Don pepin blue generosos 2004 (SBLVRW)

[duabley]

Bucks28 chiefs 33

Sorry pres, cant root for brady, it would violate the space time  continuum

Greetings from sunny southern california! 74° f at 4:30 pm! Almost makes up for all the local madness and taxes (almost)

Quickly into my cigar hobby i discovered this storied and well documented brand many great reviews and history on the internet far better than my cheap 2cents worth if you are intrested. They've been a staple in my humidor ever since.

I found this smoke at a local retailer back in the mid 2000's  on liquidation as they were already well aged then and bought (and smoked) the lot, this is the last one. Hopefuly my review does it justice! 

on the left is current production the right is todays review and the 2004 stick (i believe was made by level 9 rollers in miami?)

Prelight : musty tobacco from the body and strong almost overpowering deep chocolate from the foot ( much different then the paper, barnyard, and pepper of the current one). Draw is perfect and has a faint fruitiness to it

1st puff: has a lot going on, bitter chocolate, toasty tobacco, mild pepper (like when its bbq"d into meat) and a medium dry chalky finish. These sticks are known for their massive pepper burst at 1st light so this is very intresting and engaging. Off to a great start!!

 

1st 3rd: 

Retro hale still produces the eye watering pepper but there are other flavors just as rich. Chalky chocolate, marzipan,  cinnamon, dark sharp coffee... finish carries over through the next pull. Im thinking this could have gone on for another 10 years. Tons of flavor, some sourdough takes over the pepper 1/2 way through the 3rd.  Rich is how I'd best describe it even the patio is filling up with the aroma. Great stick!!

2nd 3rd:

Ash fell off as i positioned the smoke for a pic but construction is spot on. As the 1st 3rd closed the sourdough started to dominate the profile and a new flavor came in that took a few retrohales to place ... dark chocolate covered raisin with a chalky texture. Cant say if i love it? Its like a rich tasting stout where the 1st few sips are great then it becomes a one and done beer. Great, but too much for a second. Hopefully we get more transitions here... time for a whisky!

As the smoke progressed the balance settled down and brought back the cinnamon. Now its a true pleasure to enjoy!      -And the jameson black barrel is pairing well 

Final 3rd (more from the back side of the halfway point, i think)

My lads are doing their best to end my review, bless their little hearts

Now weve got milk chocolate coverd raisin, cinnamon, a spec of black pepper, and smooth tobacco (with a touch of mustiness)  shooting my score through the roof! The retrohales are sublime and carry the sourdough hints into the next draw causing my teeth to water, lol. The chalkiness has vanished which is excellent!  What a great cigar!! Oh that i had another box of these aged bastids ???

Ive been fortunate to smoke some greats sticks, some unicorns, & and cigars that just floored me. The best to date was a trinidad robusto extra in 2019, but this 4 dollar smoke was right up there. Prooves we dont have to mortgage the house to sample the joys of life ...just need a little patience, and perhaps a we bit o luck! Now of i could just score another 50 cab of punch punch my life would be complete!!!! ?

I missed family game night and in the doghouse now ...... worh it, thanks for the motivation to finally burn light this cigar up    time to bring out the overproof burboun and celebrate my solitude!!! 

Score: 95-97 solid 97 if not for the chalkiness. 

I dont have a score chart... just damn good dont know how else to grade it?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Great review!! Currently have some Blues in the coolidor that I'm hoping not to touch for at least 5 years...

[shippers]

I don't know much about new world cigars and clearly I should give one of these a go! Always appreciate reviews of new worlds - thanks ?