First, a little story. I have known Benji for some time now. We have met at several events, dinners, shows, expos and even once had a long conversation in an airport. Benji was a guest on my radio show a number of times and we always appreciated his willingness to come on and talk about cigars and the lifestyle, he is one of the most affable people you could ever meet, plus he always complimented me on my fluent Spanish (I am far from fluent and I think he knew that, but he appreciated that I could converse with him in his own language). Sixty two years in the industry is an incredible achievement and I can't say enough about what guys like this mean to the industry. I can only hope the cigar is an actual homage.
The smoke presents well. I always like a cigar wrapped in white tissue, I am not sure what it is about that particular presentation, but I like it. The band work is elaborate and full of glitz and glam. We all know I am not a fan of all the hoi polloi, but hell this is an homage right? The wrapper is on the dark side of a medium shade of brown and it has some veining, but I can't see any reason it will be an issue. There are some nice oils here as well and I am anticipating a nice experience. The bunch looks good and feels appropriately spongy without being wet. The pre light aroma has some hints of spice and grass. The pre light draw shows some peppery notes.
The cigar opens with a profile that could be best described as underwhelming, I am upset by this, the career of one of the greats should be celebrated with an opus of flavor, a crescendo of emotion, fanfare, trumpets and...well you get the idea. This is like a wet newspaper landing with a dull thud in the driveway on a holiday, you know full of hype but then ten thousand circulars come out and the only news is about some Hollywood starlet with a needle in her arm. The profile is overtly peppery and there is nothing to balance out this in your face presentation of power. Without secondary flavors the palate becomes overwhelmed with pepper and starts to scream for something else. At the back of the palate and through the nose the profile is papery and thin, I need something more robust or sweet to balance out all the pepper in the front of the smoke. The burn is very solid from the start, but I detect a run starting about a half inch into the smoke. The draw is smooth.
The first half of the smoke remains horrifically one dimensional, like many of the college girlfriends I had, they deliver one thing and one thing only (usually vomit in my bathroom, before telling you they will go no further). I keep wanting this cigar to go further, but it won't, and for the record vomit in the bathroom may not be out of the question. The core profile is still booming out pepper flavors, and some other bitter putrescence that I can't put my finger on at this moment. The back of the palate and the nose, good lord the poor nose, are being subjected to notes of burning cardboard and grass. The cigar has now ruptured from the earlier run and the whole thing is about to get chucked, much like my old college girlfriends. The draw is still smooth, but I wish it would plug, or explode in my face, or grow teeth and eat my head.
The final half of the cigar was really just a formality in pursuing futility. The profile never changes, and actually becomes worse, yes worse! There are some flavors here that I can't quite place, but a mouthful of nickels drizzled with Boric Acid might be closest. The back of the palate is equally horrid and I am not sure I have anymore adjectives to hammer away at this smoke. The burn never recovers and the draw unfortunately was great to the end.
The finish was glorious, because I was done. The flavors were terrible.
All in all I can't believe that this is an homage to a legend.
Appearance- 91 the best part about this, if you have some take them out and look at them then smoke something else
Taste- 70 nothing worth commenting on
Construction- 83 the draw saved this...barely
Strength- 85 medium I think
Overall- 80.25
Showing posts with label Partagas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Partagas. Show all posts
Monday, February 3, 2014
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Partagas Lusitania (7.625x49) (Box Date 2001)
I have a special reserve of smokes that comes out on holidays, birthdays, special sporting events etc... Sunday was Easter, and after a morning round of golf and a day spent by the pool with the family I made a large dinner of ribeye, grilled vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. It is during the after dinner hours during a special day that I most enjoy a nice quiet cigar out on my lanai, the added bonus was a White Sox game on ESPN during my alone time. As I scoped out the special reserve section of my humidor it struck me that I would need a long smoke, a smoke that could get me through the better part of a long baseball game. This Lusi was just sitting there, quietly biding it's time, being unobtrusive. My initial shock wore off, I didn't think I had any old ones left, I do have many newer ones, and I grabbed it and basically ran for the lanai with nary a word to the rest of my family.
I have always thought that this cigar is chivalrous in appearance and it always makes me feel like a dignified aristocrat when I hold one and ponder what it is offering as the lazy smoke drifts above my head. The cigar just screams majesty as I look it over. The wrapper is beautiful, without a single flaw. Even the veining makes the cigar seem wizened, like a Great Grandfather that has aged well. I envision an old Cuban Grandfather teaching his grandson about the leaf, the bunch, the rolling and the history of the glorified tradition. I inspect the roll and the bunch and I can't find a single problem, very rare for a Habano in recent times. The pre light aroma is of leather, cinnamon and light tobacco. The pre light draw shows a tantalizingly delicate array of subtle flavors including; cinnamon, leather, tobacco and some floral sweetness.
This cigar opens with a profile that ranks amongst the best that I have ever experienced. There are booming notes of leather and wood, a Partagas hallmark in my opinion, these flavors are the early stars of the show. There are also cinnamon and tobacco flavors that subtly dance across the palate thereby completing a four flavor opus that is shockingly profound. At the back of the palate the flavors are all wood, some hickory and oak and light tastes of cedar that provide a most solid backdrop for the core profile. The draw is a dream, again so rare in recent Habano times, I just get so many that are tight or plugged. The burn has a slight run in the first moments, but I am hopeful it will even out.
The first third of the cigar continues to wow my palate. The core profile becomes a more intense presentation of leather and tobacco, but some cinnamon notes hold here to provide a nice sweetness that has some spice. The back of the palate continues to show lots of woody flavors, but there is a vanilla essence here too, it is almost so slight that if I had not been so in tune to the experience I might have missed it. The draw continues to perform like a dream. The burn is still slightly off and I knock some discolored wrapper into the tray gently hoping to even the smoke out.
The middle third of the cigar shows me things that I can't recall from past Lusi's that I have smoked. The core profile morphs into a powerful, and full bodied, presentation of flavor. The core notes become peppery and the cinnamon has transitioned into a more spicy presentation that adds some kick to the presentation. At the back of the palate there are still crisp wood notes, but a rich tobacco flavor has entered the frame and it is most welcome as a base for the spice and pepper to sit on. I don't if the woody flavors could have held up to the power being shown here. The draw is still exceptional as I near the last third. The burn has evened out and I am sure the issues are behind me.
The final third of the cigar makes another wondrous transition. The core profile maintains some peppery flavors, but they are muted by cinnamon and vanilla tones that combine to create a unique profile experience. At the back of the palate there are still rich tobacco flavors, but they woody notes have returned and a symphonic presentation of both flavors is a welcome final note to the experience. The draw maintains it's steadfast perfection to the end. The burn has one more issue, but I don't relight so near the end.
The finish was lingering and nostalgic leaving sweet memories of cinnamon, spice, vanilla and tobacco long after the smoke clears.
Appearance- 97 one of my favorite looking cigars ever
Taste- 100 a perfect balance of excellent flavors throughout that I do not hesitate to rank as tied with the St.Luis Rey Serie A as the best I've ever had
Construction- 94 some burn issues hinder this score, but still exceptional
Strength- 96 an excellent medium/full that wonderfully complements the profile in all the right ways
Overall- 96.75 an absolute classic cigar
I have always thought that this cigar is chivalrous in appearance and it always makes me feel like a dignified aristocrat when I hold one and ponder what it is offering as the lazy smoke drifts above my head. The cigar just screams majesty as I look it over. The wrapper is beautiful, without a single flaw. Even the veining makes the cigar seem wizened, like a Great Grandfather that has aged well. I envision an old Cuban Grandfather teaching his grandson about the leaf, the bunch, the rolling and the history of the glorified tradition. I inspect the roll and the bunch and I can't find a single problem, very rare for a Habano in recent times. The pre light aroma is of leather, cinnamon and light tobacco. The pre light draw shows a tantalizingly delicate array of subtle flavors including; cinnamon, leather, tobacco and some floral sweetness.
This cigar opens with a profile that ranks amongst the best that I have ever experienced. There are booming notes of leather and wood, a Partagas hallmark in my opinion, these flavors are the early stars of the show. There are also cinnamon and tobacco flavors that subtly dance across the palate thereby completing a four flavor opus that is shockingly profound. At the back of the palate the flavors are all wood, some hickory and oak and light tastes of cedar that provide a most solid backdrop for the core profile. The draw is a dream, again so rare in recent Habano times, I just get so many that are tight or plugged. The burn has a slight run in the first moments, but I am hopeful it will even out.
The first third of the cigar continues to wow my palate. The core profile becomes a more intense presentation of leather and tobacco, but some cinnamon notes hold here to provide a nice sweetness that has some spice. The back of the palate continues to show lots of woody flavors, but there is a vanilla essence here too, it is almost so slight that if I had not been so in tune to the experience I might have missed it. The draw continues to perform like a dream. The burn is still slightly off and I knock some discolored wrapper into the tray gently hoping to even the smoke out.
The middle third of the cigar shows me things that I can't recall from past Lusi's that I have smoked. The core profile morphs into a powerful, and full bodied, presentation of flavor. The core notes become peppery and the cinnamon has transitioned into a more spicy presentation that adds some kick to the presentation. At the back of the palate there are still crisp wood notes, but a rich tobacco flavor has entered the frame and it is most welcome as a base for the spice and pepper to sit on. I don't if the woody flavors could have held up to the power being shown here. The draw is still exceptional as I near the last third. The burn has evened out and I am sure the issues are behind me.
The final third of the cigar makes another wondrous transition. The core profile maintains some peppery flavors, but they are muted by cinnamon and vanilla tones that combine to create a unique profile experience. At the back of the palate there are still rich tobacco flavors, but they woody notes have returned and a symphonic presentation of both flavors is a welcome final note to the experience. The draw maintains it's steadfast perfection to the end. The burn has one more issue, but I don't relight so near the end.
The finish was lingering and nostalgic leaving sweet memories of cinnamon, spice, vanilla and tobacco long after the smoke clears.
Appearance- 97 one of my favorite looking cigars ever
Taste- 100 a perfect balance of excellent flavors throughout that I do not hesitate to rank as tied with the St.Luis Rey Serie A as the best I've ever had
Construction- 94 some burn issues hinder this score, but still exceptional
Strength- 96 an excellent medium/full that wonderfully complements the profile in all the right ways
Overall- 96.75 an absolute classic cigar
Friday, December 30, 2011
Partagas Black Label Maximo (6x50)
I know what some of you are thinking when you read the name of the cigar being reviewed here. WTF! Has the Czar gone mad? This cigar is neither new, nor is it a boutique. I know you are all used to the reviews from me covering new cigars, mostly from boutique manufacturers, and the mostly unheard of or untried smokes of the present day. Well folks, I have decided to take a little detour through some of my aging drawers for this one.
A little story. Some years ago, about 8 years ago to be exact, I bought a box of these and smoked smoked some as the powerhouse in my then mundane lineup. See, smokers back then just did not have the selection that we have today. I smoked many La Gloria's, Hoyos, Punch etc... It was just very hard to populate a cigar lineup back then. The Partagas Black became my powerhouse bomb for after a big meal, or with a strong drink or as a closer to my cigar day. Somewhere along the line I just kind of grew out of these cigars and the few I had remaining got shuffled into the aging bins of humi's for years and years. My brother was in town for the holidays and he was feeling frisky cigar wise and said to me I want something strong! I pawed about the humidor for a bit and came away with two of these cigars which I remembered as being very powerful in their day. I was skeptical about how they may have aged and whether or not they would still have any character or punch, but I decided to give them a whirl with my bro.
