Wow! Check out the babbling idiot in the video! Like I promised, I’m back! I forgot how awkward it is to talk to a camera. This will definitely take another video or two before I’m back into the swing of things. I was a bit uncomfortable in my new studio.
Anyway, it was some time ago that I reviewed the Green Label from the CI Legends Series which is produced by Puros Indios. This time around I bring you the Yellow Label that is produced by one of my favorite cigar manufacturers (second only to my man Rocky Patel) and that’s Don Pepin Garcia. Pepin Garcia has had the hot hand for awhile now and two of his cigars (Tatuaje Series P and Series JJ) are two of my favorite sticks at the moment.
The Yellow Label, like all the labels in the CI Legends Series comes to us at 5.75” x 54 in size and features a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper that’s triple capped and the binder and filler are also from Nicaragua. Box of 20 will run you about $70 and comes with a free CI Legends ashtray. Five packs can be had for about $25. These are exclusively sold through Cigars International.
I have to say that the appearance of the Yellow Label fits right in with Garcia’s other lines. By that I mean they aren’t much to look at with their numerous veins and overall rough appearance. Looks can be deceiving as the appearance doesn’t bother me since I know Garcia’s cigars may look rough but always taste smooth and burn pretty well. In fact, I found that these burned a lot more even that the Series P.
Once you spark up, you’re greeted with a high concentration, but not overwhelming, peppery flavor. I wasn’t prepared for this and you can see a little cough by me in the video. Cut me a little slack. I’ve gone from 2-3 cigars a day to 1-2 (if I’m lucky) a week. So the stamina just isn’t there anymore. The initial concentration of peppery flavor really had me worried. Did I bite off more than I can chew? Should I have returned by smoking something a little milder?
Fear not, after I smoked an inch or two in, the peppery flavors started to mellow out to a very smooth, creamy and earthy flavors. I want to say a little bit of woodsy too, almost cedar like, but I think that could be my out of shape taste buds talking.
The Yellow Label didn’t have that “Cuban Like” taste to it that you get with Pepin Garcia’s other blends. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is that’s missing but something is. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing either. I loved how the Yellow Label started out with a bang to grab your attention and then mellowed out to a relaxing smoke, far superior to my Green Label experience.
Video runs a little over 15 minutes, ignore my goofy 3…2…1 I forgot to edit out. Also, I babble a lot…which label from the CI Legends Series should I try next?
Jerry Jerry Jerry! Welcome back my friend. That cut when you swore and started segment 2 over was freakin funny! Easy back into smoking, we don’t need you down for the count! Thanks for the kind words! I had a blast on the site!
Jerry! You are the best man! Great review with tons of entertainment value. Loved all the “bloopers”! Another instant classic.
Jerry! great to have you back!
Haha I loved the review man, keep up the good work.
And I know you get back into the swing of things!
🙂
Great to see you back again Jerry! The “bloopers” were absolutely hilarious! Anyhow, great review as always! I’m sure your video skills will come back as always. It’s just like riding a bike, you never forget!
Thanks guys! Its truly great to be back. I left the bloopers in to keep it real. Plus I know what I lack in cigar skill I have to make up with my good lucks and sense of humor. 🙂
Seriously guys, thanks for kind words.
Classic!!! having kids I understand the “fear” of the dirty diaper!!
Check out the Camacho White Label. I think it’s a good smoke
Great to have you back man …. a little rust but that’s to be expected. You’ll be in full swing in no time.
Wow! So great to see you again. This will certainly go down as a classic in the SR library. I loved everything about the review. I haven’t laughed out loud in front of a computer in quite a while and I did at least 3 different times in the last 15 minutes.
My favorite part about watching a DVD at home is watching the gag reel after the movie is over. I love having the gag reel in your reviews…
Jerry, it is awesome to see you back. Can’t say it enough.
Walt, Brian T, and Brian H – can’t wait to see more from all of you, too!
Welcome back! Kids can kill that cigar habit. Somehow though I’m smoking almost three a day.
Jerry, It’s good to see I’m not the only one suffering from a lack of smoking! It definitely takes a while to get back in the game after having a newborn. Good Luck!
nice review, i havent been impressed with the CI legends series at all, but love Pepins cigars, so i might have to try this one. I saw that the guy Rafe suggested the white label, and i totally have to disagree with that one, haha. i lit up one up last night, and after 2 minutes i pitched it. To me it was totally unsmokeable. We all have our personal preferences, but to me that was one horrid cigar.
lol @ Jerry afraid of his own backyard! AND trying to turn his OWN MOTHER into a day laborer! SMH!!!!
I’ll be camping this weekend so I’ll be smoking the wild [sarcasm on] too [sarcasm off]……..
I’m bringin along my friends: Mr. H. Upmann, Mr. Padron, and Mr. Glenlevit along for the party.
Great review Jerry!! Welcome back. And more importantly, welcome to the “Smoking in the Back Yard” club. It’s a great place to get bad burns, smoke in your face and insects trying to eat you 🙂
And the ash dropping just as you were closing ahahaha. Holy cow, talk about bad luck but good stuff!! At least in the back yard you can just fling the ash to the ground as great fertilizer.
I suspect the CI Legend cigars have a lot of short filler to ge them up to the 54 ring guage at that price point. The Orange ashed short and I spent the first 10 min of smoking them spitting tabacco pieces out of my mouth. But it’s a great cigar so what the heck.
Congrats on being a Dad to. Guess all that practice you and your wife were doing paid off.
Dave
Welcome back Jerry!
Welcome back, Jerry. Hilarious review. I’m a big fan of the Yellow Label as well. I like the idea of SR reviewing each of the Legends Series. Like a couple of other posters, I’d be curious to see what you think of the White Label from Camacho. It has a rather unique flavor profile (extraordinarily earthy to my palate), but I dig ’em. Then again, I kinda like the Te Amo Ann’y, so I clearly can’t be trusted.
Great review and welcome back Jerry. I like the change of venue and the bloopers added some comic relief. You should definetly put together a segment with nothing but bloopers from all you guys.
Matt – I have a feeling there will be a lot more bloopers now that I’m recording outside and recording directly to tape (as opposed to just a direct capture from camcorder to computer).
Its great to be back!
check out the red label, made by perdomo, it is the only one of the legend series with a different shape. I have a few resting right now and would love to hear what you guys think of them.
If you are still looking for another one to try, one of my favorites is the Black Label which is made by La Aurora. It’s great!
Ahh, just finished my first Yellow label that I got in a cbid DP sampler. Was pretty impressed!!! Burned well and good peppery flavors. Not bad at all!!!!
these are pretty good, nice review!
I’m about half way through a yellow label. I agree with the pepper flavor, but it’s pretty mild. The stick is burning perfectly except the ash is a little flaky, not holding very well. Second stick of the day so that might lead too it being a little milder tasting. The first stick was a Padilla habano. I;m a huge Pepin fan and this is a nice stick for the price.
I found the Copper Label (Drew Estates) to be a much better puff – even with the tip sweetened. But the Yellow Label was not all that bad. I personally tasted Cedar towards the middle and some bitterness toward the end.