Size: 5″ x 50.5 was measured (supposed to be 5″ x 50, Robusto)
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Corojo
Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan
Was rummaging through the humidor and had to find something shorter to smoke and this is what I dug out. I’ve seen it in a number of samplers and I have a few, so I figured it was time to give it a try.
Appearance:
This is a pretty good looking stick. A nice corojo wrapper with a medium vein. It takes some attention to notice where the wrapper was rolled and it’s cloaked in the standard DPG double ring. A nice touch. Nothing about this stick really draws points away from itself.
Construction:
Construction seems to be spot on, coming in a .5 over the stated ring gauge (can’t complain about that). The density is consistent, the rings remove with ease and there just isn’t much more to say…
Aroma:
The aroma almost reminds me of a full maduro… just not quite as sweet. There is spice and that typical full flavored cigar smell, yet it’s not too strong in the nose and shouldn’t quite offend anyone. I would like for it to be a tad stronger though….
Burn/Ash:
Burn so far into the first third is impressive – razor sharp. The first ash fell at 1″, but it was surprisingly firm and intact when it hit the ground. Burn continues to be razor sharp. The second ash also fell at 1″ but was also surprisingly firm and intact… Normally such a firm ash can hold much longer. Burn is still razor sharp and continues as such to the end.
Draw/Smoke:
Draw is spot on – meaning a perfect medium. Smoke is full and creamy, but more of an 8 out 10. Not a show stopper, but still rather full and creamy. I would like to see more though for a perfect score.
Flavor:
Upon lighting the flavors are full of earth, pepper and spice with a hint of walnut. A dry bitter set of flavors. A few draws in and the stick has mellowed some. Less spice, still plenty of pepper and a toasted flavor along with a hint of cedar. Approaching the first third and there is still pepper, earth and cedar, with some toastiness and now more spice. Sweetness is starting to creep into the aftertaste. At a third of the way through I’m picking up more toasty flavors in the aftertaste with plenty of earth, pepper, leather and spice on the draw. Past the first third and the aftertaste is that of toasted nuts with a hint of cedar. Haven’t tasted this in awhile, but I enjoy it. A dry goodness that would pair well with a sweeter whiskey/bourbon. About half way through the stick and flavors are more of the same as experienced earlier. Not too much development, but there is a little bit of complexity.
Overall/Value:
At full retail price for Don Pepin’s strongest or fullest smoke, this isn’t too bad. It could definitely be worse. Considering I’ve only picked it up in samplers in the $2.50 – 3.00 range, it’s a steal of a deal. Scoring high in appearance, construction, burn/ash, and draw/smoke, what is there really to complain about? If you like earth and leather and pepper and spice, with some toastiness and just the lightest hint of sweetness, then this is your stick. There isn’t too much complexity and barely any development throughout the stick, but the flavors are there, and if you like those flavors, this is a winner. For me, I’d like a little more variety, maybe some cocoa/coffee notes, but it can still earn a spot in the rotation through DPG samplers….
Retail Price: $6.50
Appearance: (4.75/5)
Construction: (5/5)
Aroma: (9/10)
Burn/Ash: (8.75/10)
Draw/Smoke: (18/20)
Flavor: (30/35)
Overall/Value: (12/15)
Final Score: (87.5/100)