The Montecristo brand is highly recognized in the cigar industry. In fact, the name itself sets a standard for quality, flavor, and consistency among the top manufacturers in the world. This famous brand began in Cuba and came to light in 1935. In old Cuba, it was commonplace for rollers to be entertained with readings from stories and books to break up what was typically a very long day. Once such story, The Count of Montecristo, was a favorite among factory workers and legend states that this particular story is what paved the way for the Montecristo brand.
Montecristo Media Noche is the first and only Montecristo currently in production utilizing a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper. This cigar is handmade in the Dominican Republic and provides a smooth and deliberate draw while creating a pleasant flavor, medium in body. It features a dark, Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper and tri-country filler which includes tobaccos from Nicaragua, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. This unique combination provides a complex bouquet of flavor with a slightly sweet finish. Upon lighting, notes of leather and earth grace the palate and then transition into a sweet, cocoa-like character that remains hearty but pleasant throughout the rest of the experience. The cigar slowly builds in strength with each puff but never shifts into a full body; it remains quite smooth and offers a long, enjoyable finish with a slight note of spice in the aftertaste.

Q: What is the difference between Connecticut and maduro wrappers?

A: I could spend days describing the differences between Connecticut and maduro wrappers, but for the sake of length, I'll keep this explanation as simple as possible. The majority of a cigar's flavor derives from its wrapper, which is why wrapper selection is important. True Connecticut wrappers are grown in the Connecticut River Valley, U.S.A. Usually, these leaves are "shade grown" as shading effectively filters the sunlight, allowing for a thinner, more elastic leaf to form. After curing, these leaves turn a great looking light brown and feature little veins for a smooth appearance. Since less sun reaches these leaves, they contain less nutrients, which creates a mellow, cedar-like flavor that is mild and non offensive. Macanudo, 5 Vegas Gold, and Cusano 18 Double Connecticut are great examples of blends utilizing this leaf.

In regard to maduro, technically the term refers to the process a tobacco leaf is put through to create a certain color and flavor, rather than the actual term for the leaf itself. Maduro means "ripe" in Spanish and is used to describe the amount of extra time needed to properly ferment a leaf to create a dark appearance with a specific flavor profile. Usually, maduro wrappers are dark brown and oily in appearance. In order to create maduro, the leaves must undergo fermentation at high temperatures of 130 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This process turns the leaves dark brown and allows them to expel a natural sweet flavor with a rich, earthy character many consider similar to cocoa or espresso. The longer each leaf is fermented, the darker, milder, and oilier each will become. Rocky Patel Double Maduro, Montecristo Media Noche, and 5 Vegas Series 'A' are great examples featuring maduro wrappers.

There are few Gurkha blends available for less than three dollars per cigar. In fact, with Gurkha known as the “Rolls Royce of Cigars,” it’s hard to imagine finding a Gurkha for less than five dollars, especially when considering the extravagant packaging and superior craftsmanship associated with the Gurkha name. However, Gurkha’s Park Avenue is an affordable, everyday cigar produced with the common enthusiast in mind.

The blend features premium Cuban-seed long leaf tobacco from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. These fillers are wrapped by a seamless, Ecuadorian grown Connecticut wrapper which creates a mild to medium-bodied experience that carries little in terms of spice and pepper but still offers a ton of great flavor. Gurkha’s Park Avenue releases hints of cashews with a leathery, cedar-like nuance that tickles the senses and creates a fantastic, light aroma. The smoke is thick, as this mild cigar is perfect everyday and highly recommended in the morning with a hot cup of coffee.

Torpedo (6.2" x 52) An enormous amount of smoke was created with the first couple of puffs, showcasing an easy draw and perfect burn. Cedar overwhelmed my nostrils, which was an excellent experience as the blend's complexities slowly build as the cigar burns. Notes of nuts are easily noticeable in the aftertaste, as the cigar burns cool. Although incredibly smooth and mild, this stick emits a ton of flavor with a hint of pepper in the finish. 89/100 [Buy Now]

Churchill (7" x 48) With a tight draw, this size lacked the smooth characteristics of the Torpedo's initial light. There was a difference in taste and a stronger finish, but still creates a great cedar-like aroma. The nutty nuances were masked by an earthy character creating a stronger flavor on the palate. Slightly more robust, this size is great for the medium to full-bodied enthusiast searching for a smooth, everday Gurkha. 87/100 [Buy Now]

Sol Cubano Series B - A Nicaraguan puro blend made with a combination of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan fillers, wrapped with a Nicaraguan binder which is then completed with a Nicaraguan Colorado wrapper.

Perdomo Reserve 10th Criollo - A spicy concoction of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos, impeccably rolled with a Cuban-seed Criollo wrapper. The combination produces peppery nuances but offers a tremendously smooth character featuring notes of coffee.

