I had the ''new" Nestor by Pepin tonight. I never had the previous one. It was a really nice smoke, and had the classic DPG profile. I have been smoking smaller ring gauges recently (thanks to Pepin &CC's), so I really enjoyed the nice thicker ring gauge and cool smoke. Nothing was lost, as the peppery-ness was pleasant as it transfered into a nice bold smoke with nice flavor throughout. It was the smaller of the robusto/toro sizes yet probably 5.5X54 habano oscuro. Great cigar for the $. Similiar, though not as strong as 601 Green, which I love.

They have been pretty popular around my B&M (esp. because most of the guys like the large ring gauge (& Pepin smokes for under $10))
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Sounds delicious! Thanks!

Greg
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Thanks for the review! Just saw these at the B&M last week and I guess I'll have to pick some up
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little background...

Pepin Garcia Re-blends Nestor Miranda Special Selection Cigars

Miami, FL - Nestor Miranda, President of Miami Cigar & Company and Jaime Garcia, President of Tabacalera Garcia in Esteli, Nicaragua announced that Pepin Garcia has re-blended the Nestor Miranda Special Selection line of cigars. Henceforth, the cigars will be manufactured at Tabacalera Garcia.

The eponymous cigar line is produced in the following sizes:
• 5½" x 54
• 6" x 60
• 7½: x 40 (Lancero)
• 4½" x 50
The cigars will be presented in boxes of twenty, with the exception of The Lancero, which will be available in boxes of twenty five cigars.

"Our Nestor Miranda Special Selection is the first new line of cigars to be produced at Tabacalera Garcia," said Rene J. Castaneda, National Sales Manager of Miami Cigar & Company. "The blend will be available in two wrappers: a medium-bodied Nicaraguan Habano Rosado, and a full-bodied Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro. And for the first time, Don Pepin decided to use Dominican tobacco into the filler to be true to Nestor's roots in the cigar business."

"I'm sure our smokers will be even more pleased with this revised blend, even considering the tremendous following developed by the original blend," said Nestor Miranda.

The newly blended cigars will begin shipping November 1, 2008.
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Nice review.

How would one know if he was getting the older blend vs. the new DPG blend? Is there a different packaging/label?
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Look on the box, it says Tabacalera Garcia, both on the bottom of the box and on the bottom of the front it is burned in...
also the price is $1 more and you can tell by the DPG signature spice... :-) though I never had the original.
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Stocked up on the Lanceros of the original blend when I first heard of the change over, medium strength and a very rich smoke. Looking forward to trying the new blend.
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