Don Pepin Garcia - Series JJ Maduro Belicosos

[Turk10mm]

Don Pepin Series JJ Maduro Belicosos
Origin: Miami made Nicaraguan Puro
Size: 5 ¾ x 52
Vitola: Belicoso
Smoke Time: 65 minutes
Look and feel: 90
Flavor and Aroma: 84
Burn: 85

My rating: 85

This is a Cira mandatory review smoke. Cira sent me a fiver with the request that I review each one. I hope you aren’t offended by my review, Cira, I just didn’t particularly like this smoke. I am looking forward to the others in the selection to bring my spirits up!

The good news, is these are my first review pictures with my new camera. I hope you enjoy. It’s a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70. This is a micro camera that’s the size of a credit card by about 5/8” thick. Its 8 mega pixels and I’m loving it so far!

The construction of this cigar appears to be perfect. The color is a dark coffee color, the wrapper is covered in thousands of tiny black dots that are barely visible to the naked eye. The cigar is firm to the touch and a bit slick. There are also a few dozen light spots throughout the wrapper. The prelight nose is of the cigar is very strong and very flavorful. There are odors of sweet coffee and tobacco. The foot is inviting and creamy like a sweet cappuccino. There is also some spiciness from what smells like spice cake.

I used my Xikar cutter to clip the foot. The prelight draw is earthy with a bit of sting on the tongue. After toasting the foot, the first few puffs are very earthy with a tobacco finish. Immediately I’m reminded of a Padron Anniversary Maduro. This smoke is medium bodied to me, although its advertised as full bodied. I would actually rate it on the low end of medium. The smoke has a great aroma.

Almost immediately I found the cigar to be plugged somewhere near the cap. Within a few puffs the majority of the cigar becomes a bit soft and spongy but the cap is hard to the touch. I’ve seemed to be having this problem lately with this particular vitola. I’m becoming strained with this problem. After some very firm massaging of the stick, the plug works itself loose so that I can smoke the cigar, although, the problem does come back throughout the smoke. The burn is a big inconstant throughout the smoke, but leaves a nice firm white ash.

The flavors of the first third are, honestly, a bit disappointing. The flavor is of deep earth with a black coffee finish that reminds me of something you’d get off the pot of a gas station at 3am, grey and stale. The flavors are not very complex at this point. The spice has subsided to a very light sensation on the sides of the tongue that remain through the entire smoke.

At the half, there are few more flavors poking through that give me hope that this cigar will improve in its flavors. There is a bit of oak and nougat showing through at times. However, they don’t stay long enough to improve the profile of the smoke at this point. The flavor reminds me of what people call dry when drinking a wine. There are no sweet or salty flavors at all.

Into the last third of the smoke, it appears as if the flavors have peaked. There is definitely a hint of oakiness to the smoke that lingers on the palette, but still is overpowered by black stale coffee and earth. I purged the smoke under flame and this did bring some new leather flavors and a bit of pine to the table, however, these flavors subsided quickly. There was a brief moment of greatness at this point. Unfortunately, it was very short lived.

Puffing hard into the last third brings out more new leather and pine, yet the black stale coffee flavors have gotten stronger still. At about an inch and a half I’ve had enough of this smoke and put it down.

This was my first Pepin labeled Pepin that I didn’t enjoy. The smoke was kept at 65% and 70 degrees for the last week in my humi.

 

[Turk10mm]

 

[Smoking Mex]

I hope to have better luck with mine ??? I have been looking for the right time to smoke it. Still it was a nice review with great pics, well done. :thumbs:

 

[Rebel Herfer]

Overall I couldn't disagree more with your review . Now with that being said I AM a Pepin Ho! but not blindly.

You start off with a similar impression to mine -

The construction of this cigar appears to be perfect. The color is a dark coffee color, the wrapper is covered in thousands of tiny black dots that are barely visible to the naked eye. The cigar is firm to the touch and a bit slick. There are also a few dozen light spots throughout the wrapper. The prelight nose is of the cigar is very strong and very flavorful. There are odors of sweet coffee and tobacco. The foot is inviting and creamy like a sweet cappuccino. There is also some spiciness from what smells like spice cake.

I noticed the cappuccino comparison right away and that it continued well into the cigar with lingering leather and earth. Mine lit well and stayed lit as I am trying to smoke slower and sometimes ignore them too long; I was amazed by the cherry on this stick and it seems typical of Pepins.

After toasting the foot, the first few puffs are very earthy with a tobacco finish. Immediately I’m reminded of a Padron Anniversary Maduro.
The smoke has a great aroma.

True. True. For the above.

