Pepin's construction is spot on and showcases a beautiful cigar with a wrapper glistening with oils, a perfectly done pigtail cap with a triple seam finish, and a superbly bunched foot. The weight feels good in the hand, and the squeeze test revealed a good spring with no hard or soft spots throughout the length.
Draw & Burn
As was evident by the squeeze test, once I punched the head of the cigar I found the draw to have the perfect amount resistance. Once lit, the draw tightened up a tiny bit, but was still very good, and helped along the slow, razor sharp burn. The ash left behind in the wake of the burn was a medium salt and pepper gray, with thick bands forming with each puff taken.
Flavor Profile
One thing I have found with the Blue Labels, is that for me they usually do not have much tastes to them other than a strong tobacco taste, which in of itself isn't very rich. This cigar, however, changed that with letting the wrapper do more of the talking, and it was apparent right off the bat in the cold draw. I could taste a nice peppery tone that melded well with a good tobacco taste, both which exploded to a very prominent taste once lit. After about a half inch in, the pepper backed down a tad to make way for a very nice array of flavors ranging from worn leather, cedar, good tobacco and a toast like taste I was very much enjoying.
Overall Impression
I am not surprised that the smaller size ring gauge of this cigar lent to a much more enjoyable experience for me of the Blue Label line. The wrapper seems to be where the flavor is at, and perhaps the larger ring gauge's binder and filler to wrapper ratio covers up the tastes more to me. Whatever the case is, as a lancero nut I would say this cigar will certainly remain in my humidor in the form of a few fivers, if not a box. Again, a huge thanks to my Secret Santa is due, you sir hit my tastes spot on.
