Authenticity is something that you don’t often come across nowadays. With everything being “Insta-something”, the really good things in life usually are hard to find and take time. These Limited Edition cigars are only shipped to those select 80 or so retailers that are a part of the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA); a group of industry insiders and major brands. In the case of #DonPepin, the biggest difference is where the cigar is made. Instead of the Miami production line, the TAA edition is a puro cigar made in the @myfathercigars factory in Nicaragua and in a special 6×54 vitola just for this release.
Beautifully classic Don Pepin band over a walnut colored outer leaf. The vivacious royal blue bands armored with gold and red embellishments are at the top and middle of the cigar; one with the Don Pepin name and the other detailing the TAA Exclusive class. At the very bottom is a silk TAA ribbon. The cigar itself has a nice and easy start with bright wheat and oak flavor. The pull-through is amazing and gives a great volume of smoke. Along with the light notes, nearing the finish of the 1st portion is a sweet buttery brazil nuts.
More sweetness comes through as you burn into the 2nd third. The wood also deepens to a cedar more than oak, which is a very pronounced difference. There’s also quite a bit of spice on a long lingering finish. As I cross the 50-yard line into the back half of the cigar, the sweetness completely drops off and the smoke moves from mild to medium/full with clove and red pepper. Even though the cigar has strengthened, the smoke is still smooth enough to retrohale.
There’s definitely more body and flavor in the latter portions of the cigar. With clean pronounced transitions, I can attest to the superior quality and craftsmanship that Don Pepin/My Father cigar line has over other many other manufacturers. The construction on the cigar is solid despite me having to relight it after leaving it for 2 minutes or so. I think this is a fantastic cigar for smokers who are right in the middle of moving from the light, mild cigars and desire to mature their palate.
