Don Pepin JJ Belicoso

03-03-2009, 02:36 PM

Don Pepin Garcia Belicoso

Stats:
Owner- El Rey De la Habanos Inc
Factory- El Rey De la Habanos
Vitola: Belicoso
Size: 52 x 5.75
Wrapper:Nicaraguan Corojo oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Background: A little on Pepin Pepin has been rolling cigars since the age of 12 and aside from 2-years in the military, has not stopped. He received the rank of Tabequero Maestro while rolling and blending cigars in Cuba. He can make just about anything out of tobacco leaves. He personally specializes in those extremely difficult large figurados called diademas or salomons. A torpedo head and supple curves as you get toward the foot, which has a big bulb then a small nipple. It takes a lot of cuts to make that work, and Pepin makes it look simple. He always seems to smile as he rolls. Watching him, you can tell he really enjoys what he’s doing. He trained rollers in Cuba, and now he’s training them in Miami and in Estelí.

When Pepin Garcia left Cuba for Nicaragua, he worked with Fernandez in the Jalapa region, and then opened El Rey de los Habanos (Little Havana) in 2003. High ratings in Cigar Aficionado soon followed. But the Garcia’s could only do so much in Miami. Given the tiny factory had a total of 12 rollers, expansion was inevitable and I believe the addition of 36 pairs of rollers in the TACUBA factory learning from Pepin is a boon for cigar smokers everywhere. There are differences in rolling approach at the 2 factories. In Miami, the cigars are made by one person, who bunches and wraps. In Estelí, the bunching is done by one worker, the wrapping by another, thus the “pairing” of rollers.

To help bring TACUBA up to speed Pepin’s son, Jaime, now spends much of his time there: one month in Nicaragua, followed by a few weeks in Miami, then back to Nicaragua. His father does a similar rotation to ensure that one of them is at the Estelí factory on most days.

The Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ, a medium to full-bodied Nicaraguan puro, was blended by Jose in collaboration with his son and protégé, Jaime—thus the name “JJ”. It debuted in 2005. The tobaccos are rich Nicaraguan leaf that rivals the flavor, character and experience of the finest Cuban cigars. Exquisitely made with the careful construction that has become a DPG hallmark. This amazing cigar, which Pepin proudly called “his masterpiece”, was one of the highest rated and top selling cigars of 2006/2007. Because it is so popular, he has blessed the cigar world with a delicious Maduro version of this world-class blend, released at this years RTDA in August. Although it is not the first Maduro created by Don Pepin, it is the first with his name on it(1).

Prelight: Smooth wrapper excellent construction, it has an powerful aroma to it which is spicy with leather that clears up your senses. It has a good prelight draw.

Smoke: Started fairly easy, it is smooth with a leathery base and subtle wood flavors. the ash is almost white, burn is even, and the draw maybee a touch on the tight side. First ash was almost 1/3 of the way in. It is medium bodied but med/full on flavor. The smoke is white and spice comes in 1/2 way in as the woody flavor goes away. It then becomes nutty and mellow with a minor spice and some notes of coffee. The aroma smells like a sweet spice like nutmeg. It starts to burn slow approaching the finish and the spice picks up. The wrapper burns a little uneven at the finish but does not stop my enjoyment.

Final Thought:
This is a quality smoke that is good after a light dinner or maybee lunch. Starts out full of flavor and becomes more mellow as it goes on with the flavors being more subtle but still complex. Great smoke if you like something more mellow than his other blends. These will be a goto in my humi when I want something of that character. I got to sat that I am impressed with the amount of flavor and subtle changes that come off this stogie

MSRP: Around $8.60 a cigar

Like it: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Buy it again: You bet!

(1) courtesy of cigar fan

Kreth · 03-03-2009, 02:42 PM

Nice review, thanks. I have a 5er of these from the devil site that should be just about rested enough to smoke.

G G · 03-03-2009, 02:44 PM

Nice review, thanks.

Skywalker · 03-03-2009, 02:47 PM

Thanks for the review and the history!!!

I really enjoy these, especially the Maduro!!!

03-03-2009, 03:14 PM

Good review,,very concise and good info. I have about 7 left and almost time to get more. I always hear good things about this cigar.

03-04-2009, 02:41 PM

Thanks guys.

Also I made a mistake the wrapper is a rosado which I have known for a while but the source I was looking at must have been talking about the maduro.

MedicCook · 03-04-2009, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the review. I have not had a DPG that I did not enjoy.

cle_smoker · 03-04-2009, 09:17 PM

I've only had the maduro. I'll have to give these a try as well.

03-03-2009, 02:36 PM	#1
Steelergar Guest Posts: n/a	Don Pepin JJ Belicoso Don Pepin Garcia Belicoso Stats: Owner- El Rey De la Habanos Inc Factory- El Rey De la Habanos Vitola: Belicoso Size: 52 x 5.75 Wrapper:Nicaraguan Corojo oscuro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Background: A little on Pepin Pepin has been rolling cigars since the age of 12 and aside from 2-years in the military, has not stopped. He received the rank of Tabequero Maestro while rolling and blending cigars in Cuba. He can make just about anything out of tobacco leaves. He personally specializes in those extremely difficult large figurados called diademas or salomons. A torpedo head and supple curves as you get toward the foot, which has a big bulb then a small nipple. It takes a lot of cuts to make that work, and Pepin makes it look simple. He always seems to smile as he rolls. Watching him, you can tell he really enjoys what he’s doing. He trained rollers in Cuba, and now he’s training them in Miami and in Estelí. When Pepin Garcia left Cuba for Nicaragua, he worked with Fernandez in the Jalapa region, and then opened El Rey de los Habanos (Little Havana) in 2003. High ratings in Cigar Aficionado soon followed. But the Garcia’s could only do so much in Miami. Given the tiny factory had a total of 12 rollers, expansion was inevitable and I believe the addition of 36 pairs of rollers in the TACUBA factory learning from Pepin is a boon for cigar smokers everywhere. There are differences in rolling approach at the 2 factories. In Miami, the cigars are made by one person, who bunches and wraps. In Estelí, the bunching is done by one worker, the wrapping by another, thus the “pairing” of rollers. To help bring TACUBA up to speed Pepin’s son, Jaime, now spends much of his time there: one month in Nicaragua, followed by a few weeks in Miami, then back to Nicaragua. His father does a similar rotation to ensure that one of them is at the Estelí factory on most days. The Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ, a medium to full-bodied Nicaraguan puro, was blended by Jose in collaboration with his son and protégé, Jaime—thus the name “JJ”. It debuted in 2005. The tobaccos are rich Nicaraguan leaf that rivals the flavor, character and experience of the finest Cuban cigars. Exquisitely made with the careful construction that has become a DPG hallmark. This amazing cigar, which Pepin proudly called “his masterpiece”, was one of the highest rated and top selling cigars of 2006/2007. Because it is so popular, he has blessed the cigar world with a delicious Maduro version of this world-class blend, released at this years RTDA in August. Although it is not the first Maduro created by Don Pepin, it is the first with his name on it(1). Prelight: Smooth wrapper excellent construction, it has an powerful aroma to it which is spicy with leather that clears up your senses. It has a good prelight draw. Smoke: Started fairly easy, it is smooth with a leathery base and subtle wood flavors. the ash is almost white, burn is even, and the draw maybee a touch on the tight side. First ash was almost 1/3 of the way in. It is medium bodied but med/full on flavor. The smoke is white and spice comes in 1/2 way in as the woody flavor goes away. It then becomes nutty and mellow with a minor spice and some notes of coffee. The aroma smells like a sweet spice like nutmeg. It starts to burn slow approaching the finish and the spice picks up. The wrapper burns a little uneven at the finish but does not stop my enjoyment. Final Thought: This is a quality smoke that is good after a light dinner or maybee lunch. Starts out full of flavor and becomes more mellow as it goes on with the flavors being more subtle but still complex. Great smoke if you like something more mellow than his other blends. These will be a goto in my humi when I want something of that character. I got to sat that I am impressed with the amount of flavor and subtle changes that come off this stogie MSRP: Around $8.60 a cigar Like it: Yes Recommend: Yes Buy it again: You bet! (1) courtesy of cigar fan

03-03-2009, 02:42 PM	#2
Kreth Ronin smoker Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Oneonta, NY Posts: 3,620 Trading: (14)	Re: Don Pepin JJ Belicoso Nice review, thanks. I have a 5er of these from the devil site that should be just about rested enough to smoke.

03-03-2009, 02:44 PM	#3
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,701 Trading: (10)	Re: Don Pepin JJ Belicoso Nice review, thanks.

03-03-2009, 02:47 PM	#4
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Don Pepin JJ Belicoso Thanks for the review and the history!!! I really enjoy these, especially the Maduro!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

03-03-2009, 03:14 PM	#5
Cigary Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Don Pepin JJ Belicoso Good review,,very concise and good info. I have about 7 left and almost time to get more. I always hear good things about this cigar.

03-04-2009, 02:41 PM	#6
Steelergar Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Don Pepin JJ Belicoso Thanks guys. Also I made a mistake the wrapper is a rosado which I have known for a while but the source I was looking at must have been talking about the maduro. Last edited by Steelergar; 03-04-2009 at 02:51 PM.

03-04-2009, 09:08 PM	#7
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Don Pepin JJ Belicoso Thanks for the review. I have not had a DPG that I did not enjoy.

03-04-2009, 09:17 PM	#8
cle_smoker Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Robert Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 403 Trading: (1)	Re: Don Pepin JJ Belicoso I've only had the maduro. I'll have to give these a try as well.