I had not smoked one of these is quite some time, and this cigar is one that appeared in my Top 5 from 2008. I have always found these to be most flavorful and quite strong in profile. This particular one has over one year of humidor age on it and I am interested to see what the aging has done to the cigar and am anxious to see if there is any further refinement in the smoke. It presents well with no flaws and my examination leads me to believe that there will be no issues with the smoke. The pre light aroma has intense spice and coffee influences. The pre light draw is earth and shows a nice coffee character.
The cigar opens with a very deep and complex profile that shows notes of coffee, earth and very refined tobacco flavors. The strength is exactly as I remember it and immediately puts the palate on notice. At the back of the palate there are some very nice pepper notes that offset some of the sweetness presented by the coffee flavors in the front of the profile. The draw is nearly perfect for me, imparting copious amounts of smoke with very little effort on my part. The burn is sharp and produces a bright white ash that is sturdy and firm.
The first half of the smoke continues to develop and show some unexpected nuance. Like hearing a fine piece of music or viewing a piece of art there is some work involved in enjoying this smoke for all that it is showing. The profile is full of coffee and pepper flavors that coat the palate in a pleasing array of firework like intensity. At the back of the palate there are some excellent notes of earth and some sweet spice notes that come through as well. The draw continues to be very impressive and the burn is consistent and issue free.
The final half of the cigar transitions into a more in your face presentation of flavors and strength. The balance of this cigar is second to none as flavors transition very easily, but with subtlety. The profile continues to show some slight hints of coffee, but peppery tobacco flavors have taken over the core profile at this point. At the back of the palate there are still deep, rich flavors of earth and spice that are countering the core profile in a very satisfying way. The burn and draw stay consistent throughout.
The finish is long and full of peppery flavors that linger. This is a cigar that lets you know it is there.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 94 a very balanced and intense flavor experience
Construction- 97 a nearly flawless performance that was very impressive
Strength- 93 a very complimentary performance when considered against the profile
Overall- 94.5 an excellent smoke, that is only enhanced with age
Showing posts with label Serie JJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Serie JJ. Show all posts
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ Natural Sublime
This is a big, toro plus sized cigar. It presents well with a nice medium brown wrapper that is expertly applied. There are no veins or flaws to speak of and the simple packaging makes for smooth viewing experience. An inspection of the cigar yields no areas of concern and I am ready to put it to the test. The pre light aroma is leather and spice. The pre light draw shows some shallow notes of pepper and strong hints of leather and tobacco.
The cigar opens with a profile of leather, leather and more leather. I have noted these as being very close to a Cuban Bolivar in the past and I stand by the assessment. At the back of the palate there are some notes of spice and a nice tobacco flavor compliments the experience. The draw is very easy and produces volumes of light white smoke that drifts lazily away. The burn is excellent and produces a solid medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar holds together nicely. The profile continues to show a core of leathery notes with some hints of spice and tobacco at the back of the palate. The draw continues to be exceptional and the burn has maintained it level of excellence as well.
The middle third of the cigar picks up some steam in the strength department. It is now a nearly full bodied smoke that is still gathering power for a further assault. The profile shows nice leathery notes, but some more spice and tobacco flavors have leveled out the profile into a nice mix of elements. The draw is still performing well. The burn, however, is beginning to fatigue slightly. There is a small runner that is showing some stubbornness at the end of the middle third and into the final third of the smoke.
The final third really assaults the senses strength wise and gives a full kick to the palate. There are notes of leather, tobacco and spice. The profile never really showed any complexity, but it did have some nice depth as it progressed. The draw and burn maintain a high level of quality throughout.
Appearance- 90 a nice, simple, yet elegant cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that could use more complexity
Construction- 90 excellent with the exception of one runner
Strength- 94 an excellent full bodied experience
Overall- 90.25 an above average smoke that performed very well
The cigar opens with a profile of leather, leather and more leather. I have noted these as being very close to a Cuban Bolivar in the past and I stand by the assessment. At the back of the palate there are some notes of spice and a nice tobacco flavor compliments the experience. The draw is very easy and produces volumes of light white smoke that drifts lazily away. The burn is excellent and produces a solid medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar holds together nicely. The profile continues to show a core of leathery notes with some hints of spice and tobacco at the back of the palate. The draw continues to be exceptional and the burn has maintained it level of excellence as well.
The middle third of the cigar picks up some steam in the strength department. It is now a nearly full bodied smoke that is still gathering power for a further assault. The profile shows nice leathery notes, but some more spice and tobacco flavors have leveled out the profile into a nice mix of elements. The draw is still performing well. The burn, however, is beginning to fatigue slightly. There is a small runner that is showing some stubbornness at the end of the middle third and into the final third of the smoke.
The final third really assaults the senses strength wise and gives a full kick to the palate. There are notes of leather, tobacco and spice. The profile never really showed any complexity, but it did have some nice depth as it progressed. The draw and burn maintain a high level of quality throughout.
Appearance- 90 a nice, simple, yet elegant cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that could use more complexity
Construction- 90 excellent with the exception of one runner
Strength- 94 an excellent full bodied experience
Overall- 90.25 an above average smoke that performed very well
Monday, September 7, 2009
Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ Maduro Selecto
I reviewed the natural version of this vitola a couple of weeks ago and found that cigar to be excellent, reminiscent of a Cuban Bolivar. This cigar is the darker cousin in the Maduro format, it is also darker in character, the Jekyll to the previous cigar's Hyde. The cigar is pleasant to look at with a flawless triple seam construction. The wrapper is dark and rich, with a toothy quality. The construction feels firm, but I detect no issues upon examination. The pre light aroma is a melange of tobacco and woody notes. The pre light draw hints of spice and is well laced with a preview of nicotine.