The flavor is of deep earth with a black coffee finish that reminds me of something you’d get off the pot of a gas station at 3am, grey and stale. There are no sweet or salty flavors at all.

This I thought was way off, but if you don't like coffee (altercall) you don't like coffee. The lack of sweet flavors comment I don't get at all, there was a sweet woodsy undertone throughout. Also I believe you said you drink Coke during your reviews and mentioned nougat earlier so I don't get this as I found just the opposite. It must also be said that I smoked this at one of our local Herfs with some fine BOTLs and a Shiner Bock. I nearly broke down at the end of the Herf and bought a box of these beauties but opted for the 601 Green Labels instead, maybe next month if I can close some deals in this cruddy housing market.

There is definitely a hint of oakiness to the smoke that lingers on the palette, but still is overpowered by black stale coffee and earth. I purged the smoke under flame and this did bring some new leather flavors and a bit of pine to the table, however, these flavors subsided quickly.

I guess this is my biggest bone of contention with the review and your recommendations on how to review a cigar in general. - Of course you are going to change the flavors of a cigar if you "purge" it; this is an awful practice for cigar smoking and enjoyment. Often this is a remnant of a cigarette smoker's habit of sucking down a quick smoke - cigarette smoking is all about the BURN of the "tobacco" and all the other stuff in them, while cigar smoking is about the HEATING of the tobacco. When you "purge" or "superheat" tobacco, you get a build up of tar and other resins; when you are finshed with this the cigar almost always looses its' flavor profile or at least the one it was designed to have. This "purge" technique combined with a very sweet, carbonated beverage masks and depletes the intended cigar experience. I am not saying all herfers should get the same experience, just that different herfers will experience different aspects of the intended profile.

edited to correct syntax

 

[anvil]

Another interesting review bro.
And good reply's.
It is amazing how we all have different opinion's on the same things. I guess thats what makes the world go round.
I will try one of these cigars one day and compare your review with what I think of the smoke.
Good one Turk keep it up bro.

 

[Cira]

Turk, you have to do a lot more than that to offend me

I somewhat agree with your review. I didn't get the plugging problem and it was still a good tasting smoke to me but the flavors to me definitly seemed like they needed to sit for a while. Remember these are pretty new cigars and probably need to relax for a while.

Awesome review and great discussion.

 

[Turk10mm]

I guess this is my biggest bone of contention with the review and your recommendations on how to review a cigar in general. - Of course you are going to change the flavors of a cigar if you "purge" it; this is an awful practice for cigar smoking and enjoyment. Often this is a remnant of a cigarette smoker's habit of sucking down a quick smoke

Purging for me is puffing through the cigar, which burns off a lot of the residual tars in the smoke. I like the flavors after a purge. I don't know why you say it has anything to do with cigarettes, because I never did this while smoking a cigarette. I purge to intentionally change the flavors. I've found that when a smoke becomes bitter at the end, you can revitalize it with a good purge.

 

[Turk10mm]

FYI Jeff, I don't drink coffee unless there's a ton of cream and sugar. I am an anti-bitter person, and thats the flavors I get from black coffee. I like coffee when its sweet and nutty from adding half and half. This is probably a big reason why I dislike some cigars that many others rave over, such as the Padron 1926 series.

 

[Infinity]

FYI Jeff, I don't drink coffee unless there's a ton of cream and sugar. I am an anti-bitter person, and thats the flavors I get from black coffee. I like coffee when its sweet and nutty from adding half and half. This is probably a big reason why I dislike some cigars that many others rave over, such as the Padron 1926 series.

Nice review!

Interesting on the coffee and makes a lot of sense. I love my coffee and I love 1926 Series and 1964 Anny's Maduro. This taste discrepancy between you and I could mean that we possibly enjoy different cigars. Very much like a critic reviewing a movie...often I don't read what they say and then I'm surprised to read that some did not like the movie when I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Brian

 

[Rebel Herfer]

FYI Jeff, I don't drink coffee unless there's a ton of cream and sugar. I am an anti-bitter person, and thats the flavors I get from black coffee. I like coffee when its sweet and nutty from adding half and half. This is probably a big reason why I dislike some cigars that many others rave over, such as the Padron 1926 series.

Very true that you may not enjoy the coffee that you have tried, coffee does not have to be bitter. But as in cigars there are different profiles for different beans. Do a search on coffee reviews and you'll see what others find as well.
My contention with the purging being connected is based on many years of interaction with cigarette smoker who tried smoking cigars or were converted to the way of the leaf. I also found that many of them preferred drinks with extreem flavors (sweet or bitter) because cigarettes burn much hotter and quicker than cigars and therefor damage tastebuds. Many (not all) of my cigar puffing friends who used to smoke find that for a fair amount of time after they quit smoking cigarettes their tastebuds are not as adept at picking up the subtle tastes that make up the more refined and complex cigars. It takes time to develop the palate one is born with, it must be conditioned and educated. It's like expecting a Keystone Beer drinker to fully appreciate a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvee Champagne at the end of a night of hard drinking.

