Quick Smoke: 601 Serie “Green†Tronco
21 Jul 2013
Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,†“hold,†or “sell.â€
The 601 Green was once a favorite of mine, but as the cigar changed distributors, labels, and owners I smoked fewer and fewer of them. It became a victim of out of sight, out of mind. Now it’s owned by Erik Espinosa, who makes the cigars at his La Zona factory (it was originally made by Don Pepin Garcia). At the show I was given one of the Troncos (5 x 52) and it reminded me why this was one of the fullest flavored cigars around when it came out. It’s still full-bodied (charred, earthy, and roasted) though less peppery than I remember. Even though it may have changed slightly over the years, this is still a tasty cigar. Next time I won’t wait so long before smoking another.
Verdict = Buy.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
I've been a huge fan of 601 since they were first released. When they underwent the factory switch, and the awful reworking of the band art, I too have smoked fewer. I know that E&O said that the blend was the same, but they have not tasted the same to me since the original release. I don't know if its aging or what, but the current release does not have the same complexity. Still, they are a good smoke (both the blue and green label). I still recommend them to friends who have not smoked one yet.
The factory switch is far more recent than the first band switch (to the really ugly leaf bands) or even the second (to bands that looked similar to the originals). Even when Rocky was distributing this cigar, it was still made by Pepin in Nicaragua.
But still it's not a huge surprise that it would have changed slightly. Pepin originally used mostly Aganorsa tobacco but has more recently grown much of his own tobacco. Now (at La Zona) it's doubtful that Espinosa has access to Pepin's farms, even as he does his best the keep the blend identical.
Thats interesting Patrick. I had heard that rumor about Aganorsa not being used by Pepin anymore. At the end of the day, the good news for us cigar lovers is that all of the above grow great tobacco that will continue to be used in some sort or another.
My understanding is it has been many years since Pepin was supplied by Aganorsa. Certainly the lawsuit (between Pepin and Aganorsa owner Eduardo Fernandez) was part of it, as is the fact that Pepin now grows much of the tobacco he uses.