Stogie Reviews: Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Generoso
9 May 2007
Don Pepin Garcia makes cigars in the heart of Little Havana in Miami. And just in case you forget that while smoking the Don Pepin Garcia Blue, there’s a little American flag on the both sides of the band to remind you that this is a domestic-made cigar.
Above the little American flag is a Cuban flag to remind you of the deep Cuban heritage that goes into every cigar Jose “Pepin†Garcia makes. In Cuba, Garcia made some of the finest Cuban cigars and, now in the land of the free, he continues to produce excellent stogies such as the Tatuaje, EO 601, and the many Don Pepin Garcia lines.
The Don Pepin Garcia blue (which retails for around $8 per stick) is a Nicuraguan puro that features a corojo wrapper, a criollo binder, and a mix of criollo and corojo in the filler. The cinnamon brown corojo wrapper – wrapped into a Cuban-style triple cap – was silky to the touch despite appearing a bit veiny.
After cutting the head and toasting the foot, I took a puff to experience this very full-bodied cigar. In terms of taste, the cigar compares with the Joya de Nicuragua Antaño, but this cigar was anything but one-dimensional.
The 6 inch by 50 toro featured a cornucopia of flavor. Pepper, leather, clove, coffee, cedar, and earth were all apparent in the Generosos. Adding to the complex blend was a bitter-sweet chocolate finish.
The burn was a bit uneven, but the draw was easy and the light gray ash was sturdy. This cigar produced an abundant amount of aromatic smoke.
After the blockbuster start, I found myself thinking that if this cigar got any more full-flavored, then I might have to put it down (and I have a palate that thoroughly enjoys a potent smoke). Fortunately – as if predicting this reaction – instead of getting stronger or harsh, the Pepin Garcia Blue gained a sweet and creamy edge as it progressed. With this new smooth quality added to an already very complex array of flavors, I proceeded to smoke this cigar down to its nub.
Overall, the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Generosos is an impressive smoke, blending Nicuraguan tobacco into a rich, complex, Cuban-like flavor that earns it four and 1/2 out of five stogies.
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Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
I agree with the props for Garcia cigars. Tatuaje has become just about my favorite brand right now. No question Garcia is making some of the best smokes in the industry.
I know this comment will be out of date in only a few days but if you really like these sticks then head over to famous-smoke.com and pick them up on sale now for 10% off a box plus a free 5 pack of the Invictos.
The invictos are also on sale for $20 a five pack in case you don't want to jump right in to a box.
Absolutely spot on review. I smoked my first Blue this last weekend, and although I'm pretty new to cigars, I do know what I like, and all your comments ring true about this smoke. I too like a full-bodied smoke, and this one does not disappoint. I too was hoping after the first few puffs that it didn't get any stronger. I too found that, almost magically, the cigar tempered into a very complex and satisfying smoke. I seldom want to smoke more than one cigar a day. The Don Pepin Garcia Blue Generoso had me wanting another. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a spicy, strong, complex cigar.
Just a chip off it's black-banded brother. Relentlessly high-noted without any depth. I found these and the Cuban Classics simply boring: strong, but neither rich nor full, lacking in character. Give me a Camacho Corojo.
I just finished a Garcia Blue band. I fully enjoyed it. I noticed a lot of floral notes after 1/4 burn. Very nice. I'll be happy to get more.