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EO 601 Blue Label - Box Press Robusto

danthebugman

BoM Nov '10
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I smoked this cigar on 3/4/2011 and I'm just now getting around to getting this review up...wow, how time gets away from you! Normally I have to work a 12 hour shift on Fridays, but due to not having a sitter for the kid I had this one off. While he was taking his nap, I decided to enjoy the "fairly nice weather" and partake of a cigar on the deck. I have had the 601 Green Label and liked it so I have been looking forward to trying the Blue Label also.

For those not familiar with these cigars they are a Pepin made stick for EO Brands. Recently EO was bought out by Rocky Patel...for better or worse has yet to be determined. The Blue Label features Nicaraguan filler and binder with a Connecticut Broad-leaf wrapper. The particular cigar I smoked was a Robusto, but measures a slightly larger 5.25 x 50. The Blue Label is a box pressed cigar, though the particular cigar I smoked seemed to be a little softer around the edges.

Starting off this cigar is a nice uniform chocolate color. Seems well packed and gives off a slight crunch when squeezed between the fingers. Seams are tight. The wrapper gives off a slight chocolaty aroma.





I will say that the band on this cigar really pops and I like it a lot better than the new ones!



The cap cut cleanly, leaving behind the perfect amount of resistance to the draw. The draw didn't carry much flavor. Just a little tobacco with a slight sweetness and what I thought might be a chocolate.



The cigar lit without much effort. Right away there was a nice coffee flavor with some pepper on the retro-hale. Further into the first third there was a slight chocolate and what I can only relate as graham cracker develop in the profile. Overall quite a nice way to start. The ash was a light gray and held strong. The smoke output was a little hit and miss though.





The rain we were having brought out the local amphibians...who as it turns out like cigars :laugh:. Bob the caption is for you :hysterica.



In the second third the smoke output picked up. The graham cracker that I was getting turned into a more toasty/charred wood flavor with a slight sweetness to it. This was joined by a coffee flavor on the retro-hale, which when combined with the char was more of a roasted coffee.





The final third continued much the same as the second third except that the cigar got stronger. The burn on this cigar has rarely strayed from straight and when it did, corrected itself without trouble.







Overall an enjoyable smoke and one that I would be happy to light up again. It's going to be interesting to see how these do now that they're under "new management". I'll have to get some with the new labels to see how they compare. Is it box worthy...well that's a decision you'll have to make, but I probably wouldn't pull the trigger on one unless the price was just too good. Definitely something to have a few of in your humidor though.

Dan
 

iCraig

Cigars, hockey, and beer.
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Thanks for the review, Dan. Always enjoy reading yours.
 

jwintosh

BoM June 07
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great review. i'm not a big 601 fan, but that cigar looks tastey!! and i do love a good conneticut broadleaf wrapper.
 

Farani

Actually a Corona Gorda
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These sticks may be thee best value stick out. I've gotten all of mine for ~$4 a stick...absolute steal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

SkinsFanLarry

Craft Beer Addict!
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Thanks for the review and pic's Dan!

They may be under new "ownership" but they are still made in Pepin's My Father Factory. Keep an eye out for Eddie and Erik's new cigar the "La Bomba" coming out in May! :cbig:
 
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Great review, Dan... except for that picture! I look like a surprised blob sitting there. Geez, thanks... You realize, Bob hasn't even commented on it... I'm shocked.

Thanks for sharing the reviews, and SOME of the pictures!!
 
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