Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic Figurado (Pictures Included!!)

[AuburnFan1980]

Hey boys and girls! It's time for yet another humble review, and this time with pictures!

Tonight's review is on the Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic Figurado. Here's some basic info on the stick before getting started:

Size: Figurado- 6 x 60
Wrapper: Corojo (Nicaragua)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full

Light-up time!!



The pre-light draw was very nice, and construction is certainly top-notch. It was an easy light with an even burn to start. Right from the gates- I'm talking the first few puffs I take of this thing, the peppery taste makes it presence known. However, this is also accompanied with a somewhat creamy/leathery feel to it as well.

First 1/3rd



Nice draw and even burn, but the wrapper begins unraveling. (I will admit that this is possibly due to the fact that I had just recently purchased this cigar out of town and the transfer from one humidor to my traveldor, then on to my humidor at home with the variance in temps, humidity, etc. could have contributed to this as well. I do not take this into account of my overall experience with this stick, nor do I want any of you to do the same...please attribute this to my unwillingness to let this rest for a while in my humi. Now...back to the review. ) The pepper became very predominant early and often, but towards the end of the first third, gave way to heavy flavors of cocoa and coffee. Very satisfying body and flavor so far.

Second 1/3rd



Ignore the fat face in the picture and check out the nice piece of ash I'm holding instead! Half-way through this smoke, the pepper has subsided, and though this is clearly a full-bodied smoke, it's now very smooth with hints of earth and leather, and the earthy flavor continuing on predominantly through this segment of the smoke.

Final 1/3rd



The draw on this cigar has been absolutely fantastic throughout and I've had no further wrapper problems as the burn has been quite consistent. This stick, though full, has become extremely smooth and even more satisfying with a leathery/creamy feel and hints of wood and earth towards the end. I hated to have to quit as you can see in the picture below and I nubbed it as far as I could!



I must say that after being told how well this stick would appeal to my flavor-profile and having the anticipation being built up for so long, it did not disappoint at all, even surpassing all expectations as lofty as they may have been. My final numbers for the rating of this stick are as follows (on a ten-point scale):

Draw: 9.5
Burn: 9.5
Construction: 9
Flavor 9

Overall: 9.25 (This is HIGH as I'm extremely picky)

I would strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a full-bodied experience complete with peppery-creamy-goodness. Though not for the faint-of-heart, it's very satisfying, and one of the best sticks I've tried over the past year. Highly Recommended!

Thanks for taking the time to read my humble review, and as always, your feedback is appreciated!

Jason

[AuburnFan1980]

Just wanted to let everyone know my latest review of the Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic Figurado can be found in the Non-Habanos Review Section, or you can just click here:

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...40#post1546240

As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated as I would love to hear your thoughts on this stick as well as encourage many others who enjoy a full-bodied smoke to try it because it's GOOOOOOOOOD!

Jason

[dwhitacre]

Nice Review and great pictures!!!

I think I saw more of you than I did the cigar!!! J/K

Jason, you are young and good looking, heck there may be some SOTL looking at reviews... Oh... I'm on to you!!!

[dunng]

Thanks for the review! One of my favorite go to sticks, just not that size...

[romwarrior]

Right now I just so happen to be smoking the robusto sized 1979 of this smoke (5 x 50) and I am LOVING it. I would have to agree with you on your overall score so far even though I am only about half way through it. This is one great stick! What a nice surprise!

[wyork]

Excellent play by play.

I had my first black label last Friday. My local B&M has a Pepin custom roll that is basically a Blue label. But apparently some miss rolled Black labels made they way to the shelfs. I found them to be complex and ever evolving through out my 1.5-2hr smoke. I really like the looks of the Figurado and will have to get me some to try.

Thanks for taking one for the team

[icehog3]

Hi...I merged your two threads, thinking that threads to link to other threads are cluttering up the Cigar Discussion Forum...great review by the way.

[romwarrior]

It's official. After nubbing my robusto until my fingers were burnt, I am even more convinced how great this one is. I've had several of the CA top 25, all of which were rated higher than this one, but this one is my fave so far. Good review and I couldn't agree more. Now I wish I had kept more than five sticks out of the box split I did.

[longknocker]

Nice review & Pics, Jason! Which cigar in the Don Pepin line would you recommend starting with?

Thanks!
Greg

[TripleF]

Awesome review Jason. Great stick too.

Very well done!

[Bax]

I just had my first Pepin black last night. Your review is right on. A little strong for my tastes, but still a great smoke.

[jkorp]

Originally Posted by dwhitacre

Nice Review and great pictures!!!

I think I saw more of you than I did the cigar!!! J/K

Jason, you are young and good looking, heck there may be some SOTL looking at reviews... Oh... I'm on to you!!!

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. "Is the a profile for eHarmony.com or what"? J/K

Good review Jason on whats still my favorite Pepin.

[AuburnFan1980]

Originally Posted by longknocker

Nice review & Pics, Jason! Which cigar in the Don Pepin line would you recommend starting with?

Thanks!
Greg

Greg, I would recommend starting with the Blue Label as it's not as strong, but still very fulfilling and smooth. Also, if you haven't tried the 5 Vegas Miami, which is also a Don Pepin stick, I'd strongly suggest doing so, as the peppery/spicy flavor profile is also found in this one, but not too terribly overpowering IMO.

Jason

[AuburnFan1980]

Originally Posted by jkorp

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. "Is the a profile for eHarmony.com or what"? J/K

Good review Jason on whats still my favorite Pepin.

Well, eHarmony.com rejected my request to put this in a profile, so I had to resort to doing it here in front of all you ugly gorillas!

Jason