Quick Smoke: Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Invictos

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

I read my colleague’s May 2007 review of the Generoso vitola of this line as I lit up this 5 inch by 50 ring gauge Invictos. Despite the difference in size, George E’s take on the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label is almost identical to mine. I too found a “cornucopia of flavor” with pepper, leather, clove, coffee, cedar, and earth. The abundant smoke starts strong and, to its credit, settles down to become sweet and creamy. At about $6 per stick or $125-150 per box of 25, this Nicaraguan puro—a well-constructed corojo/criollo blend that earned a rating of 88 in the August 2006 issue of Cigar Aficionado—is truly an easy recommendation.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys