Don Pepin Garica Cuban Classic 1979

Tonight we have The Don Pepin Garica Cuban Classic 1979.  It comes in at 5 X 50.  My wife picked this cigar out for review tonight.  It has a medium brown wrapper.  It has visible seems and a few veins.  At first light the draw is wide open.  Its producing lots of smoke.  The draw flavors are a sweet cedar raisin note with some green pepper flavor and spice "zing" sensation.  The pepper is at a 6-10 and is quite potent through the nose on the retro-hale.  The finish is the green pepper flavor and a slight coffee note that stays on the palate till the next draw.  The burn is wavy but not an issue.  The body is at a medium to full and is starting to ramp up to a full.

One inch down and the flavors remain the same but the pepper is taking over the draw and finish flavors.  The body has gone full.  The cedar has dropped the sweetness and the raisin note.  The finish is all  black pepper.  The green pepper has been completely replaced by the black pepper and the coffee note is in the background but fades quickly. The smoke is getting warm and the cigar is already starting to get mushy due to the open draw.  I am trying to baby the cigar, letting it go two to three minutes before taking draws.  I'm making small but deliberate puffs and the cigar, unfortunately, continues to be mushy and warm.  The burn is wavy but not presenting any issues.

Three and a half inches down and the whole cigar has gone mushy and warm.  I sat the cigar down because it was completely unsatisfying, at the 38 minute mark.  I will pick up another sample of this cigar to give it another try.  But, for now, I will be picking the cigars to review. =)

Price: 6.25
Appearance: 91
Draw: 82
Burn: 88
Flavor: 85
Complexity: 85
Burn Time: 78

Overall Score: 84