Cigar Review: Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Delicias
28 Aug 2012
Wandering around a local shop the other day, I spotted an old friend in new dress. The Don Pepin Garcia, known universally as the Blue Label from the band’s predominant color, was sporting a foot wrap and a secondary band reading “Original.†(The old style band is pictured right.)
Enticed, I realized it had been years since I smoked one of these and recalled reading about the company instituting cosmetic changes to make the presentations more cohesive. I picked up the Delicias, a 50-ring gauge Churchill.
This Nicaraguan puro was the first Don Pepin made under his own name. Bursting with flavor and strength, they rolled out of his little factory in Miami’s Calle Ocho and helped propel him to cigar stardom.
Had it changed? I spoke with José Ortega, vice president of sales at My Father Cigars at the company’s headquarters in Doral, Florida, where the cigars are now made, to find out. Ortega confirmed that changes were made to the look of the Blue Label, the Cuban Classic, and the Series JJ lines to create a more unified look.
“The appearance just makes a world of difference,†Ortega said, adding that the blends weren’t altered. Several Blue Label sizes were discontinued, he said, bringing the total now to nine. The Delicias retails for about $7.50 a stick, less by the box of 24.
And how was the smoke? Well, I can answer with a question you’ll likely ask yourself: Why haven’t I been smoking more of these? The cigar has great construction, draw, and burn, working slowly down the 7-inch frame as it produces a wildfire volume of smoke.
That time allows the Blue Label to develop and change several times. Beginning with pepper, it shifts to deep wood and rich leather and even hints of cinnamon and cocoa as it moves along.
Years ago, Patrick S gave another vitola in this line four and a half stogies out of five, and I wouldn’t dream of arguing.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Thanks for the review. I prefer the Generoso size, and buy them as often as I can. What a great smoke!
Love the Generoso size and Esquisitios (i think… its the corona gorda). One of my all time favorite blends.
The blue line is one of his best creations. I just wish they were a tad cheaper. Where I'm from the robusto is in the $9 range.
These ae good. There are times when it seems every puff tastes different than the one before. If I had a complaint about this cigar it may be that it is almost overwhelming at times.
Love this cigar in the generoso size (a size cigarsintl seems to have on sale pretty often). Anyone else think the La Aurora Corojo line tastes similar to these (I do).
I was recommended the Imperiales vitola (6.25 x 52 torpedo) by my online supplier as I was sick of tossing 30% of all the Montecristo #2s I bought. This has become my favourite cigar bar none and the quality of construction has been 100% perfect over 6 boxes. You Americans should be thankful for the embargo, which has resulted in a whole world of stunning, affordable smokes of which the Blue Labels are a great example. If you're outside the US, Cigars of Habanos stocks a good range of Don Pepin/My Father at silly prices.