Don Pepin Garcia Original Exclusivos Review

Original Exclusivos
Made by: Don Pepin Garcia
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 9 1/5 by 48

The picture does this cigar justice, it is an absolute monster. Coming in at 9.2 by 48 this is guaranteed to be a long smoke. With that I am going to make a guess and say it lasts around 2 hours, but the smaller ring gauge may keep it to a more normalized time. The Cuban Classic was a good cigar that I reviewed a month or two back, this is another line by DPG (Don Pepin Garcia). I know for a fact the lancero version of this cigar is delicious. That has my hopes up for this, lets see what it has to offer with a Don Pepin Garcia Original Exclusivos Review.

Prelight

For its size, the construction of this cigar looks perfect. Visible seams, lots of tooth on the wrapper, small to medium veins. The veins may cause some burn issues. There are a couple of wrapper flaws but it’s hard to detract it for that due to its size. That’s a large surface area of beautiful wrapper. The foot is giving off more traditional notes nothing impressive. Dry cocoa, mixed pepper, and light cedar. Absolutely perfect cut, brushed off with my finger and there was no loose tobacco. The prelight draw shows a robust dark chocolate with a mixed black and white pepper. Little red pepper tingling is present on the tongue. Abnormal draw but I think that’s just due to the size. We’ll see, it feels like a tunneling issue 2/3 into the cigar. There is a soft spot right there as well. Let’s see what it has to offer.

1/3

Low smoke production at the start because it has so far to travel, it’s slightly frustrating. The thickness and production is growing slowly though. Easy and even light, again I am not worried about this cigars construction, it seems to be rolled very well with the exception of that soft spot. Cedar and dry cocoa on the front, cashew on the center, and white pepper on the finish. Mild to medium body right now with the smoke production low. Strength is non-existent, I hope smoke thickness and body rises to a medium at least. Hard draw simply due to the size. As I get into the first third dry cocoa is on the front then there is a light sour hay note alongside cashew. The finish is white and black mixed pepper. Into the first third means 2 inches in by the way. Not very unique flavors but the size of this is the impressive part. No burn issues, not razor sharp but it’s holding well. Compact ash, seems to be falling off in 1 1/2 inch chunks.  At the end of the first third the smoke production is increasing again up to a medium, body hit a medium as well. The cigar is being pretty consistent, dry cocoa maintains the front. Hay and cashew are on the center still, and the finish is still mixed pepper.

2/3

At the start of the second third, medium body and low strength. Dark chocolate has begun to take the spot where the dry cocoa was. Cashew is on the center still and the finish is the mixed pepper with a slight leather. Good burn still, smoke production and thickness are both at a medium as well. Dry cocoa is back on the front at the end of the second third, leather and mixed pepper control the center and finish of the profile at this time. Body is holding at a medium and strength is still at a low. This is really enjoyable as I reach the hour and a half mark. The burn line is still going well, the cigar passed the soft spot with no issue. No changes to the smoke production or thickness.

3/3

I can officially say I have reached the last third! This cigar is like a marathon, but the flavors are consistent and enjoyable. Dry cocoa remains on the front and leather and mixed pepper control the center and finish still. The draw is still above average resistance, medium bodied and medium smoke production. Low strength and medium smoke thickness. Good burn line still, this has been a long but good cigar. Forward the end of the second third the dry cocoa remains on the front with a sour hay. The center and finish maintain the leather and mixed pepper notes. Last flavor update at the nub after over 2 hours. Dry cocoa on the front and the mixed pepper is up on the center and finish. White pepper on the front and black on the backside.

Smoke Time: 2 hours ad 15 minutes

Conclusion: 85

This cigar is a novelty, at 9 inches this is for a long event or golf. I can’t think of an occasion for it personally but it is well built for its size and it is tasty. Absolutely worth having, but when to smoke it will depend on the person. It is a endeavor to sit down and smoke this cigar.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com