Why are they so popular?

I'll try to answer this one without getting into taste, just some general observations. They're very well constructed. I've only ever run into 3 plugged Pepin-made cigars. A lot of them are reasonably priced, and there is a good price range for all folks from Fumadore and LHO to Tatuaje Brown. There's a large selection of Pepin made smokes now, all of good to high quality, to choose from. The man, at least with his cigars like the DPG and My Father line, lets them sell on their own, no gimmicks like Pete Johnson or Fuente (sorry just had to take that dig). Overall it's a high quality cigar for a good price.
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Well considering DPG was a Master Cuban Roller and blender and is Cuban I would think that is a start to being "Cubanuesq"(spelling) as they come. I'm a Tat fan and DPQ whore as well. Having said that I smoke a ton of other stuff as well. Best example of changing spice bomb to pure doctor pepper creaminess after a year is a La Ricky in any size.
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Exactly. The first few DPG's I smoked almost brought me to my knees immediately, but I stuck with them 'cause I didn't want to be a wuss, and lo and behold they did mellow and I was rewarded. Now I've found that after these cigars have a little age on them they are much more mellow and refined. And good. I really like a lot of his stuff now and was definitely one that didn't think I was going to.

Matter of fact, I think an aged Cuban Classic is his best cigar.
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I do get Don Pepin Garcia....well that's my significant contribution to this thread....thanks for reading.
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I'm not a blanket Pepin fan either... a few of my local smoking buddies are total Pepin hos.

One of my favorites from him is the Tabacos Baez. The first 1/2" or so is peppery but it mellows to a nice medium body with a lot of flavor. I don't have to have a cigar that is always in your face with power, I'm not a fan of pepper in cigars, but I do like a lot of flavor and from DPG I think the Tabacos Baez is a winner.
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I tend to like Pepin stuff but for the reason I like them you may not. As Tom said. "different strokes..."
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Superman wears Don Pepin pajamas....
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I don't like all of Pepin's stuff, but last night I lit up a Tatuaje Havana VI red label and enjoyed it very much. There are some Pepin smokes I can definetly do without though, and not be sad.
Scott
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I think that the San Cristobal made by him for Ashton are darned tasty and a little lighter on the pepper than the rest of his stuff.
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I agree on both counts. :-)
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See, I love lots of Pepin stuff.
Don't like Pete Johnson's stuff.
I like about half of Litto Gomez's stuff and Most Fuente stuff.
DPG JJ Maduros are one of my absolute favorites, but they need about 8 months to get good.

You're allowed not to like Pepin stuff. It's okay. :-)
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I would have to say the DPG Cuban Classic is one of my favorite cigars. I like the tats and SC's and other stuff i've tried.. but the Cuban Classic is my fav so far... of course i haven't had a DPG Blue.. out of everything i've tried /doh... but yeah :-)
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Good discussion guys. Thanks for letting me stir the pot a little :-)
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For me Pepins fall into two categories:

1. flavorful and spicy as hell

2. bland and spicy as hell.
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it seems so. I had a 88 and i liked it very much although i cant seems to find any of them here for the life of me :-)
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I went through a Pepin stage. With most of my stages, I initially don't really like the smokes. I thought Pepin was spice with not much substance. After smoking a few, and then going back to whatever was my typical smoke, I found myself searching for a bit more pepper in my smokes. I began smoking Pepins from the Brown labels to the Cuban Classics to pretty much anything else.

After hitting the Cuban Slope, I began nose exhaling more frequently and moved away from Pepins.
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You don't like Pepins and I don't like Padrons . It's cool . Smoke what you like and like what you smoke . :-)
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My opinion towards Pepin changed only recently when I bought a Fuente on a whim. I hadn't smoked one in a while and it was a nice reminder that it is possible to make a NC that's full flavored and smooth as well.
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I like alot of his stuff, I am on a Blue kick nowadays and I would put the Cojonus up against most NC sticks, well those are special sticks.

As far as getting the man, he has created a market and taken it to some extremes to develop the market even more. They are quality sticks and can be had at decent prices.
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I feel you, I really liked the first DPG I had, a Blue, and thought he was a gift from God, but as I've sampled a wider variety of his cigars I've found that not all Pepins are created equal. I love the Cabaiguans and DPG Blues, and I like the San Cristobals, Tat Red and Brown in the smaller ring gauges, but I didn't really like any of the 601, Vegas Cubanas or El Rey de Los Habanos I have tried. For my money though, I think Illusione has surpassed Pepin/Johnson stuff as my favorite NC smoke. Give the cg4 a try if you want a delicious cigar that has something that has a nice flavor profile that isn't overwhelming, but is completely different from your Habanos.
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