Pepin Whores, I Need An Answer

[sean373]

heres a closeup of the band from the 10 i got from joecigar. all of mine are the same. i really dont know anything about pepins though since these are my first.

[BagfullofPings]

Originally Posted by sean373

heres a closeup of the band from the 10 i got from joecigar. all of mine are the same. i really dont know anything about pepins though since these are my first.

That is the suspect band.

[Heliofire]

I just compared that band in the photo, which is the same band I got on my JC deal too, to a blue label that I got from my trusted local B&M and the bands are the same. It must be a label change. Plus CI is very respected business and I doubt that they are selling fake Pepin cigars.

[BagfullofPings]

Perhaps they needed to cut cost somehow. I will wait to see if I get an answer from El Rey de los Habanos, Inc.

[wayner123]

sean373, great macro shot. Do you think you get a couple more of each side?

This whole situation has me very interested. I know many people pulled the trigger multiple times for this deal. Maybe this would have been better addressed in some other area, where there is more traffic.

I have wondered for a time, if Pepin's supply was going to suffer due to the high demand. And if they would be forced to put out sub-par sticks to cover it. I really hope this is not the case. The blues are my favorite (tied with JJ maduro), and I did not pull the trigger as I already had a box. But if I want to get more in the future, I certainly hope this is not the "new" Blue.

[JGIORD]

I compared the bands on the 10 Generosos I got from Joe Cigar, to those of some Invictos I have left from a box purchase. The bands are the same and construction seems the same on both.

Taste wise, I preferred the Generosos, but I've always liked that size better. I'm curious to see what El Rey de los Habanos has to say about the bands.

Nice pics by the way.

[wayner123]

I found a good macro of the old blue label. So I put them side by side. The suspect band is on the left:





There is a difference. But I am not sure what that difference means. Hopefully, BagfullofPings's email will shed some light on the subject.

[JCK]

Looks like Pepin may have gone to a less expensive Printing process for his bands. The bands look the same in design.

[jkorp]

Originally Posted by wayner123

I found a good macro of the old blue label. So I put them side by side. The suspect band is on the left:





There is a difference. But I am not sure what that difference means. Hopefully, BagfullofPings's email will shed some light on the subject.

I don't know about the bands, but the one on the right looks a helluva lot tastier than the one on the left. Could be a bad shot, but the left one almost looks like a "rocket".

[heatmiser]

Originally Posted by jkorp

I don't know about the bands, but the one on the right looks a helluva lot tastier than the one on the left. Could be a bad shot, but the left one almost looks like a "rocket".

I agree. The one on the left looks like, well,

[JGIORD]

Excellent picture. After further review my Invictos look like the band on the right and my Generosos look like the ones on the left. In terms of wrapper color, appearance and construction, they look identical.

I still prefer the taste of the Generosos better. However I like the Black labels even more

[BagfullofPings]

My email system said my email is "delayed". I've never seen that one, but who knows.

I just got done smoking a JJ Maduro (I was not impressed)for lunch. I examined the band and found a few similarites. The Pepin signature is not as crisp as it used to be. There is no depth striping except for the red striping around "Don Pepin Garcia".

I guess I have to wait.

[wayner123]

Any reply yet??

[BagfullofPings]

Originally Posted by wayner123

Any reply yet??

No, I just received another email saying the email failed. I have the Miami phone number. If I have some time, I will give them a call...305-858-0001.

[kheffelf]

Ok, so the label is cheaper, the joe cigar deal of the day or whatever it is called is definitely a real true don pepin blue label. I have gotten both of the deals so far and have smoked from both of them and they taste like a blue label to me. On the email thing, I have noticed problems trying to get a hold of them as well, but this was a couple months ago. But CI would never sell a knock off of a Don Pepin cigar, they have way to much lose to do something that stupid.