I know there are a lot of Pepin fans here but I got kind of turned off early after smoking a number of his blends like the Black, JJ, and a few others I'm not recalling right now. They were good cigars in their own right, just didn't fit my palate so to speak. But a little while back I tried an El Rey de Los Habanos corona and it blew me away. So when I returned to that shop today to pick up a couple more ERdLH's I grabbed a Pepin Blue Label Generoso. I hear they are creamy, and I love me the creamy, so I splurged. $12.95...but the sale on cigars over $10 is 20% off so just over $10. We'll see if I do this again.
It's a great looking, well rolled cigar with a wrapper that's blah-blah-blah...whatever. It burns great, draws perfectly and looks beautiful. Flavor is king with me so this is what I am getting:
At first there is a little spice but that calms down quickly and everything gets very smooth right away. Leather, wood....that's what I'm getting up front. As it burns down there is a definite nutty flavor. And cream. Oh yes, this is a creamy smoke. But what surprises me is the mildness overall. Not quite as mild as what I generally will smoke in the early part of the day but, now that I think of it, probably perfect for that.
This is a smoke that is so creamy it coats the inside of my mouth. It leaves me smacking my lips. Mmm-mmm, GOOD crackah! As I pass the halfway point the flavors don't get more complex or anything but there is a bit of intensifying, if that is indeed a word. Still plenty creamy but a little stronger.
Into the final third there is kind of a floral thing going on. Herbal is maybe a better word. Very nice. I think this cigar hits a flavor profile that is all it's own. Not overwhelming strong but far from mild. The nicotine content is showing up in the latter part of the smoke, getting a little buzz ( this IS a pre-dinner smoke for me so that might account for the buzz). So I've got that going for me. Which is nice. Actually, I'm ready to say this has become a much more potent smoke in the end. Most cigars amp up towards the last couple of inches but this one steps it UP! Not a harsh note, no heat, still smooth and creamy.
As I'm into the nubbing stage of this cigar I'm thinking it might be a bit much for a morning cup of tea but with a nice strong cup of java it might be perfect. I do like this cigar. Will I buy more at this price? Not likely. I have to have the top of my head come off, like with a Padron '26 or something like that, to spend that much on an individual smoke. But if I can grab a 5'er for $30 I just might jump. Very tasty smoke.
