Size: 6 x 48 (Toro)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder and Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Strength: High Medium to Full
Price: About $6.75 a piece

Behind The Stick:

This is another line by the famous Don Pepin Garcia and although Americas initially look at this brand as ‘Five Vegas’ it is actually pronounced Cinco Vegas (I was corrected in public haha) and has been quite the rage since they started going into production. I attempted to locate more information about this blend, and although Don Pepin himself has had quite a history (more can be found in my review of the Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic) this blend does not seem to have the deep history his other blends do. This does not detract from the cigar, but I always enjoy hearing about the specific blends and how they came to be.

I was able to locate that the Miami edition has been toted as the most elusive blend within the entire 5 Vegas portfolio since it is hand made from 1st generation Cuban-seed grown in Nicaragua. The Long leaf tobacco that is used in this blend has been aged a bit longer than some of their other blends to provide a higher quality and overall more balanced taste. I wonder if this great looking stick will live up to the hype that this is their most elusive and perhaps best blend.

Taken in part from the 5 Vegas website
“A Cuban-esque bouquet of earth and leather mingle with notes of toasted oak, supported by a spicy finish. Full-bodied in character, but exceedingly smooth and balanced from first light down to the satisfying nub. Experience 5 Vegas Miami.”

Construction:

I have been a big fan of Don Pepin for years, and although his blends are always great, the construction on some of these leave me with a bit more to be desired. The bands usually stick (not terrible but still rough) and the packing is never ‘horrible’ but always give me a fear of a soft spot or a bad burn. I was able to try a few and when it comes to the band, the same issues are present on the Miami. The burn on the other hand was perfect, which really allowed me to focus on the other aspects of the smoke. The wrapper is very attractive with a few veins and a good amount of tooth – these aspects really set this one off right with a seemingly nice rustic type feel.

Flavor:

Not a lot going on here – I’m sorry Don Pepin but this was not your ‘wow cigar’ I had expected when I read it was listed as their most elusive blend. I guess hard to find does not always mean it is supposed to be great! This was not a bad tasting blend so please do not take it the wrong way, but this was no Cuban Classic. Wood, earth, leather… Mild bitterness and a good Pepin kick of spice – As I said before this is not ‘bad’ but not quite what I was expecting from the master. The flavor itself, close to being flat, did not have to complexity or change in flavors, that most of us have grown accustomed to when we hear the name Don Pepin.

Overall:

I would go out and grab a 3 pack if I were you, perhaps these cigars will hit you with a bit more of an oomph than they did me or perhaps I need to age them a bit longer, but I would not run out and purchase a box of these. I could see having these when doing yard work or as a ‘filler cigar’ after lunch or during some down time in between your more ‘desired smokes’ but these are not going to be the “go to celebration cigars”. The price is iffy, at just under $7.00 a cigar I feel I should be getting more bang for my buck but they are not too huge of a strain on the wallet. Would I smoke these, of course there is no reason not to – but at the same time I would not grab any more than a 3 pack at a time.

Every Cigar Has A Story, Every Smoke A Memory

As most of you have seen, I recently acquired an advertiser, Cigars Direct and they have a spot located on the right hand side, who has been gracious enough to include me in their Cigar Of the Month club in which they send you 5 cigars each month as a sampler of different areas or types or brands. Included in this months ‘Dominican Republic Sampler’ included a 5 Vegas Relic, La Aurora E Leon Maduro, Fonseca Habana Selection, Aurora 1495 and the Rocky Patel Puro Cubano.

As well, now that I had a chance to let them rest and was about to fire one up for a review, I find another package on my door step, this time with another set of 5 cigars, but this time all of them were Perdomo’s – hell yes! The Champagne, Habano, Lot 23, Patriarch and Gran Cru.

Again thank you so much Cigars Direct, I can’t wait to get these set up for review. This is only my second sampler coming in from them but you can already tell that the $29.99 a month (free shipping) is well paid for in the selection they send you. This is the first cigar of the month club I have ever been a part of, but one of the fun parts of this is that I really have no idea what I am getting until it shows up on my doorstep, awesome – and to everyone else be sure to sign up as well, you’ll be getting the same cigars I do each month!