What If We Lost Pepin?

[shilala]

The CC or NC thread made me think about this...
There are so many master blenders in Cuba, they could lose a good number and it wouldn't be likely that any one would be missed.
In the nc world, there's the Fuente's, Oliva's, Litto Gomez Diez, and a handful of others.
But then there's Don Pepin Garcia. He has had so much impact in the nc world for so long, and has his hands in so much, could you imagine if he were to just quit? I can't imagine anyone who could fill his shoes or take his place. The loss would stretch over so many cigar companies, blends, etc. that I can't even get my head around it.
Do you think there'd be a great impact? In what directions? How do you think the nc market would realign? Would Rocky finally achieve world domination?

[kelmac07]

Long live Pepin!! :D

[Ogre]

It will be a truly tragic day when it happens. All I can hope for is that he passed on his love and skills for the leaf. I dont think Rocky will ever achieve world domination, not as long as there are other master blenders out there like EPC, Litto and the Fuentes.

[maninblack]

I am not looking forward to that day. I'm glad he has his family involved. Not sure Jaime has the golden touch but he does make some tasty smokes on his own. Good question though Scott.

[deadrise]

Would Rocky finally achieve world domination?

this had me laughing so hard my wife was wonder wth was wrong with me.

but yea it would be a sad day for the nc market I love me some pepins

[AlohaStyle]

Jaime has been learning from Pepin for a long time... he will do just fine when pops hangs it up.

I'm drawing a blank right now on who the main blender is... but the folks at the factory who make Illusione and Viaje can make some mean cigars as well.

[sikk50]

There would definitely be a lot of boutique companies that would be in a bad way

[icehog3]

As long as we don't lose Tim Tebow.

[TJtorpedo]

Interesting thought! It might be just my thinking, but these guys never hang it up. You look at all these old school guys, and as long as they have their family in the business, they still play a role in the process, even if it's just merely advisory. Pepin might not be physically rolling and blending when he's 80, but if he's still around (bless him, hopefully he his), his fingerprints will still be on his family's cigars.

I happen to enjoy Jaime's work so far, it's a nice slight variation on his pops' stuff.

[shilala]

Does Don still blend all Pete Johnson's stuff?
There used to be a running list of all the current and former Pepin Blends, is that still here somewhere?

[TJtorpedo]

I realize I really didn't answer your original post. But IF Pepin hung it up, I think Drew Estates and also the boys at the Raices Cubanas factory would be able to pick up the slack. At least hopefully, since those are some of favorites right now.

[OLS]

Eek. This is a little like "Here comes Joe Smith, hasn't missed a field goal all season, that 48 consecutive field goals,
WHAT a streak! The kick is UP.....Its NO GOOD, its no good, Joe Smith's streak is OVER!"

For ME, life would go on as if nothing happened, but you could definitely say this is one of those too big to fail
deals where the man's hand IS in everything, you said it best.

[fencefixer]

Don't draw the devil on the wall there Scott. :)

Pepin and AJ are my favorite blenders. The whole process comes from within, like painting and cooking, it's an art of reflecting taste, mind and soul. No matter how much he teaches his apprentice, the superseding master's blend will never be the same. Not saying it'll be worse; just different.

[CigarGuy88]

I could see EPC's business blowing up big time if this happened... which would suck (if pepin stopped producing/blending/ w/e). I think Ernesto and Pepin are arguably the two of the best blenders in the world.

[Ogre]

I could see EPC blowing up big time if this happened... which would suck. I think Ernesto and Pepin are arguably the two of the best blenders in the world.

Well put brother!!!!:banger

[Skywalker]

But what if we didn't???:D

[cort]

But what if we didn't???:D

Then Gene Arganese will never take over the market.:D

[JenksAnejo]

Wow, I had no idea how much DPG has influenced the cigar world. I just did some quick research; I had no idea he helped Pete Johnson with Tatuaje. Also didn't know that he helped create San Cristobal for Ashton either. Very interesting information!

[DaBear]

I don't like this thread out of fear that it is jinxing Pepin.

[emopunker2004]

As long as we don't lose Tim Tebow.