 

[Turk10mm]

I think your logic is flawed, because I have what I consider to be very sensitive taste buds. I never smoked a hot cigarette, at least not for any sense of enjoyment. Cigars can sometimes be far more hot than a cigarette when it gets down to the nub. Please remember that cigarettes contain smoother smoke as they are filtered and one can inhale the smoke without any problems. I've yet to smoke a cigar that I could inhale a puff of smoke as I would with a cigarette. If i did, I'd probably die from coughing a bronchi out of my chest.

I don't like extreme flavored things. I understand that there are different flavor profiles in coffee. I've drank many "great" coffees over the years, but they're all bitter without sugar and cream to me. So if a cigar has a very coffee like profile, I'm probably going to dislike it.

I'm sorry you don't agree with me. I just thought it was a below average cigar for my taste.

I purge for the nutty and leather flavors that come from it. Some of my favorite cigar flavors are only found during a purge. I don't understand how purging is wrong. I love the taste from it.

 

[Rebel Herfer]

Facts are facts - don't take it personal, just trying to enlighten you and some other newbies to the cigar lifestyle. My comments are not based upon logic, although you can reasonably conclude the same, but upon scientific evidence. Several scientific studies have found that most cigarette smokers have less sensitive taste buds than do non smokers, and cigar smokers due to construction and ingredients of cigarettes. Cigarettes are a nicotine delivery device manufactured to burn quicker and hotter in order to deliver its’ payload and induce a higher lever of consumption. It’s just simple marketing. The same studies have shown that cigarette smokers can rehabilitate their taste buds over time, to which I’m sure several BOTLs can attest. Cigarette smoke and cigar smoke are two different animals – cigarettes once again are designed to make it easier to inhale, thus delivering the nicotine, and cigars are NOT about inhaling the smoke. I don’t remember mentioning about inhaling smoke though.
Coffee is a personal preference and I can respect that. I just figured since you were here to try new things and many who enjoy cigars, enjoy coffee it might broaden your horizon. Try some info about killer beans. I can’t say this enough – there are all kinds of different coffee profiles, I’ve been drinking one lately that you would swear was made with Basil leaves.
What one drinks or smokes with their cigars IS and will remain a personal preference, as it should. Although I think the libation should be disclosed when writing a review as it can influence the smoker’s observations. I know a guy who drinks Zima with his cigars and is a snob about which cigars he will smoke which is fine, but I will NEVER accept a cigar recommendation from him based on his choice of drink; and to completely cloud his opinion he adds Lime Jolly Ranchers to his glass.
Please understand I am not demeaning or knocking your opinion of this cigar, rather trying to help develop and refine your enjoyment of the various cigars. Not right or wrong it’s just that I am however vehemently opposed to “purging” cigars as I’ve seen it in the past and it damages the intended profile of the cigar, much like a good Family Friend of mine adds Pepsi to his red wine. It’s his style but once again I’m not raiding his cellar for a great find.
Finally, I’m sure you’ve heard the quote that cigarette smoking is a sign of nervousness and cigar smoking is a sign of relaxation, there is a reason this rings true and that is they are reciprocal inducers, smoke cigars to relax, and relax in order to enjoy a cigar.

 

[denverdog]

I know a guy who drinks Zima with his cigars and is a snob about which cigars he will smoke which is fine, but I will NEVER accept a cigar recommendation from him based on his choice of drink; and to completely cloud his opinion he adds Lime Jolly Ranchers to his glass.

Dude, Matt is gunna be pissed you told!

 

[Rebel Herfer]

I know a guy who drinks Zima with his cigars and is a snob about which cigars he will smoke which is fine, but I will NEVER accept a cigar recommendation from him based on his choice of drink; and to completely cloud his opinion he adds Lime Jolly Ranchers to his glass.

Dude, Matt is gunna be pissed you told!

Ooops! :blush: LMFAO :laugh: :laugh: :0 :laugh:


seriously that's frickin' hillarious! but you do realize now that you know he'll have to probably kill you too. :0

 

[Turk10mm]

My typical refreshment with a cigar is typically a coke, water, bourbons, whiskeys, rums.. I think coke is my favorite, it seems to clean the pallete well with full bodied smokes. However, with medium or mild smokes I tend to drink water only.

This review I was drinking bookers bourbon neat with a coke on ice chaser.

