Don Pepin Garcia Original Toro-Gordo

1. December 9th 2020

This is a Nicaraguan Puro from the My Father company; looks, tastes and smells like a Nicaraguan Puro. It is similar to the Alec Bradley Nica Puro and the Black Market Esteli with perhaps a little more strength. Probably closer to the Rocky Patel Grand Reserve although not quite so spicy.

Construction: flawless construction with oily dark, colarado maduro wrapper. Perhaps a bit lightly packed, resulting in a less than consistent burn. Ash was rather fine and wouldn't hold longer than an inch.

Draw: easy, light draw. Not much resistance. A bit hot towards the end.

Flavour: The Nica puro flavour: chocolatey/espresso with a little pepper from time to time building in strength to the end.

Aroma: rich and complex.

Consistency: flavour was consistent throughout with a few acrid moments which would likely dissipate with a bit more ageing.

Burn: not the best burn. Two minor touch-ups required.  

Finish: long finish

Body: full body at the outset, alternating to medium and back to full at the end

Strength: quite strong but not overwhelming. I find this to be one of the most appealing qualities of the cigar.

Time smoke: 80 minutes

Overall: satisfying, except that the nub became hot and difficult to finish.

2. January 9th 2021 One month to the day, I tried a second cigar from the box. Construction was impressively solid as if the humidification was bang on. Burn was razor sharp, but draw was a bit resistant. Flavour was a light chocolate Nica Puro flavour, towards the end it became a bit bitter, as with the cigar from last month, suggesting that more age might be required. Body also hovered around medium. Strength also was medium, giving no pronounced nicotine effect. As with last month's sample, smoking time was 80 minutes and overall verdict was: quite satisfying.

It looks quite rough with thick veins and not very oily.

 Pronounced veins, but very solid construction.

3. April 3rd, 2021. This was one of those cigars that started with such an impressive blast of flavour and smoothness that I was thinking: 'Hmmm, I should probably order another box when the current box is finished." However, several flaws emerged in construction and flavour, which made me think twice.

This was a solid, impressive cigar that feels substantial in the hand. Ageing improved it for the first half. It was smooth and delicious, with rich aroma and full body. Draw was a little difficult at times in the second half and burn was irregular, requiring a couple of touch ups, as with the first sample. The second half became hot at times and draw was occasionally difficult. Flavour dissipated to the bitter vegetal before returning to a more complex and peppery flavour towards the end. Maybe a little more ageing might be of benefit. Strength was medium at first, building to pleasantly strong. The strength was one of the most pleasing qualities. I like the sort of strength where you can feel the nicotine but it doesn't bowl you over - like the AJ Fernandez Oval has done, on three occasions so far.

Overall, quite tasty and satisfying, but marred by poor construction, difficult draw and lapses of flavour. 85 minutes to the nub. This box has been with me for four months now. Let's see whether a few more months will mellow out the remaining members of the box.

4. June 7th, 2021: Quite pleasant but medium body and strength at best. There was no pronounced vegetal bitterness and burn was razor sharp. Draw was too resistant until about the middle, after which the cigar opened up nicely. 

Flavour was quite pleasant and balanced: milk chocolate with a touch of pepper. Finish was medium, requiring a faster consumption time than might otherwise have occurred.

Aroma was pleasant with occasional whiffs of complexity. 

The major defect of the cigar was its burn time: only 66 minutes to the nub, perhaps due to the light weight of the cigar, perhaps due to the fact that I've maintained the humidor a little dryer. That might also explain the lack of strength. On the other hand, it might be due to the construction of the sample. Overall, quite pleasant, but not satisfying.

5. November 15, 2021: This cigar performed much better than that of June 7th. It was firm and well packed, showing no sponginess when squeezed. But draw was easy and burn was consistently even. It was also quite oily, casting a nice sheen in the light.

Off to a very rich, strong start.

Flavour was rich, clean, peppery and quite full bodied and complex during the first inch. Aroma started off deep and rich. With almost a year in the humidor I felt that perhaps the cigar had come of age. But it mellowed out considerably after the first inch and became a rather common Nicaraguan Puro. There was a hint of vegetal flavour from time to time during the second third, so perhaps there is more scope to age. Finish was long and allowed for a relaxed smoking pace. 

The band is especially colourful, with Cuban flag on the right.

During the final third body picked up to full body again, as did spiciness. Finish became tarry, but I didn't taste much of it the next day. Overall, quite satisfying. 95 minutes.

Good to the nub. This cigar lasted 95 minutes. Verdict: satisfying.

November 14th, 2022: After two years in storage the cigar performed nicely. It was full body from the outset, with a discernible pepper and deep, rich chocolatey flavour. The only drawback was slightly tight pack, which required a more than comfortable draw. The last third was a bit disappointing; the choco flavour dissipated and flavour was less complex. Nontheless, 90 minutes and quite satisfying. 

Another year on, not much change; perhaps a greater depth in the first half, but the final third was still a bit thin, as was the previous iteration.