Here is illinoishoosier's review corner volume 2.

Unfortunately, I have been fighting a bit of a head cold, and I think it muted the flavors tonight.

Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1979
5x50
Wrapper: corojo
Filler: Nicaragua

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Appearance is very nice, small veins. Foot has small tear, should not be a problem. Pre light aroma is very nice earthy spice. Lit easily. Initial aroma is a sweet, nutty spice. Burn has started a little uneven and there is a decent amount of smoke.


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5 minutes in and the burn has evened up. The ash is light gray and flaky, just a nice leather flavor here.

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10 minutes in and the wrapper has started to split. I have had this problem before with this stick. Thought they may be overhumidified, but this one has been in a 60% box for almost a week. The ash is REAL flaky at this point, already had to tap it off. Flavor is still leather, with a little spice coming in.

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20 minutes and the flavor is a nice mellow leathery spice. Not as much smoke at this point. The aroma while resting in my mouth while I type my notes is a sweet spice...licorice!

Hit the 30 mminute mark and the flaky ash is really annoying at this point. Burn has also started to tunnel. Glavor is still good, just got a couple of puffs of cocoa.

Ten minutes later and no flavor change. Ash is flaking everywhere. With each move and draw, I end up with a nice ash shower all over my keyboard and shirt.

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50 minutes and still consistent leathery spice flavor. I think the head congestion is definitely affecting the flavor of this stick. The amount of smoke has picked up though!

And I let it die here after an hour...
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Flavors were very muted, definitely from the head cold. Had been resting a year and my experience has been that these get nice and mellow after that time.

Because of the flaky ash and burn issues, this one gets a 3 illinoishoosiers out of 5
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Nice review!

You definitely need to smoke another one of these when you have your taste buds back in full force. These are one of my favorite cigars. :-)
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I've smoked quite a few of these and they are definitley at the top of my smoke list.

Ugh, I hate head colds.:-)
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I enjoyed this DPG. It was not complex and stayed pretty much the same throughout the burn until the nub where it got a bit more spicy. Overall I didn't have nearly as bad of ash issues as posted in the review, but I wouldn't say it had a great ash either. Overall this would be a smoke I would definately have again.

Thanks for the review!
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Def smoke another one, I have had a few split so your not alone on that aspect. Tremendous smokes, I like the 77 better, but I am leaning towards the smaller RG lately!
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These are tasty indeed. I too recommend another visit after the cold leaves.
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Had one yesterday and it was :-)
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Wow, three year's back from the dead!:-)

I have smoked many more of these and can say they definitely mellow out after a couple of years. Not as peppery or harsh as they are fresh. My stash of these now has almost 4 years on them and they are tasty.
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The DPG 1979 is still one of my favorites and as you pointed out they age very well.
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Nice review, Don Pepin makes great cigars!
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