Stogie_Bear
Chulo Savage
Date: 9/28/2014
Smoking Environment: Quiet. It happens to be a cool and dewy Sunday morning in central Florida, the beginning of what we deem autumn a far cry from the fiery painted trees and chilly pumpkin spice-filled air of the north. Ive decided on a whim to open the doors to my office and let the breeze in, as it is not often felt without an impending thunderstorm. The serenity of mornings like this still seem to amaze me, and I find myself in a very introspective mood. Time seems to be moving slow with intention, not a lazy foot. I need to enjoy this while it lasts, especially before the heat of the afternoon sun arrives. I have a fresh hot coffee, a rare outdoor treat because it seems like we Floridians must have iced everything, if only to keep the sweat off our brow. The occasional breeze brushes through my office with haste; gone as soon as it came, like the quick beat of enormous wings. Perfect, quiet, morning for a review. I put on some light classical guitar in the background, and make my first selection of the day.
*
Review: Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1950 Black Label (2007)
Size: 6.0 x 52
Sponsored by: Zane G - BOTL
*
Wrapper:* Nicaraguan Habano*
Binder:* Nicaraguan*
Filler:* Nicaraguan*
Appearance/construction: Natural colored wrapper, soft and smooth to the touch, semi-oily. Consistently packed and rolled, with a good rebound and no knots or hollow spots. Great looking triple cap. Two or three tiny veins visible on a tight wrap. Looks and feels well-kept, especially since its a 2007 stick.
Aroma Pre-Light: A little bit of white pepper and hay on the foot, with just a touch of coffee in the background.
Cold draw: Guillotine cut, although I basically just put some pressure on it with the cutter and the cap practically just popped off superior cap construction. Easy draw, with just a little bit of resistance. Soft hay and a very faint mocha taste on my lips. A little hint of peppercorns in the draw, but it mostly just taste like the freshest meadow breeze, as weird as that sounds. Its the flavor you get in your mouth and nostrils while just breathing in the middle of an open field. Maybe wheat flavor is what I cant seem to put my finger on. Truly bewildering.
Light: Perfect, easy light with no toasting. I used a cedar plank, yet it soaked in the soft flame quickly and evenly.
First impression: Just the smallest hit of pepper on the first few puffs that immediately fell back to make room for the hay and very light coffee flavors pouring through. Very light but plentiful smoke. I am not found wanting, and this smoke is off to a great start.
Aroma Post-Light: The aroma is a refreshing mix of hay and a sweet scent that reminds me of oak whiskey casks.
First Third: As I move into the first third off the light, Im finding the retrohale immensely pleasurable, and completely different from the inhale. The only spice or pepper is on my lips. The influx of smoke bares the freshness of wheat and fresh cut grass, while the retrohale is filled with sweet nutmeg, cherry wood, and sweet red wine; very complex. The retro is without a doubt my favorite part so far. Its as if Don Pepin locked something away behind a secret door. All of these incredible and complex flavors are hiding just behind the inhale of fresh hay and light chocolate, only to be unlocked by the retrohale of sweet wood and wine. If you dont retro, youll miss it.
The burn has remained relatively even and slow, which is perfect. A little self-correcting along the way, but by the time I even notice at and aim for a picture its even again. The ash is tight, but doesnt hold on for very long. As I move into the second third, the flavors and smoke and becoming sticky in my mouth, in the good way. You know, when you fully exhale and blow a huge cloud of smoke and the rest your mouth for a second and then somehow blow a tiny bit more smoke? Its that. I like it. There isnt really anymore spice on my lips and I am progressing into the middle of this stick with little change in flavors, which is fine with me. I could stay in this third forever.
Second Third: Im into the meat of the second third, and the only thing that has really changed is that the flavor in the draw is starting to catch up with the retrohale. A sweet woody flavor emerges and I am now experiencing the sweet cherry, fresh meadow/hay, light chocolate, and nutmeg throughout the entirety of the draw and retrohale. An added complexity is the warmness Im feeling the middle of my palate. Honestly, its wonderful, and reminds me of warm chocolate butter croissants when combined with the other flavors. In as much professionalism as I can must, Holy shit is the only thing I can think of. Im am absolutely loving this. Nice medium-full bodied smoke, but extremely buttery and light in consistency. Still plenty of smoke volume.
