Padilla Achilles Especiales Review

[Glacierman]

Just to clarify: although the Achilles is manufactured at Don Pepin Garcia's factory in Estelí, Ernesto Padilla came up with the blend, so technically this isn't a Pepin cigar. Just thought you'd like to know.

[Bleedingshrimp]

Thanks for dashing my hopes and dreams!!!!!! LMAO...seriously though I have a Padilla Miami 8/11 coming in this week from Devil Site so maybe I can give that one a go in a few weeks.

[donp]

Originally Posted by Glacierman

Just to clarify: although the Achilles is manufactured at Don Pepin Garcia's factory in Estelí, Ernesto Padilla came up with the blend, so technically this isn't a Pepin cigar. Just thought you'd like to know.

Could be, but then again, maybe not.

[Ernesto Fan]

Love Padilla!

[JHawk]

I REALLY like the Obsidian -- looks like I will be heading to the devil site to pick up a fiver of the Achilles!!

[Glacierman]

Originally Posted by donp

Could be, but then again, maybe not.

Well, the Cigars International website makes that statement: Behold the Edicion Especial 'Achilles' – a beautiful handmade blended by Ernesto and crafted by Jose "Pepin" Garcia, so I assume they are telling the truth. And BTW, they also mention that only 60,000 were produced . . . .

Make of it what you will.

Cheers!

[donp]

Originally Posted by Glacierman

Well, the Cigars International website makes that statement: Behold the Edicion Especial 'Achilles' – a beautiful handmade blended by Ernesto and crafted by Jose "Pepin" Garcia, so I assume they are telling the truth. And BTW, they also mention that only 60,000 were produced . . . .

Make of it what you will.

Cheers!

Yeah, this discussion was had a while ago about these. My thoughts about it are that Pepin is an old friend of the Padillas, and he helped them out on a number of projects. Ernesto relies on Pepin for advice and Pepin collaborated on the the Achilles. Because Pepin is a master roller and blended, I cannot imagine that he was relegated to simply crafting this. And, I do not think that Pepin would let Ernesto put out anything that wasn't perfect. IMO Pepin's influence can be tasted in the product. This smoke has a definite Pepin profile to it. It's got Padillas' name on the label but, it has Pepin written all over it IMO.

[Glacierman]

Originally Posted by donp

....IMO Pepin's influence can be tasted in the product. This smoke has a definite Pepin profile to it. It's got Padillas' name on the label but, it has Pepin written all over it IMO.

OK. I haven't tried one, so cannot speak to the flavor profile. Perhaps Pepin was the "teacher" and Ernesto the "student"? Or something like that.

Oh, well, whatever the true situation, Pepin is willing to give Ernesto the credit.

And we have a good cigar by all accounts, no matter who did what. Agreed?

[donp]

Originally Posted by Glacierman

OK. I haven't tried one, so cannot speak to the flavor profile. Perhaps Pepin was the "teacher" and Ernesto the "student"? Or something like that.

Oh, well, whatever the true situation, Pepin is willing to give Ernesto the credit.

And we have a good cigar by all accounts, no matter who did what. Agreed?

Abso fraggin lootely When CI came out with the deal several months ago, many of us in here jumped all over it, and weren't disappointed. For the sake of accuracy too, it is a Padilla brand and smoke, but you can tell the difference between those smokes Pepin "helped out with" and those he didn't. For those who love anything Pepin, I have noticed it matters not whose name is on the label.

[kjd2121]

Nice Review - Thanks

[Bleedingshrimp]

Well a week in the humi and this great cigar is even better. No burn issues whatsoever...smoking like a frickin champ.



Can't wait to give it another spin in a month or 6!!!

[Fumioso]

I've smoked a couple of these and they're great. There's something about the wrapper that just screams PEPIN -- the corojo he's using is very distinctive. It's very similar to the wrapper on the Havana Soul.

Padilla may have been the the blender on this one, but in my opinion it's Pepin's wrapper that makes the cigar.

[muziq]

Just finished one of these, and...it's my fav Pepin/Padilla to date...but man did it have burn issues. Sucker was canoeing like Lewis and Clark the whole way through. Great flavors but this particular stick required entirely too much work...

[lenguamor]

Originally Posted by Bleedingshrimp

Well a week in the humi and this great cigar is even better. No burn issues whatsoever...smoking like a frickin champ.



Can't wait to give it another spin in a month or 6!!!

Dude, I had one of these today...wow. Wait a year, this will be an awesome smoke.

Maybe the Obsidian has more potential, maybe not...but this Achilles is going to be special. I can just imagine all the creamy, wonderful notes that this cigar will have once the edges round off.

[ghost]

I tried one over the weekend and agree that these need a lot of rest. I have had no luck with the Obsidian (each time way too wet) and the same probably goes for the Achilles. With that said, I did get much more flavors out of this than I did the Obsidian (which basically tasted like pepper and water). The one flavor I absolutely loved with this smoke was this wonderful creamy buttery flavor that would hit you sort of like an after taste. Can't wait to smoke these after 6 months sleep on them @ 65%.