The cigar itself is less oily than I remember, it still has a nice sheen to it, but it is definitely looking less aggressive than it used to. There are some prominent veins in the nearly black wrapper on this specimen, but I don't think they will be problematic. An examination reveals some tightness in the bunch, but I recall this attribute from most General products of the day and they still always seemed to smoke without issue back then, something that can't be said of General now. The pre light aroma is full of earth and licorice notes mixed with some nice cedar undertones. The pre light draw is showing some nice hints of cocoa, but there is a tarry quality here that is not pleasing.
The cigar opens with depth and complexity that is completely unexpected and nearly overwhelming. The profile shows a very nuanced, yet forceful array of flavors. There are some excellent notes of chocolate, coffee, earth, dark wood and licorice dancing across the palate in the early stages of this smoke and I am wondering if all the aging has actually paid off in what will be a remarkable smoke. If the early signs are any indication this could be an epic experience. At the back of the palate there is a peppery tone that is providing a nice complement to the early flavors. The draw is a little too tight for me, but I am not laboring in any overt way. The burn is a touch off, but I don't think a touch up will be required.
The first half of the cigar really declines rapidly, I knew the opening moments were probably too good to be true. The profile continues to show some coffee and dark wood notes, but the tarry flavors noted in the pre light are racing back into this picture like the drunken uncle at the family reunion that doesn't hear it is time for the family photo until last call and then the fully involved drunk run takes place across the yard with him ultimately knocking over grandma but saving his red plastic cup of beer. OK so maybe that is a little over the top but you get what I mean, this is a flavor that, like the uncle, no one wants to experience. At the back of the palate the peppery flavors become more sharp and there is a metallic undertone creeping in here that will derail the experience if it continues. The draw is opening up just at the time I wish it would close down completely. The burn is evening out here and I am thinking there will be no further issues.
The final half of the cigar is really a disaster. The profile just becomes a mess of tar like flavors with some wisps of charred wood in the front. The back part of the profile degrades further into a sour earthy presentation that has some metallic character that is becoming more and more pronounced, blessedly the cigar is nearly done. The draw is still OK and the burn stays strong throughout.
The finish was acrid, tar like and charred.
The opening moments showed so much promise, it is really too bad that this happened to these cigars which I remember really enjoying at one time.
Appearance- 88 bold and aggressive looking
Taste- 77 some really poor moments in the end take away all the positives from the beginning
Construction- 86 some early draw tightness and burn issues take away from this score
Strength- 80 still full and very strong, but not in a good way
Overall- 82.25 a very sub par experience, proving that nostalgic remembrances should remain safely locked away for ever
A little story. Some years ago, about 8 years ago to be exact, I bought a box of these and smoked smoked some as the powerhouse in my then mundane lineup. See, smokers back then just did not have the selection that we have today. I smoked many La Gloria's, Hoyos, Punch etc... It was just very hard to populate a cigar lineup back then. The Partagas Black became my powerhouse bomb for after a big meal, or with a strong drink or as a closer to my cigar day. Somewhere along the line I just kind of grew out of these cigars and the few I had remaining got shuffled into the aging bins of humi's for years and years. My brother was in town for the holidays and he was feeling frisky cigar wise and said to me I want something strong! I pawed about the humidor for a bit and came away with two of these cigars which I remembered as being very powerful in their day. I was skeptical about how they may have aged and whether or not they would still have any character or punch, but I decided to give them a whirl with my bro.
The cigar itself is less oily than I remember, it still has a nice sheen to it, but it is definitely looking less aggressive than it used to. There are some prominent veins in the nearly black wrapper on this specimen, but I don't think they will be problematic. An examination reveals some tightness in the bunch, but I recall this attribute from most General products of the day and they still always seemed to smoke without issue back then, something that can't be said of General now. The pre light aroma is full of earth and licorice notes mixed with some nice cedar undertones. The pre light draw is showing some nice hints of cocoa, but there is a tarry quality here that is not pleasing.
The cigar opens with depth and complexity that is completely unexpected and nearly overwhelming. The profile shows a very nuanced, yet forceful array of flavors. There are some excellent notes of chocolate, coffee, earth, dark wood and licorice dancing across the palate in the early stages of this smoke and I am wondering if all the aging has actually paid off in what will be a remarkable smoke. If the early signs are any indication this could be an epic experience. At the back of the palate there is a peppery tone that is providing a nice complement to the early flavors. The draw is a little too tight for me, but I am not laboring in any overt way. The burn is a touch off, but I don't think a touch up will be required.
The first half of the cigar really declines rapidly, I knew the opening moments were probably too good to be true. The profile continues to show some coffee and dark wood notes, but the tarry flavors noted in the pre light are racing back into this picture like the drunken uncle at the family reunion that doesn't hear it is time for the family photo until last call and then the fully involved drunk run takes place across the yard with him ultimately knocking over grandma but saving his red plastic cup of beer. OK so maybe that is a little over the top but you get what I mean, this is a flavor that, like the uncle, no one wants to experience. At the back of the palate the peppery flavors become more sharp and there is a metallic undertone creeping in here that will derail the experience if it continues. The draw is opening up just at the time I wish it would close down completely. The burn is evening out here and I am thinking there will be no further issues.
The final half of the cigar is really a disaster. The profile just becomes a mess of tar like flavors with some wisps of charred wood in the front. The back part of the profile degrades further into a sour earthy presentation that has some metallic character that is becoming more and more pronounced, blessedly the cigar is nearly done. The draw is still OK and the burn stays strong throughout.
The finish was acrid, tar like and charred.
The opening moments showed so much promise, it is really too bad that this happened to these cigars which I remember really enjoying at one time.
Appearance- 88 bold and aggressive looking
Taste- 77 some really poor moments in the end take away all the positives from the beginning
Construction- 86 some early draw tightness and burn issues take away from this score
Strength- 80 still full and very strong, but not in a good way
Overall- 82.25 a very sub par experience, proving that nostalgic remembrances should remain safely locked away for ever
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Partagas Lonsdale (Box Date 1998)
As I was playing hooky from work recently, a friend of mine was also playing hooky on the same day, so we decided in the best tradition of the Brotherhood of the Leaf, that we would proclaim a day of smoking. My friend, being the solid Brother of the Leaf that he is, proffered this smoke as a palate cleanser for the cigar I reviewed just before this one. I gladly accepted and set to removing the foul remnants of the prior cigar.
This smoke is a near perfect visual. The wrapper is a chestnut hued brown and it shows plenty of age. There are few veins and the cigar is firm and bold looking, yet still elegant. I savor the pre light aroma of leather and spice. I also note that the pre light draw is showing deep, rich tobacco notes laced with spice and leather.
The cigar opens with a very intense profile of leather and crisp tobacco, the complexity is not what I would like at this point but the depth of the flavors is stunning. At the back of the palate and through the nose there are delicious flavors of toast and almost wheaty notes that make the cigar very interesting. The draw is tight, but not horribly so, I will gladly labor a bit to enjoy this cigar. The burn shows a nice shoulder, but is not especially sharp from the beginning.
The first half of the cigar continues to develop beautifully. There are notes of leather, spice and full tobacco flavors dancing on the palate. At the back of the palate there are still very satisfying toasty flavors and light spates of cinnamon that add to the complexity of the cigar. The draw continues to be somewhat tight, but I am still not having to labor in an untoward way. The burn is still lopsided, but the shoulder continues to show nicely.
The final half of the cigar shows an interesting shift. The core profile still shows heavy influences of leather, but cinnamon begins to show through at the front of the palate. At the back of the palate some toasty notes give way to spice and flavors of wood that transition this cigar into an unexpected place that I was not expecting to delve into. The draw is still too tight for me and the burn catches in the final two inches, however, neither of those developments are detracting in any major way.
The finish is long and lingers with a pleasing dusty quality on the palate. There are notes of leather and spice.
Appearance- 94 an excellent example of what a lonsdale should look like
Taste- 93 a fantastic taste experience that lacked early complexity, but fully recovered by the end
Construction- 90 is the best I can do after burn and draw issues
Strength- 93 a nice medium/full that compliments the profile well
Overall- 92.25 a very good smoke that could be classic with some complexity early
This smoke is a near perfect visual. The wrapper is a chestnut hued brown and it shows plenty of age. There are few veins and the cigar is firm and bold looking, yet still elegant. I savor the pre light aroma of leather and spice. I also note that the pre light draw is showing deep, rich tobacco notes laced with spice and leather.