CuAvana Intenso - A departure from the mild blends that currently make up the CuAvana line; Intenso is an excellently blended, full-bodied powerhouse comparable to Oliva Serie V and Joya de Nicaragua.

Rocky Patel Fusion Segundos - This cigar wins the award for best value. Rocky Patel Fusion Segundos are the exact same blend as the popular Fusion Series, but are factory seconds (due to small wrapper blemishes) that are sent to Cigar.com to offer to our customers at a special price.

2/18/09: Tim and Kim invite their associate Jim on the show to roll some cigars. Ok, his name is actually Josh, but how weird would that be if his name was Jim? Anywho, tune in to see how an Americano fares in his attempts to create the small miracles we know as cigars. (It will be a miracle if he can make a smokable stogie, that's for sure.) [Listen Now]

Cigar.com (CC): When you left Cuba and moved to the United States did you have intentions to stay involved in the cigar industry, or where you considering other options?

Don Pepin Garcia (DPG): I have always had thoughts in my mind about the cigar business because it is what I have done all my life. I have been working in the cigar industry since I was 11 years old. My intentions were to stay involved.

CC: After opening your Miami factory, did you ever envision the level of success you currently maintain?

DPG: No, not really. I started at a difficult time because the famous “boom” had already disappeared. Most of the factories had moved to Central America and no one knew about me. Many of my friends thought I was crazy. We started with Tatuaje and Don Pepin Blue. It was not easy, but obviously worthwhile for Pete Johnson and myself.

CC: Who have been people in the cigar industry, in Cuba or outside, who you consider a mentor or someone who taught you a great deal about cigars?

DPG: While in Cuba, my uncle was my mentor. This year, he will be 100 years old. His name is Mr. Ventura Miel; he taught me his secrets and the best tips anyone could gather about cigar production. In the end, everything I learned from him has helped me in my business. Mr. Pedro Martin, in the United States, is the person that mentored me here, provided advice and helped me become successful in the current market. For that, I am eternally grateful.

CC: You make a wide array of highly rated brands, what are a few of your favorites? What qualities do you personally enjoy in a good cigar?

DPG: I do not want to upset anyone. All of the blends we manufactured are of the same consistancy, quality and were created with equal passion. Obviously, I have some favorites: My Father, Don Pepin Blue, 5 Vegas Miami and La Aroma de Cuba Special Edition. The qualities I most enjoy in a cigar are aromas, strengths and the way cigars burn with excellent construction.

CC: Recently your family opened a new facility in Nicaragua, what does this facility mean for the future of your cigars?

DPG: This is our own facility. It is a dream come true to see all of our projects come to fruition; this is like your first newborn child. Under one roof you’ll find a cigar factory, box factory and the pre-industry. At this facility we can see our kids grow; which, in this case, are the blends and the cigars we manufacture.

CC: There are so many elements involved with premium cigar production. What is your favorite part of the process and why?

DPG: Definitively rolling. Here you see the final results. It is where the entire process is completed. Remember, I was a blender and roller all my life in Cuba; this is my passion.

CC: You work closely with your son and daughter. What is it like getting to work along side family everyday?

DPG: The confidence and faith you are working within is simply unquestionable, because of the love and passion they share with me. They are not in it just for the money. Knowing I give my family all of my knowledge and experience sharing the things I love in life, and knowing they share my passion is beyond words.

CC: Your son blended My Father in your honor last year and it was well received. Did you know he was doing this or was it a surprise?

DPG: My Father was a very emotional surprise. Imagine - this was the first time I did not participate in a blend. I was very impressed with my son after tasting his cigar. It proved he has learned well; I am leaving an excellent legacy with him. We are working hard but this hard work pays off.

CC: Can you tell us about any new projects you are releasing this year? Can we expect any new lines from your factory?

DPG: We have a few new projects on the table but at this time I cannot discuss details since they will be a special surprise to many. Presently, we are concentrating on the development of our current blends as well as our excellent brands for our customers.

CC: Where do you see your operation five years from now? What do you hope to accomplish?

DPG: We see ourselves working very hard. We would like to expand more into International markets, bringing new ideas to the table while maintaining the same quality and consistancy we are accustomed to. We want to work on perfecting everything we currently already have. I am looking forward to working many more years; I am still a young man. I would like to see my grandkids follow my same footsteps, to have the same dedication and passion as the rest of the family.

CC: Pepin, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Is there anything you would like to say to our readers before we conclude this interview?

DPG: I would like to thank you for this time. Also, thank you for this opportunity and for believing in me even though I am one of the last master blenders to join the industry, especially at this difficult time with smoking bans and new taxes. We have worked incredibly hard to present cigars to enthusiasts offering unique flavors and aromas. I promise you we will always give you our best and again, I would like to thank our customers for making this dream come true.