What If We Lost Pepin?

shilala · 03-31-2012, 04:16 PM

The CC or NC thread made me think about this...
There are so many master blenders in Cuba, they could lose a good number and it wouldn't be likely that any one would be missed.
In the nc world, there's the Fuente's, Oliva's, Litto Gomez Diez, and a handful of others.
But then there's Don Pepin Garcia. He has had so much impact in the nc world for so long, and has his hands in so much, could you imagine if he were to just quit? I can't imagine anyone who could fill his shoes or take his place. The loss would stretch over so many cigar companies, blends, etc. that I can't even get my head around it.
Do you think there'd be a great impact? In what directions? How do you think the nc market would realign? Would Rocky finally achieve world domination?

kelmac07 · 03-31-2012, 04:18 PM

Long live Pepin!!

Ogre · 03-31-2012, 04:20 PM

It will be a truly tragic day when it happens. All I can hope for is that he passed on his love and skills for the leaf. I dont think Rocky will ever achieve world domination, not as long as there are other master blenders out there like EPC, Litto and the Fuentes.

maninblack · 03-31-2012, 04:28 PM

I am not looking forward to that day. I'm glad he has his family involved. Not sure Jaime has the golden touch but he does make some tasty smokes on his own. Good question though Scott.

BMack · 04-05-2012, 05:12 PM

I think Jaime would do just fine, in fact, Jaime's lines are as good as his father's imo. Would we be missing out? Absolutely! I'm sure that they both have an impact on each other's projects(including Tatuaje).

Have you had the Jaime Garcia RE LE? If Jaime did that on his own, we have nothing to worry about unless they carpool.

deadrise · 03-31-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Would Rocky finally achieve world domination?

this had me laughing so hard my wife was wonder wth was wrong with me.

but yea it would be a sad day for the nc market I love me some pepins

AlohaStyle · 03-31-2012, 05:11 PM

Jaime has been learning from Pepin for a long time... he will do just fine when pops hangs it up.

I'm drawing a blank right now on who the main blender is... but the folks at the factory who make Illusione and Viaje can make some mean cigars as well.

04-05-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlohaStyle

Jaime has been learning from Pepin for a long time... he will do just fine when pops hangs it up.

I'm drawing a blank right now on who the main blender is... but the folks at the factory who make Illusione and Viaje can make some mean cigars as well.

Arsenio Ramos at Raices Cubanas.

Jaime's got next as you've already stated Ryan. Pete is becoming a master
blender in his own right! The Padron Family, Litto Gomez, AJ Fernandez, Chief Hava,
Willy Herrera, Sean Williams (if you guys haven't smoked the Primer Mundo Epiphania
you should shoot yourself!) those guys know what time it is in the cigar business!

sikk50 · 03-31-2012, 07:13 PM

There would definitely be a lot of boutique companies that would be in a bad way

icehog3 · 03-31-2012, 07:39 PM

As long as we don't lose Tim Tebow.

emopunker2004 · 03-31-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

As long as we don't lose Tim Tebow.

TJtorpedo · 03-31-2012, 07:43 PM

Interesting thought! It might be just my thinking, but these guys never hang it up. You look at all these old school guys, and as long as they have their family in the business, they still play a role in the process, even if it's just merely advisory. Pepin might not be physically rolling and blending when he's 80, but if he's still around (bless him, hopefully he his), his fingerprints will still be on his family's cigars.

I happen to enjoy Jaime's work so far, it's a nice slight variation on his pops' stuff.

shilala · 03-31-2012, 07:47 PM

Does Don still blend all Pete Johnson's stuff?
There used to be a running list of all the current and former Pepin Blends, is that still here somewhere?

TJtorpedo · 03-31-2012, 07:52 PM

I realize I really didn't answer your original post. But IF Pepin hung it up, I think Drew Estates and also the boys at the Raices Cubanas factory would be able to pick up the slack. At least hopefully, since those are some of favorites right now.

OLS · 03-31-2012, 07:52 PM

Eek. This is a little like "Here comes Joe Smith, hasn't missed a field goal all season, that 48 consecutive field goals,
WHAT a streak! The kick is UP.....Its NO GOOD, its no good, Joe Smith's streak is OVER!"

For ME, life would go on as if nothing happened, but you could definitely say this is one of those too big to fail
deals where the man's hand IS in everything, you said it best.

fencefixer · 03-31-2012, 08:35 PM

Don't draw the devil on the wall there Scott.

Pepin and AJ are my favorite blenders. The whole process comes from within, like painting and cooking, it's an art of reflecting taste, mind and soul. No matter how much he teaches his apprentice, the superseding master's blend will never be the same. Not saying it'll be worse; just different.

CigarGuy88 · 03-31-2012, 08:56 PM

I could see EPC's business blowing up big time if this happened... which would suck (if pepin stopped producing/blending/ w/e). I think Ernesto and Pepin are arguably the two of the best blenders in the world.

Ogre · 03-31-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarGuy88

I could see EPC blowing up big time if this happened... which would suck. I think Ernesto and Pepin are arguably the two of the best blenders in the world.

Well put brother!!!!