The cigar opens with a very intense profile of leather and crisp tobacco, the complexity is not what I would like at this point but the depth of the flavors is stunning. At the back of the palate and through the nose there are delicious flavors of toast and almost wheaty notes that make the cigar very interesting. The draw is tight, but not horribly so, I will gladly labor a bit to enjoy this cigar. The burn shows a nice shoulder, but is not especially sharp from the beginning.
The first half of the cigar continues to develop beautifully. There are notes of leather, spice and full tobacco flavors dancing on the palate. At the back of the palate there are still very satisfying toasty flavors and light spates of cinnamon that add to the complexity of the cigar. The draw continues to be somewhat tight, but I am still not having to labor in an untoward way. The burn is still lopsided, but the shoulder continues to show nicely.
The final half of the cigar shows an interesting shift. The core profile still shows heavy influences of leather, but cinnamon begins to show through at the front of the palate. At the back of the palate some toasty notes give way to spice and flavors of wood that transition this cigar into an unexpected place that I was not expecting to delve into. The draw is still too tight for me and the burn catches in the final two inches, however, neither of those developments are detracting in any major way.
The finish is long and lingers with a pleasing dusty quality on the palate. There are notes of leather and spice.
Appearance- 94 an excellent example of what a lonsdale should look like
Taste- 93 a fantastic taste experience that lacked early complexity, but fully recovered by the end
Construction- 90 is the best I can do after burn and draw issues
Strength- 93 a nice medium/full that compliments the profile well
Overall- 92.25 a very good smoke that could be classic with some complexity early
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Partagas Short (January 2009 Box Date)
This is a very short smoke and it presents in a stocky little vitola that looks leathery and oily. There is some prominent veining, but I do not believe that it will be an issue during the smoke. A quick exam leads to me to believe that cigar is well made, as I detect no areas of concern. The pre light aroma smacks of leather and spice. The pre light draw shows a nice tone of leather and cedar.
The cigar opens with a beautiful profile of leather and nice tobacco notes. At the back of the palate there is a sharp cedar undertones that compliments the front of the profile in a wonderful way. The draw is exceptional, I can't even detect the usual tightness in the draw that I expect from Habanos. The burn shows a nice shoulder, but I have seen better and I suspect some more age might be necessary.
The first half of the cigar continues to show a core profile of leather and fine tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the cedar notes have picked up an underlying note of vanilla that adds some depth to the experience. The draw continues to perform extremely well and the burn is spot on showing no signs of deterioration.
The final half of the cigar is a disappointment. The profile begins to show heavy tannins and becomes bitey. At the back of the palate the cedar flavors have given way to some bitter notes and the experience becomes less enjoyable. The draw continues to perform well and the burn showed no signs of trouble throughout.
The finish was short and full of tannins. I will lay these down for another six to twelve months and try again.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 83 the back half killed the cigar, but if the front is what I have to look forward to then it will be a classic profile
Construction- 93 an excellent smoking experience from the standpoint of consistency
Strength- 85 average medium smoke
Overall- 87.5 with some age this will be a 90+ smoke
The cigar opens with a beautiful profile of leather and nice tobacco notes. At the back of the palate there is a sharp cedar undertones that compliments the front of the profile in a wonderful way. The draw is exceptional, I can't even detect the usual tightness in the draw that I expect from Habanos. The burn shows a nice shoulder, but I have seen better and I suspect some more age might be necessary.
The first half of the cigar continues to show a core profile of leather and fine tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the cedar notes have picked up an underlying note of vanilla that adds some depth to the experience. The draw continues to perform extremely well and the burn is spot on showing no signs of deterioration.
