Don Pepin Original TAA Exclusive Limited Edition 2019 Cigar Review

Each year a small group of the country’s top retailers and manufacturers gather for the Tobacconist Association of America. At the trade show one of the highlights is the announcement of TAA Exclusive cigars. The first TAA release for 2019 belongs to My Father Cigars in the form of the Don Pepin Original TAA Exclusive Limited Edition 2019. Unlike other cigars in the DPG line which are made in Miami, Florida this one is rolled in Esteli, Nicaragua and is limited to 1,250 boxes of 25.

Cigar Review: Don Pepin Original TAA Exclusive Limited Edition 2019
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Including Pelo de Oro)
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Toro

The Look: Packaged in cabinet style boxes of 25 the cigars featuring the classic DPG band with a secondary band denoting Original TAA Exclusive Limited Edition 2019 and a blue ribbon on the foot denoting TAA as well just to be sure you know this is a Tobacconist Association of America release. The dark wrapper has a subtle brindle effect with bit of tooth to it. In the hand the cigar feels larger than 54 ring and a little bit light with some soft spots.

The Notes: The cold draw has a touch of earth, cedar and mocha and a salty component that lingers on the palate. Moving to the foot of the cigar there are notes of are additional notes of mocha with a lingering pepper. Once the cigar is lit the initial note is what I like to call Pepin spice.

As we move into the first third of the Limited Edition 2019 TAA from Don Pepin Garcia the pepper pulls back some revealing notes of mocha, cedar and a subtle black pepper. The retrohale has some added pepper notes and a hint of nutmeg that lingers slightly on a rather short finish.

Moving into the second third notes of coffee begin to dominant the palate with hints of nutmeg and licorice. The retrohale of the cigar sees the pepper notes fade and the addition of an earthy component and the licorice from the palate carries over on the retrohale.

As the cigar comes to a close it become predominantly earth with hints of coffee and licorice. The retrohale is loaded with black and red pepper notes that linger on the lengthy finish of the cigar which grew in duration as the cigar progressed.

The Finish: One of the things that attract me to My Father limited edition sticks is the use of Pelo de Oro. I consider it one of my favorite tobaccos and I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur having sought out any cigar that features it. After smoking a couple of these I haven’t found the characteristics that I associate with the tobacco. There are a few factors that can contribute to that, one of which is palate fatigue but I don’t think that is the case here. It could be roller error as well, but My Father Cigars is a tightly run ship. It could also be that only a sliver of the tobacco was used. Whatever the reason, I didn’t taste it and that was disappointing to me. The result was a cigar that tasted like the Original to me, which while good wasn’t what I was looking for.

Score: 88
Price: $9.99 / $224.99