Don Pepin Garcia Lancero (Puff ‘N’ Stuff)

In May of 2007, El Rey de los Habanos/Tabacalera Cubana rolled 100 boxes of a limited release vitola in the Blue Label line, a lancero. These were sold by Puff ‘N’ Stuff, a shop in Atlanta, Ga. The 100 boxes of 20 cigars each were hand numbered and much like the Cabaiguan WCD 120, these were such a limited release stick and sold out so quickly when they actually were released that very few people even know they exist.

They were released again in 2008, this time with 150 boxes sold, but about 50 boxes from that release were sent back to El Rey de los Habanos and replaced because of draw issues.

At 6 7/8 x 42, the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Puff ‘N’ Stuff Lancero is not a true El Laguito No.2 that would be its brother in the Blue Label line, the Fundadores, which is exactly 7 1/2 x 38. However, José “Don Pepín” García supposedly wanted a way to distinguish the Puff ‘N’ Stuff vitola, and so he made it a bit shorter and bumped up the ring gauge.

According to various reports, when Puff ’N’ Stuff asked Pepín to make him the Blue Label Lancero for his shop, Pepín said that they were too thin for the regular Blue Label blend, so extra ligero was added and the ring gauge was increased. That makes this batch of the Blue Lanceros a very specific blend that can only be found in this release.

• Cigar Reviewed: Don Pepin Garcia Blue Lancero Puff ‘N’ Stuff Release
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Tabacalera Cubanas S.A.
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
• Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo
• Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo & Criollo
• Size: 6 7/8 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 42
• Vitola: Lancero
• MSRP: $10.75 (Boxes of 25, $268.75)
• Release Date: 2007 & 2008
• Number of Cigars Released: 250 boxes of 25 ( 6,250 cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 1

The cigar itself is extremely well-constructed, as most of Pepín’s cigars are. It has a medium brown wrapper with a few visible veins and smells strongly of chocolate and spices. It is very firm when squeezed, but not too firm. The pre-light draw tastes of a great sweet oak barrel, with some pepper.

The first third starts off with just the right amount of pepper—not overwhelming at all—along with flavors of oak and leather, there is also a great sweet undertone and just slight bit of spice on the tongue. Honestly, a great way to start a cigar.

The second third changes things up considerably, with flavors of toasted nuts and coffee all but replacing the notes in the first third. The pepper has died down a bit and replaced the sweetness, which has disappeared, as the undertone. There is still a wood note present, but it is not enough to really make much of an impact.

The final third changes things up again. The pepper increases a bit, but so does the sweetness, in fact, I taste an almost vanilla flavor along with chocolate and the every present wood note. It stays that way until the very end, and never once burned hot, all the way to the nub.

Final Notes:

• I have smoked quite a few of the DPG Blue Labels in my time, and this cigar beats all of them, hands down. There seemed to be a new combination of flavors every few puffs, that never got boring or predictable.
• The burn was flawless and the draw was great until about the last quarter, where it got just a bit tight, but nothing more than a slight annoyance.
• This cigar would go on to be offered in the Lanceros Collection by Don Pepin Garcia.
• Final Smoking Time was one hour and 40 minutes.