I still believe this cigar could fly completely under the radar if the smoker is not retrohaling. I usually find that with most smokes the retrohale releases some more complexity to what may already be a bold flavored cigar. With this well-aged DPG its almost camouflaged beneath a medium flavored light smoke on the draw. If you smoke one of these that is this aged, Ill say it again, dont miss the retro.
Towards the end of the second third the flavor is starting to transition and bring in some dark chocolate and coffee notes, with some dark meat. I remember getting a hint of steak in the Robusto I smoked in a blind review and I think thats what is coming through here. Still the sweetness on the back and a warmness in the center, not to be confused with the hot heat everyone hates. The flavors are still complex and light but they are turning to the darker side of the spectrum, with only a little bit of peppercorn spice coming back into the picture. Still a nice even burn and no relights as I move into the final third of this stick.
Final Third: The heat of the flame has not yet reached my tongue yet, but it is starting to bring a lot of the nutmeg and cherry wood flavors I was only getting on the retro into the draw. The sweet red wine has remained throughout, and is making the darker flavors that are now present that much more enjoyable. The spice is starting to pick up, turning to a light red pepper flavor that isnt too overpowering but enough to feel on the lips as you exhale.
Im about halfway through the final third when the heat picks up a little, but still not overwhelming. With it comes the spiciness you would expect. It is not a bitter spice and the smoke is still quite enjoyable. The retrohale still has its sweet notes but is also getting much spicier, with a serious black peppercorn flavor. I almost want to sneeze every time I retro, which is slightly entertaining.
As start to nub this stogie, it starts to build in heat and spice. Im nearing the end of this fantastic experience and dont want to ruin it with a burnt tongue. Ill be putting this stick down with a little over an inch left. Wonderful smoke.
Overall Impression/Final Notes: I loved it. Fantastic light medium bodied smoke with some deep complexities. Age has treated this smoke very well and the retrohale was incredible throughout. Great construction, as to be expected from DPG, with an even burn and tight wrap all the way down, no relights, and a great cap that let me get my normal chew in without falling apart. Overall, great flavorful smoke for the retrohaler.
Smoke time: 1hr 40min
Scoring:
Appearance and Presentation: 19/20
Lighting and Burning Properties: 15/15
Construction Properties: 28/30
Taste Properties: 33/35
Total: 95/100
Smoking Environment: Quiet. It happens to be a cool and dewy Sunday morning in central Florida, the beginning of what we deem autumn a far cry from the fiery painted trees and chilly pumpkin spice-filled air of the north. Ive decided on a whim to open the doors to my office and let the breeze in, as it is not often felt without an impending thunderstorm. The serenity of mornings like this still seem to amaze me, and I find myself in a very introspective mood. Time seems to be moving slow with intention, not a lazy foot. I need to enjoy this while it lasts, especially before the heat of the afternoon sun arrives. I have a fresh hot coffee, a rare outdoor treat because it seems like we Floridians must have iced everything, if only to keep the sweat off our brow. The occasional breeze brushes through my office with haste; gone as soon as it came, like the quick beat of enormous wings. Perfect, quiet, morning for a review. I put on some light classical guitar in the background, and make my first selection of the day.
*
Review: Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1950 Black Label (2007)
Size: 6.0 x 52
Sponsored by: Zane G - BOTL
*
Wrapper:* Nicaraguan Habano*
Binder:* Nicaraguan*
Filler:* Nicaraguan*
Appearance/construction: Natural colored wrapper, soft and smooth to the touch, semi-oily. Consistently packed and rolled, with a good rebound and no knots or hollow spots. Great looking triple cap. Two or three tiny veins visible on a tight wrap. Looks and feels well-kept, especially since its a 2007 stick.
Aroma Pre-Light: A little bit of white pepper and hay on the foot, with just a touch of coffee in the background.
Cold draw: Guillotine cut, although I basically just put some pressure on it with the cutter and the cap practically just popped off superior cap construction. Easy draw, with just a little bit of resistance. Soft hay and a very faint mocha taste on my lips. A little hint of peppercorns in the draw, but it mostly just taste like the freshest meadow breeze, as weird as that sounds. Its the flavor you get in your mouth and nostrils while just breathing in the middle of an open field. Maybe wheat flavor is what I cant seem to put my finger on. Truly bewildering.
Light: Perfect, easy light with no toasting. I used a cedar plank, yet it soaked in the soft flame quickly and evenly.