I still don't know why you equate purging with not being relaxed or not enjoying a smooth smoke. You'd have to meet me to understand me. I'm an intense guy. I find relaxation in being active. So I review every cigar I smoke alone. It gives me something to do while I smoke, and makes me concentrate on the stick at hand.

 

[Rebel Herfer]

Those are all good smoking drinks. I used to enjoy the ol Jack & Coke. I did find that Coke alone, teded to mask some of the more pungent and harsh flavors of the younger & or less expensive cigars I smoked when I first started smoking cigars. I still drink Coke with some cigars to this day but I prefer beer, wine, Scotch, and coffee. Bookers kicks A*S! Try some branch water with it one day. :thumbs: Keep the reviews comming, to me reviews by any member is one of the best things on CP. I've been accused of being intense every so often so I know what you mean, but I've also bought a bigger humi. :laugh:

BTB - I'm not equating purging with "not being relaxed or not enjoying a smooth smoke," just that it changes the intended profile of the cigar and that it was a habit I saw cigarette smoker carry over to cigar smoking.

 

[mmburtch]

I know a guy who drinks Zima with his cigars and is a snob about which cigars he will smoke which is fine, but I will NEVER accept a cigar recommendation from him based on his choice of drink; and to completely cloud his opinion he adds Lime Jolly Ranchers to his glass.

Dude, Matt is gunna be pissed you told!

Ooops! :blush: LMFAO :laugh: :laugh: :0 :laugh:


seriously that's frickin' hillarious! but you do realize now that you know he'll have to probably kill you too. :0

Fuggers, both of you! :angry:

 

[vortex]

I'm curious about what a Pepin smoker with the experience of several Pepin blends smoked at the proper RH has to say.

And beverage is a factor, too.

 

[Ginseng]

Nice review, Turk. Well done. Also, some fascinating posts in this thread regarding smoking accompaniments and purging.

Rherfer, I don't really see the connection that you're trying to make between purging and cigarette smoking. There is no doubt that purging does change the taste of drawn smoke, but in my experience, this is always by way of "resetting" it to what it was before a change that necessitated the purge in the first place. Looking at it in this way, one is actually restoring the cigar to its intended profile. Not to be facetious, but I don't think blenders create blends to turn acrid or bitter at some point during the cigar's length. The effects achieved by purging are certainly not analogous to adulterating wine with a sugary solution loaded with phosphoric acid and other chemical components.

Now, I will concede that perhaps sometimes an enthusiastic smoker might push the cigar past where it would otherwise "naturally" signal its end, but I don't attribute that to anything other than trying to get the most enjoyment out of something that's pleasurable. So in an overall sense, purging allows one to restore and extend the profile beyond where a cigar would otherwise expire or where smoking conditions have introduced or accelerated deleterious effects on flavor.

I do agree with Turk in that cigar smoke is hot. But it is not combustion hot. It's smoldering hot which it still feels like hell itself when you get near the nub. I have a portable infrared pyrometer and I'll take readings of the coal and along the barrel the next time I smoke.

A final word on the accompaniment. I feel it's essential when tasting (taste testing) cigars, to record the drink, if not water. When drinking for pleasure, though, drink whatever you wish. It is undeniable that flavor contrast effects occur. For example, eating a sweet caramel hard candy will subsequently diminish the perceived sweetness of a regular coffee (1 sugar, 1 creamer).

Wilkey

 

[Rebel Herfer]

Wilkey,
I not trying to make a connection between purging and cigarette smoking other than I've seen many former cigarette smokers do it out of habit. My contention with purging is that it changes, as you said, the profile. Sometimes it can change an acrid profile to a more robust flavor profile, but on the whole I've seen purging (both intentional and habitual/unintentional) ruin a herfer's cigar experience. Some cigars are just not blended as well as others and therefore just have a crummy profile. We may a different opinion of what constitutes a purge and what a correction to burn is as well. I've learned over the past few months that I had been unitentionally purging & oversmoking some powerfull cigars and ruining my experience; as I've learned to smoke slower and let the profile develop, I've found I enjoy the more powerfull sticks much more.
I did not say cigars don't burn hot. I mearly said cigarettes are designed to burn faster and stay lit, encouraging the smoker to constantly have it in their mouth to ingest the nicotine. No doubt a cigar's cherry temp is hotter than a cigarette. I was referring to the effect the cigarette construction has on the smoking habits of the smokers and how those sometime carryover to cigar smoking. Just based upon years of observation and knowledge of cigarette construction methods.
I'm more interested in whether or not a BOTL enjoyed their experience with a particular smoke and just thought I'd pass along my experiences with certain aspects I read about here.