Don Pepín García Series JJ Salomon

Cigar ReviewAmerican CigarMy FatherDon Pepin GarciaSeries JJSalomonPerfecto

10 Jul

Written By Ray Prodanov

📌 Brand: Don Pepín García
📌 Line: Series JJ
📌 Size: Salomón (7 1/4" × 57)
📌 Weight: 19.6 g
📌 Age: 6 years
📌 Origin: USA

‍ ‍Tasting Notes

Cedar – Rich and aromatic foundation
Black Pepper – Signature Pepín spice with excellent balance
Dark Cocoa – Smooth sweetness through the middle
Leather – Deep, lingering finish

First Impressions

The Series JJ Salomón is an impressive-looking cigar with its elegant figurado shape and beautifully applied wrapper. It feels perfectly packed in hand with excellent weight and craftsmanship. Pre-light aromas reveal cedar, cocoa, leather, and freshly cracked black pepper. The cold draw is flawless, promising a classic Don Pepín García experience.

Smoking Experience

First Third – Opens with vibrant cedar and the unmistakable Don Pepín black pepper spice. The smoke is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced with excellent combustion.
Second Third – Dark cocoa and leather gradually emerge, creating a deeper, more complex profile while maintaining the signature Nicaraguan spice. The cigar remains smooth and beautifully refined.
Final Third – The body builds nicely, but the final section develops a slight bitterness that interrupts the otherwise excellent balance. Despite this, the cigar remains flavorful and satisfying until the finish.

Pairings

Alcohol – Santa Teresa 1796 Solera Rum (Venezuela) - Rich caramel, dried fruit, and gentle spice complement the cigar's cocoa and leather while softening the slight bitterness in the final third.
Tea – Aged Da Hong Pao Rock Oolong - Roasted minerality and subtle sweetness beautifully enhance the cigar's earthy, spicy character.

Music Pairing

“Texas Flood” – Stevie Ray Vaughan
Powerful, expressive, and beautifully controlled, just like the cigar's first two-thirds.

Final Thoughts

Don Pepín García Series JJ Salomón is a superb example of classic craftsmanship. Rich cedar, pepper, cocoa, and leather create a beautifully balanced and evolving profile, while flawless construction allows the blend to shine. Only a touch of bitterness in the closing stages prevents it from joining the very best.

Final Score: 9/10
Why not a 10?
A slight bitterness developed during the final third, interrupting an otherwise exceptional and beautifully balanced smoking experience.

Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.