First impression: Just the smallest hit of pepper on the first few puffs that immediately fell back to make room for the hay and very light coffee flavors pouring through. Very light but plentiful smoke. I am not found wanting, and this smoke is off to a great start.
Aroma Post-Light: The aroma is a refreshing mix of hay and a sweet scent that reminds me of oak whiskey casks.
First Third: As I move into the first third off the light, Im finding the retrohale immensely pleasurable, and completely different from the inhale. The only spice or pepper is on my lips. The influx of smoke bares the freshness of wheat and fresh cut grass, while the retrohale is filled with sweet nutmeg, cherry wood, and sweet red wine; very complex. The retro is without a doubt my favorite part so far. Its as if Don Pepin locked something away behind a secret door. All of these incredible and complex flavors are hiding just behind the inhale of fresh hay and light chocolate, only to be unlocked by the retrohale of sweet wood and wine. If you dont retro, youll miss it.
The burn has remained relatively even and slow, which is perfect. A little self-correcting along the way, but by the time I even notice at and aim for a picture its even again. The ash is tight, but doesnt hold on for very long. As I move into the second third, the flavors and smoke and becoming sticky in my mouth, in the good way. You know, when you fully exhale and blow a huge cloud of smoke and the rest your mouth for a second and then somehow blow a tiny bit more smoke? Its that. I like it. There isnt really anymore spice on my lips and I am progressing into the middle of this stick with little change in flavors, which is fine with me. I could stay in this third forever.
Second Third: Im into the meat of the second third, and the only thing that has really changed is that the flavor in the draw is starting to catch up with the retrohale. A sweet woody flavor emerges and I am now experiencing the sweet cherry, fresh meadow/hay, light chocolate, and nutmeg throughout the entirety of the draw and retrohale. An added complexity is the warmness Im feeling the middle of my palate. Honestly, its wonderful, and reminds me of warm chocolate butter croissants when combined with the other flavors. In as much professionalism as I can must, Holy shit is the only thing I can think of. Im am absolutely loving this. Nice medium-full bodied smoke, but extremely buttery and light in consistency. Still plenty of smoke volume.
I still believe this cigar could fly completely under the radar if the smoker is not retrohaling. I usually find that with most smokes the retrohale releases some more complexity to what may already be a bold flavored cigar. With this well-aged DPG its almost camouflaged beneath a medium flavored light smoke on the draw. If you smoke one of these that is this aged, Ill say it again, dont miss the retro.
Towards the end of the second third the flavor is starting to transition and bring in some dark chocolate and coffee notes, with some dark meat. I remember getting a hint of steak in the Robusto I smoked in a blind review and I think thats what is coming through here. Still the sweetness on the back and a warmness in the center, not to be confused with the hot heat everyone hates. The flavors are still complex and light but they are turning to the darker side of the spectrum, with only a little bit of peppercorn spice coming back into the picture. Still a nice even burn and no relights as I move into the final third of this stick.
Final Third: The heat of the flame has not yet reached my tongue yet, but it is starting to bring a lot of the nutmeg and cherry wood flavors I was only getting on the retro into the draw. The sweet red wine has remained throughout, and is making the darker flavors that are now present that much more enjoyable. The spice is starting to pick up, turning to a light red pepper flavor that isnt too overpowering but enough to feel on the lips as you exhale.
Im about halfway through the final third when the heat picks up a little, but still not overwhelming. With it comes the spiciness you would expect. It is not a bitter spice and the smoke is still quite enjoyable. The retrohale still has its sweet notes but is also getting much spicier, with a serious black peppercorn flavor. I almost want to sneeze every time I retro, which is slightly entertaining.
As start to nub this stogie, it starts to build in heat and spice. Im nearing the end of this fantastic experience and dont want to ruin it with a burnt tongue. Ill be putting this stick down with a little over an inch left. Wonderful smoke.
Overall Impression/Final Notes: I loved it. Fantastic light medium bodied smoke with some deep complexities. Age has treated this smoke very well and the retrohale was incredible throughout. Great construction, as to be expected from DPG, with an even burn and tight wrap all the way down, no relights, and a great cap that let me get my normal chew in without falling apart. Overall, great flavorful smoke for the retrohaler.
Smoke time: 1hr 40min
Scoring:
Appearance and Presentation: 19/20
Lighting and Burning Properties: 15/15
Construction Properties: 28/30
Taste Properties: 33/35
Total: 95/100
