[CRQuarto]

Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Lancero
Size: 7 1/2" x 38 rg
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full


This cigar came as part of my gift from my '09 Secret Santa, further fueling my love of the lancero format. I have to give a big thanks to him, as he gave me the opportunity to try out my favorite shape in a cigar made by one of my favorite manufacturers. I'm a big fan of Pepin's stuff, though honestly the Blue Label doesn't sit as high up on the ladder as say, the My Father or JJ Maduros. I hoped that perhaps smoking it in the lancero size would rectify that though, as sometimes larger ring gauge cigars in certain lines don't do it for me, while the smaller stuff does.

Pre-Light

As always, Pepin's construction is spot on and showcases a beautiful cigar with a wrapper glistening with oils, a perfectly done pigtail cap with a triple seam finish, and a superbly bunched foot. The weight feels good in the hand, and the squeeze test revealed a good spring with no hard or soft spots throughout the length.

Draw & Burn

As was evident by the squeeze test, once I punched the head of the cigar I found the draw to have the perfect amount resistance. Once lit, the draw tightened up a tiny bit, but was still very good, and helped along the slow, razor sharp burn. The ash left behind in the wake of the burn was a medium salt and pepper gray, with thick bands forming with each puff taken.

Flavor Profile

One thing I have found with the Blue Labels, is that for me they usually do not have much tastes to them other than a strong tobacco taste, which in of itself isn't very rich. This cigar, however, changed that with letting the wrapper do more of the talking, and it was apparent right off the bat in the cold draw. I could taste a nice peppery tone that melded well with a good tobacco taste, both which exploded to a very prominent taste once lit. After about a half inch in, the pepper backed down a tad to make way for a very nice array of flavors ranging from worn leather, cedar, good tobacco and a toast like taste I was very much enjoying.

Overall Impression

I am not surprised that the smaller size ring gauge of this cigar lent to a much more enjoyable experience for me of the Blue Label line. The wrapper seems to be where the flavor is at, and perhaps the larger ring gauge's binder and filler to wrapper ratio covers up the tastes more to me. Whatever the case is, as a lancero nut I would say this cigar will certainly remain in my humidor in the form of a few fivers, if not a box. Again, a huge thanks to my Secret Santa is due, you sir hit my tastes spot on.

[Kingantz]

I really enjoy a smaller ring gauge cigar when the draw is working well. I've got a number of different lancero vitola in the humis, however I don't seem to grab them all too often. I think a lot of it has to do with it being freaking too cold to sit out and smoke one! Excellent review and spot on with the descriptions.

[modo22]

Smoked my first one a few weeks ago. Very smooth, full smoke and a great vanilla taste. I usually do not smoke lanceros, but absolutely loved this one! I would recommend this to anyone wanting a well constructed cigar. I have to say this is one of the better Pepin cigars I have had.

Great review and perfect pics!

[BlindedByScience]

Good review, though I politely disagree with the following:

Quote

I'm a big fan of Pepin's stuff, though honestly the Blue Label doesn't sit as high up on the ladder as say, the My Father or JJ Maduros

....the Blue Label's aren't the smoke that "My Father - Le Bijou" is, but when it comes to their regular line, they are my favorite. Just finished one (a Generoso).....a great smoke, IMHO.

Regards - B.B.S.

[Gavin]

The blue label by Don Pepin Garcia ranks first in my all-time worst smoking experiences but more and more I'm thinking I just got a bad stick. Sounds like I'll have to give them one more chance.

[:Monty:]

I would really really really like to be a fan of the DP blues. I've Smoked 3 robustos but could never find the love. I definiely have to give the lancero a try, I'm a smaller ring gauge fan as it is.

[DirtyDave]

Nice review Charles! I almost smoked one of these this weekend, but ended up smoking a bunch of other stuff instead. It's definitely still on the top of my list, even more so now.

[BrooksW]

Thanks for the review

Was this a Puff n Stuff lancero?

Thanks!

~brooks

[CRQuarto]

BrooksW, on 01 February 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Thanks for the review

Was this a Puff n Stuff lancero?

Thanks!

~brooks

Not sure, to be honest with you. Jon seems to think so, but I noticed there are other online vendors that carry them. Given that one of them is a vendor used here pretty often, it would be hard to say whether it came from Al or somewhere else.

[Breedy]

CRQuarto, on 01 February 2010 - 02:12 PM, said:

BrooksW, on 01 February 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Thanks for the review

Was this a Puff n Stuff lancero?

Thanks!

~brooks

Not sure, to be honest with you. Jon seems to think so, but I noticed there are other online vendors that carry them. Given that one of them is a vendor used here pretty often, it would be hard to say whether it came from Al or somewhere else.

Did you ever figure out who your Secret Santa was? If you did you might try asking him.

[emoshun]

Thanks for the review, I know what to look forward to in my box of Pepin Garcia Exclusivos!

[CRQuarto]

BlindedByScience, on 31 January 2010 - 05:38 PM, said:

Good review, though I politely disagree with the following:

Quote

I'm a big fan of Pepin's stuff, though honestly the Blue Label doesn't sit as high up on the ladder as say, the My Father or JJ Maduros

....the Blue Label's aren't the smoke that "My Father - Le Bijou" is, but when it comes to their regular line, they are my favorite. Just finished one (a Generoso).....a great smoke, IMHO.

Regards - B.B.S.

Just further proof that taste is subjective! I'll have to say though that the lancero was definitely a great smoke. I haven't checked if they have the Blue Label in a corona size, but if they do I might have to give those a try as well. The My Father Le Bijou's are indeed something else, the first one I had blew me away. I have a box of the Toro's, but with how much I like them I might have to pick up a second box. B.B.S., is the Generoso the main size out of the Blue Labels you smoke?

Breedy, on 01 February 2010 - 11:16 AM, said:

CRQuarto, on 01 February 2010 - 02:12 PM, said:

BrooksW, on 01 February 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Thanks for the review

Was this a Puff n Stuff lancero?

Thanks!

~brooks

Not sure, to be honest with you. Jon seems to think so, but I noticed there are other online vendors that carry them. Given that one of them is a vendor used here pretty often, it would be hard to say whether it came from Al or somewhere else.

Did you ever figure out who your Secret Santa was? If you did you might try asking him.

I have a pretty good idea who it is. I should just PM him and ask.

[BlindedByScience]

CRQuarto, on 01 February 2010 - 03:29 PM, said:

B.B.S., is the Generoso the main size out of the Blue Labels you smoke?

I have boxes of Invictos, Generosos, and Preferidos'. Oh and a few Imperiales left over from a split I did some time back. I like the Invictos and Generosos best, the Imperiales are "OK" and for some reason don't seem to care much for Preferidos.

YMMV, etc.....B.B.S.

[Jsanzone23]

Something about the blue label lanceros that are simply amazing to me. The release of these from Al were simply candy and I burned through them way too freakin fast!!

[sticksnstones]

I prefer the Imperiales in this line, but I was gifted one of Al's blue lanceros a while back and just loved it. In fact, it kinda helped touch off a lancero phase that I've only recently calmed down from. It's probably made me a lancero fan for life.