:r:r

[akumushi]

I don't know enough insider info on how much of his art he's passed on, but Pepin is truly the single most influencial and important person in the NC cigar industry today. His death would mirror the recent loss in the CC world of Alejandro Robaina. He's a great guy who's forgotten more about tobacco than any of us could ever hope to learn, and who is, if not single handedly responsible for, at least a major factor in bringing the current generation of Nicaraguan cigars up to par with and occasionally exceeding the quality of Habanos. If he were to die soon, it would be a tragedy on many levels; he's a great, friendly and personable person, as well as a virtuosic genius in the art of blending and cultivating tobacco. I hope all of his children have been hanging on to every word that comes from his mouth, because when he dies, the cigar world is going to really feel it if that wealth of knowledge isn't passed on. The only NCs I've thoroughly enjoyed in the last 3 years or so other than Padrons, have all had something to do with Pepin.
EDIT
EPC is another treasure. I would hate to think of losing either of them.

[icehog3]

Your post made me think...and smile, Clayton. :)

[AlohaStyle]

Believe me, both son and daughter, Jaimie and Janny are not just riding their father's coat tail. They are very knowledgeable in the cigar world and will carry the business just fine.

I agree, Ernesto Carillo is one of the best in the NC world. Fuentes will live on, as well as the Padrons. NC's will have no problems, until the embargo is lifted and then things will change for awhile. If Pepin is still active, he will have the leg up in the non-cuban world if/when the embargo is lifted because he will be the first/best with hybrid cuban/NC cigars as he already knows what he will blend and will have first dibs on tobacco knowing so many people in Cuba.

[Skywalker]

Then Gene Arganese will never take over the market.:D

:bh


:r:r:r

[thecatch83]

I think in the next five years, we are going to see numerous changes to the industry......if DPG goes, his legacy will go on!

[kuzi16]

He's a great guy who's forgotten more about tobacco than any of us could ever hope to learn... you see... thats the thing... he hasnt forgotten a single thing about tobacco.

[shilala]

Wayne referenced the Pepin List I mentioned in this post (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=72490&postcount=18).
It may have been at our old home. I sifted through 11 pages after I searched "Pepin", but I couldn't find it. It really was an incredible compilation of cigars he had a hand in, it'd be nice to dig it up and update it.

[Don Fernando]

It wouldn't make much impact. Yes, Pepin has made some great blends but he's not the only one. Pepin is one of the masterblenders that is in the spotlights, there are many unsung heroes that blend great cigars too that will fill the void the day Pepin quits blending.

[SteelCityBoy]

I just hope Pepin continues blending for Pete Johnson. I enjoy the DPG line up and do really like a lot of what Pete Johnson comes up with. DPG and Pete seem to have had a really good thing going so hopefully none of that changes moving forward.

[TanithT]

What a horrific thought. Just considering it depresses me. The loss to the industry would be extremely far-reaching.

Maybe someone could raise him as a cigar-rolling zombie.

[smitty81]

All the online cigar websites would crash because you all would jump online immediately and buy up everything you can!

[T.G]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yop62wQH498

[Remo]

Bite your tongue Scott :sl

[sofaman]

I would be smoking alot more Litto and Padron

[Ranger_B]

It would be interesting to see who stepped up. I would imagine many of the blenders mentioned in this thread so far would be the first. EPC, Eddie Ortega, AJ Fernandez,Abe Florez, Fuentes, Padrons, Litto Gomez, Guillermo Leon, Jose Blanco. Dont get me wrong but I think the cigar world is bigger than DPG, it would not be the same place it is today without the work of him and his family. I think the Garcias are really part of the reason that NC cigars are truly meeting and at times exceeding the CCs that are being produced today.

[BMack]

I think Jaime would do just fine, in fact, Jaime's lines are as good as his father's imo. Would we be missing out? Absolutely! I'm sure that they both have an impact on each other's projects(including Tatuaje).

Have you had the Jaime Garcia RE LE? If Jaime did that on his own, we have nothing to worry about unless they carpool.

[whodeeni]

Jaime has been learning from Pepin for a long time... he will do just fine when pops hangs it up.

I'm drawing a blank right now on who the main blender is... but the folks at the factory who make Illusione and Viaje can make some mean cigars as well.

Arsenio Ramos at Raices Cubanas.


Jaime's got next as you've already stated Ryan. Pete is becoming a master
blender in his own right! The Padron Family, Litto Gomez, AJ Fernandez, Chief Hava,
Willy Herrera, Sean Williams (if you guys haven't smoked the Primer Mundo Epiphania
you should shoot yourself!) those guys know what time it is in the cigar business!