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Don Pepin Series JJ
Things didn’t start out too well for this cigar. “Flat spot. . . soft spot. . . beautiful cap, but. . . it’s really loose,” one taster opined as he took a “peppery” dry-draw on the medium-bodied stick, then lit up. General consensus was a “perfect,” “easy and powerful” draw, bringing with it “spicy, nuts and cocoa” notes that were nonetheless “unobtrusive.” The aroma of “sweet spice” settled around the puffer. “If a cigar was judged on flavor alone, this would be as great as it gets.” Fortunately, taste is often (nearly) everything.
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
$12.50/Stick
$240.00/Box of 20
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING
Donaflor
This tightly wrapped and aesthetically pleasing Brazilian puro had a taste and aroma befitting its dark look. One taster found the dry draw was “woodsy,” while another found it “fruity” and yet another “spicy.” Once lit, though, all tasters found the cigar a cheek-sucking draw, although the “bold” aroma “If you’ve ever blown cigar smoke into a cognac and inhaled deeply. . . ” in one summary and rich, medium-to-strong taste of cedar, earth and berries somewhat made up for this.
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Brazil
Filler: Brazil
$5.50/Stick
$137.50/Box of 25
Conclusion: WORTHY
Fuente Fuente OpusX
Living up to its reputation, this “excellent, sturdy” stick produced no disappointments in the flavor, aroma, or draw department. The “nutty,” “peppery” flavor gave way to a “clean, light,” “woody” aftertaste, as ashtrays around the table filled with flaky ash. This “full-bodied” smoke was considered, in sum, “picture perfect.”
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$11.75/Stick
$349.00/Box of 29
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING
Griffins Special XIII Edition
Despite its somewhat “unpolished” construction (“loose,” said one reviewer, while another thought the cap “poorly done”) and an unevenly colored wrapper with thick veins, we found this medium-bodied special edition “easy to light,” with a “buttery and inviting aroma” and a “woody flavor” with hints of tea and pepper. The ash was brittle and tended to flake. “Leaves an impression.”
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
$10.00/Stick
$100.00/Box of 10
Conclusion: WORTHY
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