Don "Pepin" Garcia Blue Label Generosos

The last time I gave a cigar a 10 rating, it was the Perdomo Reserve Maduro, and now I kinda regret giving it such a high rating. The first one I ever had was amazing, it just blew me away and I declared it one of my all-time favorites. Sadly, however, I have never had another one as good as that first one. I have talked to several other cigar fans who have had that happen with various sticks - you get a magic one and then spend the rest of your time in that brand trying to chase the white stag. So I would currently revise that Perdomo's rating to a 9. It's good, but on the whole, it's not 10 good - but the first one I had was amazing. (And as to why we have given a 10 to an Acid cigar, you will have to ask Nick L...)

That is why, this time, I have waited until I have had a lot of these DPG Blue Labels before giving it the coveted "Smokey" award, and it has not disappointed me. I have tried many different sizes of the DPG Blue, as well as the Black and Serie JJ lines. The Black and JJ are good smokes, and worthy of your time, but once you've had the blue you'll know where you want to put your money.

I haven't had a poorly constructed DPG Blue yet, in either the lancero, corona, or toro sizes. They have all burned and drawn very well, no complaints. The flavors are strong and exciting, tending towards a spicy cedar which sometimes mellows into a peppery chocolate or cocoa. It is definitely on the stronger side, but I don't find it overpoweringly so. It's got a lot of character, though, which is what I look for.

Overall, I always look forward to the DPG Blues in my humidor, and I know whenever I fire one up, it's gonna be great. If that isn't the basis for a "10" rating, I don't know what is.

Don "Pepin" Garcia Blue Label
Size: Generosos (6" x 50 ring)
Taste: Medium-Wild
Draw: Good
Burn: Even and consistent
Flavors: Spicy, with cedar and cocoa
Overall Rating:
Steal a Trans Am and pack it full of these great cigars.

Perdomo Cabinet Series "La Tradicion" Maduro "P"

Well, this past weekend was the SuperBowl, and we all know how that turned out. Four people dead, one injured cat, and a whole lot of angry pool owners. No, wait, that was my weekend 2 weeks ago.
Anyhow, it's time for another review. This time it's the longest cigar name in the world, the Perdomo Cabinet Series "La Tradicion" Maduro Extra-Special Thoroughbred Junta Magnifico Part II: First Blood. Or something like that.

This cigar came as part of that great CI sampler I got a while back, and it caught my eye because of its strange shape and the red cellophane it came in.



I saved it for a special ocassion, and the SuperBowl and 70-degree weather seemed like the perfect time. And it was. Several glasses of Maker's Mark helped it go down smooth, and sitting next to the grill smelling the bbq wings and burgers that were cooking was just ideal. And that's when the bullets started flying. No, wait, I was still thinking of the wrong weekend.

This was a fantastic smoke. Strong but not harsh, with really nice notes of chocolate, maybe some cedar and a really smooth, earthy tobacco flavor. I smoked it down to the end and loved every second. I will definitely get this one again. This is also my first experience with a Perdomo stick, and I am interested in trying more. This one definitely gets my Smokey.

Oh, and if you hear any rumors about strange things that went on in my neighborhood two weeks ago, ignore them.

Perdomo Cabinet Series "La Tradicion" Maduro "P"
Size: Perfecto (5.5" x 55 ring)
Taste: Wild
Draw: Great
Burn: Even and consistent
Flavors: Cocoa, Pepper, earthy tobacco
Overall Rating:
MUSTACHE FEELING

Drew Estate: Acid Wafe

Alright, it seems I've been getting some crap lately for a lack of reviews on my part. Some of us don't live in Tobacco Country USA, free from smoking bans, and home of mild winters. Some of us can't smoke in bars, won't smoke in their houses, and are dealing with -10*F temperatures. (Editor: could be. Or you could be the world's biggest sissy. Readers?)

That being said, wintertime up north is a perfect time for quick smokes - and presented here is my all time favorite quickie, (Editor: ......) most recently enjoyed just this past weekend.

The Acid Wafe by Drew Estate is one metric assload of flavor in a tiny package - like the rest of the ACID line, the tobacco used in creating this cigar is aroma cured for months, infusing them with flavors and aromatics you won't find in other lines. Aromatic cigars are kind've a mixed bag, people love them or the hate them. A few years ago this sort of cigar would have probably made me retch - now I can't get enough of them.

This box pressed cigar is about 3.5 or 4" long (obligatory joke of choice here) (Editor: oh god...so many choices...so little time...damn, freezing up!), and is only about a centimeter thick - this allows for a pretty quick burn, making it a quick smoke - but unlike normal cigarillos, this one is still a half inch wide, giving alot more room for flavors and blends to be worked in.

The cigar itself? Full bodied - but in a smooth way. It's potent, but it's also sweet on your lips. I really can't describe this one, it's very different, very floral, very herbal, it's everything but mild, but not in a harsh way. Buy one, or five. If you don't like it, I'll gladly take the rest off your hands.

And PS, down south, I've seen these 5 to a hardpack, like regular cigarettes - I'd recommend this route, as these, and other strong aromatic cigars really aren't the sort of thing you should store with your others - mild cigars can mingle with mild cigars - but I really doubt these guys would play well with others... (Editor: PS, down south, you know this guy ALWAYS looks for a hardpack.)

At around 3 bucks a stick, it's a little pricy for a 15 minute smoke - but these are worth every penny. Would I buy again? I have, and will continue to do so... and because that's our main criteria, I'm proud to give this one our very first Bandit.


Acid Wafe (Drew Estate)
Size: Wafe (NA)
Taste: Mildly-Wild (Yowza)
Draw: Excellent
Burn: Excellent
Flavors: Youbetcha!
Overall Rating: