Today was Wharf Wednesday and I decided to try something I haven't had before.  So what did I choose?  A miniscule My Father selection.  I love Don Pepin's cigars so I just had a feeling about this one....and boy did I pick a good one!  I am typically leery of smaller cigars so a petite robusto in this case is a big step for me.  Enough babble....Let's see how this cigar smokes....

Construction: The Don Pepin Le Bijou 1922 Petite Robusto is a pretty little cigar.  Really...little...the size of two wooden matches.  A nice pale chocolate brown wrapper with only a few small veins covers this baby.  I noticed it was also fairly heavy for something so small.  The foot also had a nice open look to it - surely the hallmark of a nice open draw.  Let's see....

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: After pulling it from the cellophane, I noticed a sweet tobacco aroma and not much in the way of grassy or hay-like smells some cigars offer before lighting.  The draw?  Spot on.  Open but not so open that this would be a lightning fast smoke.  Expectations were high.

Light and Burn: The little guy blazed up easily and developed a nice even burn with light gray ash.  I did get a small hot spot where the wrapper leaf burned quicker in one area than the surrounding leaf, but a couple of stabs with my trusty jet lighter and some well applied spit evened it out before it got away from me.  Overall, a nice performing cigar even in the breeze of my backyard.

Tasting: Here is where this cigar really shocked me.  I was expecting a good smoke - this being a Don Pepin creation - but I was not expecting the richness of the flavors.  Heavy tobacco, earth, and spice....and I mean heavy.  The flavors coated my mouth and gave me the feeling of a steak dinner with a loaded baked potato.  I mean it didn't taste like that....just made me think of that kind of richness.  The Bijou also was an exceptionally smooth cigar.  I am totally sold on this brand.

Value: At around $7 for a petite robusto, the Don Pepin Le Bijou 1922 Petite Robusto is on my list of quick smokes - way better than a Short Story and not too painful on the wallet.

Final Thoughts: I have found my new " short smoke" cigar.  I didn't time it with a stop-watch or anything but it lasted about 30 minutes or so.  I continue to enjoy the heck out of Don Pepin's cigars.  Highly recommended.

Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Strength: Full

Size: 4.5x50