Tyler, I will blaspheme and say that I sorta feel the same way about cubans. Every time I've lit one, it was with the anticipation of having my taste buds taken for a magic carpet ride, but I have always been disappointed. I think for both of us, it's just a matter of flavor profile preference. I like most Pepins, because I really like Nicaraguan tobacco. Your question is valid though, I get it.
[Reply]

I will continue to hold the torch for the Tat browns and La Riquezas because I think they're great, but compared to a nice Cuban?

they suck balls! :-)
[Reply]

i like the brown label tat especiale. that said, it's about the only DPG i've really like so far. great construction, *almost* cuban taste, but for almost the same price, gimme a monte especiale...

anyway, i'll take litto over don pepin, as a whole. but i like pepper bombs!
[Reply]

Everyone has their own taste. Try the 5 Vegas Gold. Mild and creamy. A great morning smoke.
[Reply]

This wasn't directly pointed to the OP, but more in general. It's all about personal preferences and being able to taste the flavors.

This is another fine example, I have gotten de full treatment of smoothness and delight of Cuban tobacco, but I still enjoy non Cuban tobacco just as much. Again, its all about personal preferences, I do like Cuban cigars but I also like a lot of Non Cubans.

Trust me, NC's relax me just as much as CC's, maybe even more because I get a lot less plugged cigars with NC's and a plugged cigar isn't relaxing me :-)

Weed and cigs, well, can't remember that, it's been 17 years since I smoked the last of both.
[Reply]

Indeed, and yet, not a DPG blend :-)
[Reply]

They are some of the best cigars when he first started. DPG blue, white, tats, miami, vegas cubana, etc. Always rolled well with a nice blend of strength and flavors. Just like any other next hot roller/blender who went big (RP, Camacho, etc), I think they are spreading themselves too thin.

I recently tried DPG blue again. It was not anywhere near the first release I smoked. Whilst the first release was well balanced, the current release strength overpowers the flavor (kind of like the Cain).
[Reply]

Thanks for the confession - that's a good anecdote to put it into perspective.
[Reply]

With cuban cigars to me, it's all about the aging. I have a half box of Upmann Corona Majors that have been sitting for more than 4 years, I bought them with 2 years age according to the box code, and also a 10 pack of newer ones from about a year ago - the older ones are obscenely better than the newer ones. I cannot even smoke the newer ones as a matter of fact, I get a very vegetal poignant acrid flavor of a young cigar.

Party shorts are the only habano I have been able to smoke fresh, and they are extremely tasty, but i still prefer the flavors profile of the Tatuaje Petites much more. Every Illusione cigar I have smoked has been relatively fresh, and always an enjoyable smoke with a heavy presentation of the flavor of certain spices instead of a spicy feeling, which to me is fantastic, and I would prefer most tats and Illusiones to most cubans I have smoked. It's just a matter of taste, as has been mentioned soooo many times before this... :-) :-)
[Reply]

When the Boogeyman goes to bed, he checks his closet for Don Pepin. :-)
[Reply]

Everywhere pepin steps, Hellfire erupts from the Earth. :-)

:-)
[Reply]

for a good bedtime smoke ...
[Reply]

The only DPG's I've smoked (all from the same sampler) are the :

Pepin 5 Vegas Miami-liked this one, a good value if $3.00
DPG Series JJ maduro-my favorite of this group, good burn, great flavor, would buy again.
DPG Blue label invictos-constant touch ups and went out once, like V Vegas Artisan's better
DPG Series JJ natural-wrapper dis-assembled, OK if it was $2.00 and would hold together, meh
DPG Black label Cuban Classic-lots of touch-ups, mediocre everything, double meh

It seems every time I try to go to a "higher plain" with my cigars, I get slapped back down. My experiences with the Oliva line are even worse:-)

WyoBob
[Reply]

:-) Well said Ronnie!
[Reply]

:-) Anyway.... as for not getting DPG smokes, then you just aren't supposed to. Its better to know that and admit rather than continually spending money and smoking stuff you don't actually like. I feel the exact same way about Fuente, and especially Camacho, but others love them. More for them.
[Reply]

I'm definately with Doug on this one.
[Reply]