Picked up a few of these a couple of months ago.
Pretty hefty sized smoke for a toro, 6.5" X 52. Triple cap but not very well applied. A corner was sticking up and when I clipped it the cap split a little. I bit off the hangnail and toasted it up.
To be honest, although I have enjoyed every Pepin cigar I have smoked, none of them have
really really impressed me.
Until now. This is a fantastic smoke. Quite a bit different than his other blends. Much smoother. A flavor like sweet bread on the draw, nice buttery finish. Not nearly as much "bite" in the nostrils as most Nicaraguan puros.
1 touchup to the burn at about the halfway point.
Man, this is a tasty smoke. Smooth, smooth, smooth but with a ton of flavor. Past halfway the dominant flavor is still like a sweet bread, with a tiny bit of spice joining in, a very faint sort of ginger flavor. Long finish that lingers on the palate between puffs.
By the final 1/3 the flavors are all over the place. The spice has taken over but the flavor is still smooth. One thing that has always impressed me about Pepin cigars is the overall construction. They are packed with tobacco and very firm, but always have a good draw. With around 2" left on this cigar, I am squeezing it pretty hard and there is hardly any give.
Final thoughts
Easily the best Pepin blend I've had yet. BUT -- with a retail price of $12 a stick, I sadly don't see myself smoking very many of these. But I tell you this: next time I win a scratch off lottery ticket or find money laying on the ground, you can bet your ass I'm picking up some more Centurions!
01-06-2008, 03:12 PM
El Centurion Gladiadores (toro) Review