Skywalker · 03-31-2012, 09:22 PM

But what if we didn't???

cort · 03-31-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

But what if we didn't???

Then Gene Arganese will never take over the market.

03-31-2012, 04:16 PM	#1
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	What If We Lost Pepin? The CC or NC thread made me think about this... There are so many master blenders in Cuba, they could lose a good number and it wouldn't be likely that any one would be missed. In the nc world, there's the Fuente's, Oliva's, Litto Gomez Diez, and a handful of others. But then there's Don Pepin Garcia. He has had so much impact in the nc world for so long, and has his hands in so much, could you imagine if he were to just quit? I can't imagine anyone who could fill his shoes or take his place. The loss would stretch over so many cigar companies, blends, etc. that I can't even get my head around it. Do you think there'd be a great impact? In what directions? How do you think the nc market would realign? Would Rocky finally achieve world domination? __________________

03-31-2012, 04:18 PM	#2
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? Long live Pepin!! __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

03-31-2012, 04:20 PM	#3
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? It will be a truly tragic day when it happens. All I can hope for is that he passed on his love and skills for the leaf. I dont think Rocky will ever achieve world domination, not as long as there are other master blenders out there like EPC, Litto and the Fuentes. __________________

03-31-2012, 04:28 PM	#4
maninblack Will smoke for food Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Kevin Location: Where the hoot owls f$ck the chickens Posts: 10,637 Trading: (80)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? I am not looking forward to that day. I'm glad he has his family involved. Not sure Jaime has the golden touch but he does make some tasty smokes on his own. Good question though Scott. __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

04-05-2012, 05:12 PM	#5
BMack Dreaming of Bolivars Join Date: Apr 2012 First Name: Brian Location: Tampa Posts: 43 Trading: (0)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? I think Jaime would do just fine, in fact, Jaime's lines are as good as his father's imo. Would we be missing out? Absolutely! I'm sure that they both have an impact on each other's projects(including Tatuaje). Have you had the Jaime Garcia RE LE? If Jaime did that on his own, we have nothing to worry about unless they carpool. __________________ My backyard is more humid than my humidor.

03-31-2012, 05:11 PM	#7
AlohaStyle Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: WA Posts: 1,168 Trading: (40)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? Jaime has been learning from Pepin for a long time... he will do just fine when pops hangs it up. I'm drawing a blank right now on who the main blender is... but the folks at the factory who make Illusione and Viaje can make some mean cigars as well.

03-31-2012, 07:13 PM	#9
sikk50 Just Bored Really... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The Jefferson State Posts: 2,084 Trading: (13)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? There would definitely be a lot of boutique companies that would be in a bad way __________________ "Not a Headache in a Hogshead"

03-31-2012, 07:39 PM	#10
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,305 Trading: (60)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? As long as we don't lose Tim Tebow. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

03-31-2012, 07:43 PM	#12
TJtorpedo Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Tim Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? Interesting thought! It might be just my thinking, but these guys never hang it up. You look at all these old school guys, and as long as they have their family in the business, they still play a role in the process, even if it's just merely advisory. Pepin might not be physically rolling and blending when he's 80, but if he's still around (bless him, hopefully he his), his fingerprints will still be on his family's cigars. I happen to enjoy Jaime's work so far, it's a nice slight variation on his pops' stuff. __________________

03-31-2012, 07:47 PM	#13
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? Does Don still blend all Pete Johnson's stuff? There used to be a running list of all the current and former Pepin Blends, is that still here somewhere? __________________

03-31-2012, 07:52 PM	#14
TJtorpedo Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Tim Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? I realize I really didn't answer your original post. But IF Pepin hung it up, I think Drew Estates and also the boys at the Raices Cubanas factory would be able to pick up the slack. At least hopefully, since those are some of favorites right now. __________________

03-31-2012, 07:52 PM	#15
OLS Suck It Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brad Location: TN Posts: 7,912 Trading: (19)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? Eek. This is a little like "Here comes Joe Smith, hasn't missed a field goal all season, that 48 consecutive field goals, WHAT a streak! The kick is UP.....Its NO GOOD, its no good, Joe Smith's streak is OVER!" For ME, life would go on as if nothing happened, but you could definitely say this is one of those too big to fail deals where the man's hand IS in everything, you said it best.

03-31-2012, 08:35 PM	#16
fencefixer Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 544 Trading: (7)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? Don't draw the devil on the wall there Scott. Pepin and AJ are my favorite blenders. The whole process comes from within, like painting and cooking, it's an art of reflecting taste, mind and soul. No matter how much he teaches his apprentice, the superseding master's blend will never be the same. Not saying it'll be worse; just different.

03-31-2012, 08:56 PM	#17
CigarGuy88 Good Cigar = Good Day Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Steve Location: Massachusetts Posts: 850 Trading: (38)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? I could see EPC's business blowing up big time if this happened... which would suck (if pepin stopped producing/blending/ w/e). I think Ernesto and Pepin are arguably the two of the best blenders in the world. Last edited by CigarGuy88; 03-31-2012 at 09:01 PM.

03-31-2012, 09:22 PM	#19
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: What If We Lost Pepin? But what if we didn't??? __________________ Smoke what you like!!!