The cigar begins with notes of cocoa and rich tobacco flavors, these are direct flavors and I do not labor to detect them. The burn is sharp and firm and the smoke is lacing the tongue with a nicotine tingle. The first two inches progress well and the cigar's performance is rock solid.
At just before the halfway mark a profile shift is afoot. There are notes of coffee, rich tobacco and exotic spice on the palate. The power of this cigar is sneaky and I can feel it creeping up on me, almost as if it is trying to be unnoticed. The burn stays solid and the cigar continues to deserve performance accolades.
The final third of this cigar shows all the character of a late round puncher. The are jabs of coffee, earth and tobacco with the uppercuts of nicotine. The burn has stayed true and the cigar is showing all sorts of character and poise.
The finish is excellent and the palate is sated with nicotine, coffee and tobacco flavors.
Appearance- 92 an attractive cigar
Taste- 90 well balanced and maintained, but could use some more depth
Construction- 96 nearly flawless
Strength- 92 an excellent, sneaky full bodied offering that could benefit with less punch in the finish
Overall- 92.5 another Pepin home run
The cigar begins with notes of cocoa and rich tobacco flavors, these are direct flavors and I do not labor to detect them. The burn is sharp and firm and the smoke is lacing the tongue with a nicotine tingle. The first two inches progress well and the cigar's performance is rock solid.
At just before the halfway mark a profile shift is afoot. There are notes of coffee, rich tobacco and exotic spice on the palate. The power of this cigar is sneaky and I can feel it creeping up on me, almost as if it is trying to be unnoticed. The burn stays solid and the cigar continues to deserve performance accolades.
The final third of this cigar shows all the character of a late round puncher. The are jabs of coffee, earth and tobacco with the uppercuts of nicotine. The burn has stayed true and the cigar is showing all sorts of character and poise.
The finish is excellent and the palate is sated with nicotine, coffee and tobacco flavors.
Appearance- 92 an attractive cigar
Taste- 90 well balanced and maintained, but could use some more depth
Construction- 96 nearly flawless
Strength- 92 an excellent, sneaky full bodied offering that could benefit with less punch in the finish
Overall- 92.5 another Pepin home run
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ Robusto
This has always been the lesser of the two JJ's, in my mind, as I have always thought the maduro version to be superior. The cigar presents with a dark natural wrapper with few veins. The wrapper is well applied, but the cigar feels a little tight in a couple of spots. The pre light aroma is of tobacco and light spice. The pre light draw has peppery notes with an undertone of spice.
The cigar begins with full blasts of pepper, almost as if it is on a quest to prove that it is equal to it's darker cousin. The smoke booms out and the burn is sharp. The draw is smooth and fulfilling. The first inch is a real pepper bomb and I don't remember this cigar showing that much character before. After the first inch the peppery core settles down and some tobacco and leather notes appear.
At just past a third of the way into the smoke the core is of leather, there is a fabulous undertone of ginger and spice that has appeared at the back of the palate. The complexity of this cigar so early in the smoke has me inspired about the rest of it. The burn has stayed nice, maybe a bit lopsided, but not detracting from the experience.
The final half of this cigar maintains a leathery core, reminiscent of cuban Bolivars, but there are complex notes of ginger, spice, tobacco and earth in the background. The level of flavor here is astounding! I encounter only one burn flaw with about one third of the cigar remaining, but I am able to smoke through it.
The finish is long and excellent. There are notes of leather, earth, spice, ginger and tobacco. This JJ can certainly stand on it's own. A superior smoke.
Appearance- 90 the wrapper lacks some oils detracting from the appeal
Taste- 95 an excellent complex smoke with depth and character
Construction- 91 a little tight in the roll, one burn flaw
Strength- 91 and excellent medium/full smoke almost perfectly balanced with the character of the cigar. It could have used some more kick.
Overall- 91.75 excellent, a must smoke
The cigar begins with full blasts of pepper, almost as if it is on a quest to prove that it is equal to it's darker cousin. The smoke booms out and the burn is sharp. The draw is smooth and fulfilling. The first inch is a real pepper bomb and I don't remember this cigar showing that much character before. After the first inch the peppery core settles down and some tobacco and leather notes appear.
At just past a third of the way into the smoke the core is of leather, there is a fabulous undertone of ginger and spice that has appeared at the back of the palate. The complexity of this cigar so early in the smoke has me inspired about the rest of it. The burn has stayed nice, maybe a bit lopsided, but not detracting from the experience.
The final half of this cigar maintains a leathery core, reminiscent of cuban Bolivars, but there are complex notes of ginger, spice, tobacco and earth in the background. The level of flavor here is astounding! I encounter only one burn flaw with about one third of the cigar remaining, but I am able to smoke through it.
The finish is long and excellent. There are notes of leather, earth, spice, ginger and tobacco. This JJ can certainly stand on it's own. A superior smoke.
Appearance- 90 the wrapper lacks some oils detracting from the appeal
Taste- 95 an excellent complex smoke with depth and character
Construction- 91 a little tight in the roll, one burn flaw
Strength- 91 and excellent medium/full smoke almost perfectly balanced with the character of the cigar. It could have used some more kick.
Overall- 91.75 excellent, a must smoke
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