Pepin JJ Sublime Maduro

[sticksnstones]

Conditions: 40 degrees and absolutely calm
Location: my front porch
Rating: about a 9 of 10

Ok, I had a pretty crummy ending to my day and really needed a nice smoke. DPG didn't disappoint. Just to give you the highlights: I had a last-minute project dumped on me at work that I have to finish before Christmas. Then I came home to find that my cable phone upgrade resulted in the beloved cable company taking away a bunch of premium channels that they had screwed up and given me for free. Topper: when my wife and kids plugged the cable back in, the TV blew up. Only 2-3 years old, so I guess I'll be stimulating the economy unexpectedly (actually had our eye on a new plasma screen anyway). But I digress.

The JJ, when it's on, can rival the best maduros on the market. It starts off with trademark spiciness but quickly settles into a rich smoke with typical maduro tastes of cocoa and chocolate, a bit of woodiness and a nice sweet tinge that really satisfies. The burn is never straight, but that never matters to me when a cigar is delivering great flavor. The ash on these is also curious looking - sort of a marbled white and dark gray that ends up swirly rather than stacked. Just sort of cool looking to me.
I've had good luck with these Sublimes, with the exception of the next-to-last one I smoked. It was harsh and sort of sour tasting - and odd because it was part of the same fiver that this one came in. I have not smoked the belicoso maduro yet, but that's next on my list as the JJ natural in the belicoso is my favorite DPG of them all.

Overall, a lovely smoke that just might rescue the day. Cheers.

 

[elderboy02]

Very nice review. Your review is what I also pick up. I had to buy a box of these because they are so good.

 

[dubya]

Nice review. I have one in my humi that is waiting for a good occasion.

I've had good luck with these Sublimes, with the exception of the next-to-last one I smoked. It was harsh and sort of sour tasting -

Was this a JJ Maduro Sublime as well? I recently had a JJ Natural Sublime and had that same harsh somewhat sour taste. Wasn't impressed at all. I will give it another try though.

 

[sticksnstones]

Nice review. I have one in my humi that is waiting for a good occasion.

I've had good luck with these Sublimes, with the exception of the next-to-last one I smoked. It was harsh and sort of sour tasting -

Was this a JJ Maduro Sublime as well? I recently had a JJ Natural Sublime and had that same harsh somewhat sour taste. Wasn't impressed at all. I will give it another try though.

Yes. Sorry I didn't make that clear. That naturals I've smoked -- all belicosos -- have been sensational. I'm reluctant to try other vitolas in the natural for fear they won't measure up, in fact.

Your questiion also gives me a chance to add something to the review.
I've been wrestling with how to compare/contrast these with Padron maduros. The JJ seems to be a stronger smoke, for starters. (After I wrote the review, I noticed I had a pretty good buzz). But I think the biggest difference is that the JJ lacks a little of the smoothness you would expect in a Padron - particularly the PAM 64s. Maybe a little less refined? Doesn't mean I won't enjoy more JJ maduros, just that they have a different profile.