Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial-Prerelease

[Brooks W]

I was very interested in this cigar when I first heard about it...

The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial is a new cigar blended entirely by (obviously) Jaime Garcia, son of cigar legend José "Pepin" Garcia, and was debuted at a event at at the Cigar Inn in New York City on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Only 100 boxes were available at the event, and it will be a limited cigar when released in the Spring of 2010, and will be packaged in boxes of ten with an MSRP of about $250.



* Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf (6 years old)
* Binder: Ecuadoran
* Filler: Nicaragua
* Size: 6 Inches
* Ring Gauge: 56
* Shape: Toro-ish
* Est. Price: $25
* Date to be Released: Spring 2010

The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial is a gorgeous looking cigar, with a dark brown wrapper that smelled of chocolate, cinnamon and tobacco. It has a fairly rough looking wrapper, (with a few bumps here and there, it looks almost Leathery) and very little oil at all...It is also very spongy when squeezed (has quite a bit of "give")...

Immediately after lighting and taking a few puffs, I was greeted with a combination of flavors: Black pepper, leather and a Strong dark chocolate (almost, but not quite, bitter chocolate) with just a touch of coffee...the four of these in combination was a very nice way to start a cigar...



The second third of the cigar started out much the same (or rather, stayed the same), but right around the middle of the 2nd third, I noticed that there was much more of a Sweet flavor that had creeped in, perhaps as if the chocolate (that was still very present) had gone from a Dark chocolate flavor to more of a sweeter milk chocolate flavor, if that makes any sense...there was also just a bit of spice I noticed on the back of my tongue...



The last third had much of the same flavors, but I also tasted the distinct flavor of cinnamon, and the chocolate was almost replaced by a strong coffee flavor...I was easily able to nub it, and it never got hot at the end...



Final Notes:

* Although there was some pepper and (a bit) of spice present during the smoke, this cigar never rises above the "Medium" level...
* The Wrapper seemed to be where the pepper and spice was present, and the filler seemed to be quite a bit more mild...
* If this cigar is released in different sizes, I would love to try it in more of a Corona Gorda (or even a lancero!), which I think would combine what this cigar has to offer in the best ratios to really make it shine...
* The Burn was great for the whole stick, but the draw was a bit loose (which is not unusual for a cigar with a large Ring Gauge)...
* Final Smoking Time was 1 hour and 50 Minutes...

The Bottom Line: I really enjoyed the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial for what it was, a medium strength smoke with a great combination of flavors...I wish there was just a bit more pepper or spice in the smoke (and I hope it is released in different vitolas), as I think that would really help the flavors that were present shine a bit more...The biggest problem this cigar is going to have is it's (projected) price...at $25 per cigar, it will be going up against some Huge players in the market (most notably Padron), and I am not sure it has the "Total Package" nailed down to beat them...

Final Score: 90

[G G]

Great review.

[montecristo#2]

$25????

Wow - I think that would be the most expensive Pepin yet. Hopefully they change their mind and make it in the $10-15 range.

[NCRadioMan]

Good review! I also wish they would stop making these jawbreakers. Price doesn't bother me as much as the large rg.

[Adriftpanda]

Maybe this time his dad won't step in and make a better version. Jk

nice review and pictures. from the pictures, the cigar does not look very nice, but im sure it smokes well. thanks for the review.

[Powers]

thanks for the review!

[roughrider]

Great review. I love your photography.

[maverickdrinker]

great review. The price tag is prohibitive though. can get some great cubans at that price.

[Salvelinus]

Thanks for the review. Agree on the price, would be nice if it was a bit more accessible.

[Giant & 49er Fan]

Thanks for the review!

[BigAsh]

Great review Brooks, as always.....sounds like one tasty stick!

Great review Brooks! Look forward to putting one of these to fire pending price!

[rizzle]

That sounds like a flavor profile that I would love, but I have a real hard time dropping $25 on any cigar.

Great review. I might have to try to get a hold of one-for less than $25.

[themoneycollector]

Originally Posted by Adriftpanda

Maybe this time his dad won't step in and make a better version. Jk

nice review and pictures. from the pictures, the cigar does not look very nice, but im sure it smokes well. thanks for the review.

LOL, it already exists, it's called the DPG Blue.

[neoflex]

Great review! At $25 though I'm out. I really enjoy Pepin blends but I don't think anything they have would be worth $25 and have a hard time thinking this one would be worth it.

Great review and pic's Brooksey....of course I have grown to expect that from you my brother!

Doh! *lol* No you didn't! So Old Jose is known for one-upping his sons huh?!?

Great Review as always Brooks!

Originally Posted by Adriftpanda

Maybe this time his dad won't step in and make a better version. Jk

nice review and pictures. from the pictures, the cigar does not look very nice, but im sure it smokes well. thanks for the review.

[wrench turner 85]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Good review! I also wish they would stop making these jawbreakers. Price doesn't bother me as much as the large rg.

come-on greg man up and smoke a man size cigar