Don Pepín García Cuban Classic Connecticut by My Father

I've been slacking. Making a solid effort to try and correct that. Returning to an old favorite tonight, another beauty put together by the Garcías at My Father: the Don Pepín García, Cuban Classic.

Cigar: Don Pepín García Cuban Classic Connecticut, by My Father

Vitola: Robusto (5” x 50)

Price: $7.80

Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium-Full

Rating (out of 10): 9.7

Appearance:
I have to comment on the band first; a black-and-gold motif with touches of red that balances elegantly against the golden-brown wrapper. The foot is adorned with a ribbon band, as are most My Father blends; this one in particular is a muted gold color. The wrapper has some slight veins, a neat cap, and a light sheen of oil. I've always been as drawn to this cigar visually as I have to its taste.

Construction:
Construction is as perfect as any My Father cigar, balanced and undamaged. The cap is perfect and cuts easily (I messed up, and left my Xikar XO cutter at work, so I cut this one using a box jack I picked up at a Drew Estate event recently.

Aroma:
The barrel smells softly of cedar and nuts, and there's a bit of cream and chocolate.

First Third:
The cold draw is sweet, like white chocolate and oats. After lighting, the first draws present much the same flavor profile, with a dash of salt on the finish. About a half-inch down, there's an increasing tone of cedar on the primary flavor profile.

There's a somewhat loose greying ash column that taps off pretty easily. The burn line is pretty even. I got a good light.

There's a very gradual buildup of a black peppery spice against the cedar. The sweeter notes have faded into the background, though they have not completely gone away.

Second Third:
I thought the cap was coming undone as the second third came up, but it looks like my mind was playing tricks on me.

There's a nice, medium, silky smoke, a little more pepper than cedar now, at the half.

Final Third:
Some nice bits of coffee and peanut coming in as the last third begins. Bit of white chocolate aftertaste, and a hint of cream on the retrohale.

More and more of that iconic “García spice” as the cigar continues to burn down. Looking like we're going to have a nice fiery ending.

Closing Thoughts:
The Don Pepín García Cuban Classic has been a favorite of mine for some time, and sitting to smoke it tonight was as satisfying as it has ever been. It showcases the spice that is iconic of cigars bearing the García name, and is well worth the extra time I've spent awake tonight to finally review it. It's certainly much bolder and flavorful than many other Connecticuts, and it gets my highest recommendation for smokers who like a rich, creamy sweetness mixed with a spicy, peppery heat.