Cigar: Don Pepin Cuban Classic

Size: Robusto

Strength: Medium-Full

Perfect Pair: Glenlivet 15 year Single Malt Scotch

Time of Day: Evening

Construction: It’s constructed how a cigar should be: Slight give in the wrapper, giving an even and consistent burn throughout the smoke. The draw would make Goldilocks proud, not too hard, not too soft, but just right. The triple cap kept well throughout the smoke, so I didn’t have the aggravating unraveling. Well done.

Taste: Pepin is certainly one of the great blenders of the cigar industry, and he has certainly not blemished his reputation with this cigar. This cigar has all of the characteristics I look for in a great cigar. It has a spicy, peppery kick that challenges your palate throughout the cigar – never overpowering but always making it’s presence known. It had an early note of almonds and chocolate – which made me want dessert – but I powered through for you guys! This is a complex smoke. You can smoke this cigar several times and learn more about it each time.

Recommendation: Buy it, borrow it, steal it – but get it. If you like a complex cigar that keeps your palate engaged throughout the smoke, if you like a good spice and peppery note that doesn’t over power but constantly challenges, and if you like a fuller bodied cigar that doesn’t knock you on your keister, this is a cigar that you have to try. At $5-$6 a stick, you cannot go wrong with this cigar. Give it a smoke at least once before you die.

Review courtesy of Sam Mallikarjunan.

Want to try this cigar? Get it in our 5 Cigar Sampler with FREE Travel Humidor