I was very interested in this cigar when I first heard about it...

The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial is a new cigar blended entirely by (obviously) Jaime Garcia, son of cigar legend José "Pepin" Garcia, and was debuted at a event at at the Cigar Inn in New York City on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Only 100 boxes were available at the event, and it will be a limited cigar when released in the Spring of 2010, and will be packaged in boxes of ten with an MSRP of about $250.

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* Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf (6 years old)
* Binder: Ecuadoran
* Filler: Nicaragua
* Size: 6 Inches
* Ring Gauge: 56
* Shape: Toro-ish
* Est. Price: $25
* Date to be Released: Spring 2010

The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial is a gorgeous looking cigar, with a dark brown wrapper that smelled of chocolate, cinnamon and tobacco. It has a fairly rough looking wrapper, (with a few bumps here and there, it looks almost Leathery) and very little oil at all...It is also very spongy when squeezed (has quite a bit of "give")...

Immediately after lighting and taking a few puffs, I was greeted with a combination of flavors: Black pepper, leather and a Strong dark chocolate (almost, but not quite, bitter chocolate) with just a touch of coffee...the four of these in combination was a very nice way to start a cigar...

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The second third of the cigar started out much the same (or rather, stayed the same), but right around the middle of the 2nd third, I noticed that there was much more of a Sweet flavor that had creeped in, perhaps as if the chocolate (that was still very present) had gone from a Dark chocolate flavor to more of a sweeter milk chocolate flavor, if that makes any sense...there was also just a bit of spice I noticed on the back of my tongue...

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The last third had much of the same flavors, but I also tasted the distinct flavor of cinnamon, and the chocolate was almost replaced by a strong coffee flavor...I was easily able to nub it, and it never got hot at the end...

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Final Notes:

* Although there was some pepper and (a bit) of spice present during the smoke, this cigar never rises above the "Medium" level...
* The Wrapper seemed to be where the pepper and spice was present, and the filler seemed to be quite a bit more mild...
* If this cigar is released in different sizes, I would love to try it in more of a Corona Gorda (or even a lancero!), which I think would combine what this cigar has to offer in the best ratios to really make it shine...
* The Burn was great for the whole stick, but the draw was a bit loose (which is not unusual for a cigar with a large Ring Gauge)...
* Final Smoking Time was 1 hour and 50 Minutes...

The Bottom Line: I really enjoyed the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial for what it was, a medium strength smoke with a great combination of flavors...I wish there was just a bit more pepper or spice in the smoke (and I hope it is released in different vitolas), as I think that would really help the flavors that were present shine a bit more...The biggest problem this cigar is going to have is it's (projected) price...at $25 per cigar, it will be going up against some Huge players in the market (most notably Padron), and I am not sure it has the "Total Package" nailed down to beat them...

Final Score: 90

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Great review.:-)
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$25????

Wow - I think that would be the most expensive Pepin yet. Hopefully they change their mind and make it in the $10-15 range.
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Good review! I also wish they would stop making these jawbreakers. Price doesn't bother me as much as the large rg.
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Maybe this time his dad won't step in and make a better version. Jk

nice review and pictures. from the pictures, the cigar does not look very nice, but im sure it smokes well. thanks for the review.
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thanks for the review!
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Great review. I love your photography.
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great review. The price tag is prohibitive though. can get some great cubans at that price.
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Thanks for the review. Agree on the price, would be nice if it was a bit more accessible.
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Thanks for the review! :-)
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Great review Brooks, as always.....sounds like one tasty stick!
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Great review Brooks! Look forward to putting one of these to fire pending price! :-)
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That sounds like a flavor profile that I would love, but I have a real hard time dropping $25 on any cigar.
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Great review. I might have to try to get a hold of one-for less than $25.
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LOL, it already exists, it's called the DPG Blue. :-)
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Great review! At $25 though I'm out. I really enjoy Pepin blends but I don't think anything they have would be worth $25 and have a hard time thinking this one would be worth it.
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Great review and pic's Brooksey....of course I have grown to expect that from you my brother!
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Doh! *lol* No you didn't! So Old Jose is known for one-upping his sons huh?!?

Great Review as always Brooks! :-)


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come-on greg man up and smoke a man size cigar :-)
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