It's been far too long since I've had a Don Pepin Garcia masterpiece, whether under his own label, or made for another manufacturer. Friday, that changed when I finally got around to smoking his newest creation, the My Father Le Bijou 1922. I first put my sights on this fine looking Toro at the 2009 IPCPR show in New Orleans. It's made with a very rare Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper called Pelo de Oro (Golden Hair). This wrapper is rarely used any more, mostly because it is so prone to disease, most growers won't risk the damage to the rest of their stock. This wrapper has been most commonly used in pre-embargo Cuban cigars.
With that said, the Bijou was one of those treats that really makes me wonder why it took so long for me to try it. My first impression, as a comparison to another, was that this cigar was the closest I've found to the spicy pepper flavors found in the Opus X. Notes of cocoa layered with various levels of pepper, from slight to intense, and touches of creaminess mingled in. The draw was flawless throughout, although I did experience some slight burn issues about half way through. Much like the Opus X, in my experiences in the past, the last third to quarter of this cigar suddenly became difficult to keep lit. Fortunately, this issue didn't take away from the overall pleasantness of this wonderful cigar.
As I've found myself saying in the past "why did I wait so long to try this?" I will be much more apt to reach out and pick up that cigar that I haven't yet tried. After all, unless it's a $20 cigar, what's the worse that can happen? It's bad? So be it. So with that being said, I pledge to try the Rocky Patel 1961 line. I've seen it on the shelves, and have even bought one for a friend, but have never tried it myself. Stay tuned, as my next post WILL be for the 1961.
Happy smoking.
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