As kick-off to the 20th anniversary of Don Pepin Garcia cigars, the Vintage Line was released as a TAA exclusive in 2023. The initial TAA production sold out completely. The company decided to reintroduce the Vintage Exclusive as Regular Production at the 2024 PCA. Originally in three Vitolas, Robusto, Toro and Toro Gordo, two additional sizes have been added for Regular Production: Petite Robusto and Corona Gorda.
Under the Lid
Classic, simple, yet elegant, are the first thoughts that enter my mind when first inspecting this cigar. The band is a simple combination of a red brick enhanced with subtle and creamy gold outlined edges and writing. No flash here, just class, as the label throws back to the early days of Don Pepin Garcia cigars. At five inches long, the 54 ring gauge Robusto is stout but somehow oozes elegance. Adorned with a gold ribbon at the foot, I am taken back to a simpler time when brands were simply known by their names, minus the catchy and inuendo type monikers we see more frequently now. The blend, a Nicaraguan Puro, is again simplistic, yet complex as only combining Nicaraguan tobaccos can be.
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
- Vitola: Petite Robusto (4 ½ x 50), Corona Gorda (5 ¾ x 48), Robusto (5 x 54), Toro (6 x 52), Toro Gordo (6 x 60)
- Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
- Release Date: May 2023 TAA, May 2024 Regular Production
- Number of boxes released: Unknown for TAA (2023 sold out), Now Regular Production
- MSRP: Petit Robusto $11.50 ($115 Box/10), Corona Gorda $12.00 ($120 Box/10), Robusto $13.50 ($135 Box/10), Toro $14.00 ($140 Box/10), Toro Gordo $14.50 ($145 Box/10)
The gold ribbon removes easily from the foot of the cigar and the body is a light golden brown and very smooth. The underlying veins and leaf edges are nicely smoothed into the body as is the cap which is symmetrically placed onto the head of the cigar. The foot is densely packed with a darker brown filler that is interspersed with some light brown and golden specks.
When smoking a larger ring gauge cigar, it is my habit to use a V-cut in order to adequately promote a nice draw. The cap held up nicely when I did my cut. The dry draw produces some mild barnyard that seems to have a slight spiciness lying underneath. There are cedar and oak woods mixed with a hint of sweetness that I cannot identify immediately.
Performance Notes:
First third: The first draws are a nice mixture of caramel that is creamy, almost like macchiato. A tingle of black pepper hits on the finish and retro of the cigar and coats the roof of my mouth. The cigar remains creamy as the caramel lingers quite a while on the finish. About an inch into the smoke the woody notes become stronger and seem to have traded places with caramel and pepper. This gives the cigar a tasty, yet more classic cedar and oak profile.
Second third: Just as I’m settling into the flavors, there is a floral note that seeps into the background. There is a sweetness that is different from caramel, and it reminds me of honeysuckle. The mix of wood, caramel, and now floral, is quite refreshing, as the black pepper remains in the background. The cigar continues to remain creamy while producing an interesting combination of notes. They continue to switch prominence from draw to draw.
Final third: The flavor notes continue to switch back and forth in their prominence, sometimes becoming more woody, other times having more of the creamy caramel surging forward. The strength does not seem to increase, and the cigar stays very consistent. The floral notes float in and out with a fleeting hint of chocolate that mixes in now and again. Once again, as I proceed in the smoke, there is a sweet pineapple that pops in and out. The cigar has a sweet earthy complexity that is very pleasing. The floral honeysuckle comes to the forefront during retro and as I approach the finish of the cigar.
Core Flavors: Cedar, Caramel, Black Pepper
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium to Full
Complexity: Full
Smokin Experience: I was quite taken with this cigar. The complexity was very subtle, and I would imagine if one was not paying attention, might be lost if smoked too quickly. Having smoked cigars for 20 plus years, I remember smoking some of the cigars that were classics. I found many of them to be one dimensional or monotone. Not that this is a bad thing, but for many current day aficionados, complexity is important. For me, this cigar hit all of my smoking desires. This is a classic flavor profile that gets a spin of caramel, floral and fruity components making it flavorful, complex, and interesting. This Robusto Vitola is packed with flavor and has a very nice draw that takes minimal effort to smoke. The burn was excellent with a thin crisp burn line around the edge of the wrapper. Construction has been flawless with the deep V cut maintaining shape along with the cap throughout the smoking experience. The body of the cigar remained consistent in temperature and had no soft or hard spots along its length. The dense ash did not fall on its own and required a tap every now and again. This is definitely a well made and blended cigar that does justice to the 20-year celebration of Don Pepin Garcia cigars.
Purchase Recommendation: Buy a Box
Smokin Facts:
- Jose Pepin Garcia began learning how to roll cigars at age 11 and opened his first factory in 2003.
- Don Pepin Garcia cigars are produced at two factories: Doral, FL (boutique factory) and Nicaragua (My Father Cigars S.A.)
- Don Pepin Garcia Classicos Black cigars are the first premium cigar line handcrafted at the Garcia family factory.
Smokin Wrap
Cigars smoked for the review: Three
Average smoking time: 90 minutes
Score: 92
Diana (Dee) Pitman – Product Reviewer
Diana Pitman, known in the cigar world as “Dee” or “The Queen of Cigars”, was born and raised in southern New Jersey. Her lifelong dream of joining the military became a reality at 43 years young. She served in the US Army Nurse Corps as an ER Nurse and deployed in support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It was during her military service in 2004 that she first smoked cigars. Upon her Honorable discharge at the rank of Captain in 2010, she continued smoking cigars and it slowly progressed from a coping tool to a hobby, and finally to a passion. She resides in South Jersey with her Service Dog Finn Ezekiel and looks forward to retirement from her position of Director of the Cumberland County Department of Veterans Affairs and traveling the country visiting cigar lounges and her many friends she has made through the cigar lifestyle.
