This is the robusto size in the Blue line of smokes from Pepin. I have smoked this as an everyday for smoke for nearly two years and find it to be excellent. This is the first review though and I am often more critical of the smokes I review. It presents well with a medium brown wrapper that has little veining and some prominent tooth. A quick inspection shows a cigar that may be a little loose and soft in some spots. The pre light aroma is of nice spice and earth. The pre light draw shows some light pepper and cedar notes.
The cigar begins with a nice profile of cedar and some light spice and pepper. At the back of the palate there is an earthy leather flavor that adds to some early complexity that is enticing and unexpected. The strength is medium bodied and not overwhelming. The draw is loose and the smoke booms out of this cigar and encircles my head with visions of smoky illusion. The burn is a bit lopsided, but it is not causing any issue.
The first half of the cigar is sneaky. The power taps you ever so lightly at the back of the palate as it develops into what will become a strong cigar. The profile continues to show notes of cedar and spice, but there are some nice rich tobacco notes present as well. At the back of the palate the strength soldiers are lining up for their assault on the rest of the palate and they are leaving nice tones of leather and earth as they march undaunted. There is some hear coming through in the draw at the halfway point, so I slow it down and settle in for the second half.
The final half of the smoke is not subtle. There are blasts of cedar, spice, tobacco, leather and earth coating the entire palate. The burn is still slightly off, but it is still not causing any issues. The draw is getting hotter and hotter and that is really the only disappointing part of this cigar.
The finish is charred, but leaves notes of cedar and tobacco mustered on the palate.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 92 the final charred notes hurt this score
Construction- 83 most of the cigar performed well, but the final flaw was nearly fatal
Strength- 88 a nice full flavored cigar, but I prefer a more even strength presentation
Overall- 88 a nice cigar that was hurt by poor construction in the end
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