I don't get Don Pepin Garcia

[Snake Hips]

I'm going to come out with it, I pretty much hate most things this man produces. I don't get what everyone likes about his blends, and I'm reluctant to try anything else of his. Cuban Classic, Series JJ, Tatuaje brown label, Tatuaje Havana VI, 5 Vegas Miami, Padilla Miami and others I don't remember right now. All had headache-inducing strength and massive pepper with absolutely no taste; I barely made it an inch into any of these cigars, with more than one sample of them even.

I've heard them compared to Habanos and I've heard Habanos smokers say they still smoke Pepin blends, but nothing about any of these cigars has even remotely suggested Cuban to me, and I couldn't find a reason to like them if one liked Habanos.

So does anyone have a particular suggestion that is kind of away from his norm that I might like (less pepper and strength), and does anybody have an explanation for his popularity? I will admit to liking the 601 Black and the La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial, and the My Father even though he didn't blend it.

[sikk50]

They mellow over time, I enjoy all of the ones I've had. What gets me is the the people that are all about his blends to the point of smoking nothing else. i don't see them as being that good. But to each their own. I know there's others on here who can't stand Tats/Pepins so you're not alone

[Fumes]

It's interesting that you like the 601 Black, because that's still a fairly potent smoke, but for a lighter side of Pepin try Vegas Cubanas. Cabaiguan is even better, though a little pricier.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by Fumes

It's interesting that you like the 601 Black, because that's still a fairly potent smoke, but for a lighter side of Pepin try Vegas Cubanas. Cabaiguan is even better, though a little pricier.

I'll have to get a hold of some of those. I like the 601 Black because it's strong, but it doesn't have any pepper, and it's creamy and has a good Nicaraguan taste.

[MedicCook]

I enjoy most of his cigars but I would never limit myself to just them. There are way too many great cigars out there to smoke to be tied down to just one brand.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

and does anybody have an explanation for his popularity?

Different strokes for different folks?

[Whee]

I used to feel the same way about the Cuban Classics. But they definitely mellow out over time. I have some now that are close to two years old and smoke really nice.

Miami's area llittle different. I like the flavor when I first tried them, but with a rest, they aren;t the same.

[Mark]

To each his own. I love just about everything the man has put out (with a few exceptions), but he certainly markets to a specific flavor profile. As for the Tatuaje's, Pete Johnson is on the record saying he makes cigars that HE likes, anything above that is great but just not the aim.

There are a lot of guys who love Acids. I can't stand them, but some people genuinely like them. I'm not going to say that they have "bad" taste, or that they are not "true" cigar smokers because they don't like what I like. Thats the wonderful thing about this hobby, and living in a pluarlistic world in general! Everyone is free to love who and what they choose, and I'm a big proponent of that! Variety is the spice of life. If you don't like them, then they are not for you, but when it comes to a hobby that is all about flavor and nothing about labels - I'm happy to love a brother who hates my smokes!

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

does anybody have an explanation for his popularity?

Yes, I do. It's because they are damn good cigars with lots of flavor. That you can't handle them and can't taste the flavor doesn't mean that others can't either. You probably like cigars I would never light again. We all got a different palate and we all like different strenghts.

[kgoings]

I used to hate Pepin's, thought exactly the same thing you did, over powering and WAY too peppery.

I had a couple sit in my humidor for 3 months I think and I gave them another try... WOW! They really changed! Not overbearingly peppery at all. Let a couple sit till after the first of the year. Then give them another try.

They are good smokes, but I would never limit myself to just them.

I always like to try new things..Though, I've never tried ALL of Pepin's smokes. I do, however, have all of the ones I want to try resting in the humi,lol.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Different strokes for different folks?

Haha. I knew the answer to that, but I had to ask it for the record anyway

[ZenSilk]

I'm actually on the hunt for something stronger than pepin blends. I had a blue label recently, and although it was great, it was too similar to the tat browns with a medium profile. I want something more peppery with heavier flavors! Illusione seem to be pretty good for a darker change.

[Bax]

If you want a milder Tat try the Ver #9 from Holts. Not the brain basher alot of the stronger stuff is.

To each his own preferences, but most people really enjoy DPG's smokes due to their peppery, spicy complexity and immaculate construction. I really love almost all of his cigars, but thats because they are to my tastes.
I sure hope you find some brands that you can love as much as I do his!

I will add to what the others have said. People's tastes are different. When I sit down to a meal, I prefer cuisine that is spicy and flavorful (chinese, mexican, italian, etc). My wife, on the other hand prefers food that is not as spicy and flavorful. Same goes for cigars. I certainly do enjoy Habanos, but I don't usually like them with a lot of age on them. I prefer them fresher because I like the stronger, heartier flavors. I enjoy most DPG stuff. When I light one of his blends, I know that I am going to get a rich, spicy, peppery smoking experience. Some folks would rather taste 10 year old burnt Madagascar vanilla with a hint of pencil lead, but I prefer spice and pepper. I guess it does come down to different strokes for different folks.

[OLS]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

That you can't handle them and can't taste the flavor doesn't mean that others can't either.

Obviously this is not what he said, but the point is well taken. For my own tastes I do not like them either, having had all of one cigar. But once you have gotten the full treatment of smoothness and delight of Cue-ban tobacco, there really is not much need for smoking anything else, unless you like hard core flavors. To me it is not a flavor contest so much as it is a relaxation aid. I like to have pleasant tastes across the tongue and a peaceful trip to wherever it is these things are taking me. Not as far as weed, but much further than a cig.

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by Fumes

It's interesting that you like the 601 Black, because that's still a fairly potent smoke, but for a lighter side of Pepin try Vegas Cubanas. Cabaiguan is even better, though a little pricier.

on both of these smokes, and would also recommend a lesser known stick that is my favorite DPG blend: Casa Royale from Holt's. Joel/yourchoice gave me one in the Blind Taste Test PIF thread and it really hooked me.

As others have said, I've also found that the DPG's mellow quite nicely especially after 6 months or more.

[elderboy02]

I love pretty much everything DPG. I also enjoy other cigars. We all have different palates.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

I love pretty much everything DPG. I also enjoy other cigars. We all have different palates.

I also wanted to add that you said

All had headache-inducing strength and massive pepper with absolutely no taste; I barely made it an inch into any of these cigars, with more than one sample of them even.

That is actually one of the things that stands out in a Pepin to me. I call it the "Pepin Spice Blast" (trademark pending). For the first inch or so there is an intense spicyness about them. Then they mellow out further into the cigar. So if you make it past that first inch or so, you might find yourself well rewarded and over time, come to appreciate the "Pepin Spice Blast".