The final half of the cigar is a disappointment. The profile begins to show heavy tannins and becomes bitey. At the back of the palate the cedar flavors have given way to some bitter notes and the experience becomes less enjoyable. The draw continues to perform well and the burn showed no signs of trouble throughout.
The finish was short and full of tannins. I will lay these down for another six to twelve months and try again.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 83 the back half killed the cigar, but if the front is what I have to look forward to then it will be a classic profile
Construction- 93 an excellent smoking experience from the standpoint of consistency
Strength- 85 average medium smoke
Overall- 87.5 with some age this will be a 90+ smoke
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Partagas Master Series Majestuoso
This is a new cigar from Partagas celebrating the career of their master blender Benji Menendez. The cigar presents well with a dark wrapper that shows lots of tooth, but seems a bit dry. The wrapper also shows some flaws and there is some prominent veining. The construction seems to be ok, but might be a bit firm. The pre light aroma is sweet and has notes of hard candy and fruit. The pre light draw is tight, but shows notes of leather and brine.
The cigar opens with a profile that has heavy notes of salt and rich tobacco. The draw is too tight, but there is not any undue labor involved in the smoke. The burn is solid and produces a nice white ash. At the back of the palate there are some leathery notes, but some bitterness is taking away some of the enjoyment.
The first half of the cigar maintains a profile of salt and rich tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate there is a nice mix of leather and roasted nut flavor. The draw opens slightly and the burn stays solid. Near the end of the first half some bitterness surfaces in the main body of the profile and it causes me some concern.
The second half of the cigar transitions slightly. There are leathery notes with some flavors of roasted nuts. At the back of the palate there are some peppery notes that are present, but some bitterness still persists. The draw is now acceptable and the burn still performs well. There is a significant lack of depth and complexity in the profile throughout the experience.
The finish is bitter, but has notes of pepper and leather.
Appearance- 83 veining and flaws hurt the score
Taste- 84 bitterness and lack of depth and complexity hurt the overall impression
Construction- 82 the tight draw in the early stages hinder the cigar
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 83.5 a below average cigar with a ten dollar price tag
The cigar opens with a profile that has heavy notes of salt and rich tobacco. The draw is too tight, but there is not any undue labor involved in the smoke. The burn is solid and produces a nice white ash. At the back of the palate there are some leathery notes, but some bitterness is taking away some of the enjoyment.
The first half of the cigar maintains a profile of salt and rich tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate there is a nice mix of leather and roasted nut flavor. The draw opens slightly and the burn stays solid. Near the end of the first half some bitterness surfaces in the main body of the profile and it causes me some concern.
The second half of the cigar transitions slightly. There are leathery notes with some flavors of roasted nuts. At the back of the palate there are some peppery notes that are present, but some bitterness still persists. The draw is now acceptable and the burn still performs well. There is a significant lack of depth and complexity in the profile throughout the experience.
The finish is bitter, but has notes of pepper and leather.
Appearance- 83 veining and flaws hurt the score
Taste- 84 bitterness and lack of depth and complexity hurt the overall impression
Construction- 82 the tight draw in the early stages hinder the cigar
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 83.5 a below average cigar with a ten dollar price tag
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Partagas Lusitania (Box Date 2001?)
I am not sure about the box date on this one, but the belief is that it comes from a 2001 box. The cigar is breathtaking to behold. Big, firm and leathery this cigar has not a single visual flaw anywhere on the wrapper. The wrapper is oily, the construction is tight and the only problem is that the foot has frayed a bit. The pre light aroma is of spice and cedar. The pre light draw is of clove and raisin.
The cigar begins with a subtle, yet complex profile, of clove, spice and raisin. At the back of the palate there is a fine dusting of leathery flavor that adds to the experience. The draw is a bit tight, but I expect that of Habanos. The burn is sharp and there is an approximately one eighth inch shoulder between the wrapper and ash. I settle in for a long smoke.
The first quarter of the cigar burns well, but continues to draw a bit tight. The profile has settled into a nice mix of leather, spice and clove. There are very satisfying notes of toasted wood and a cedary sweetness through the nose and at the back of the palate. The ash is a dirty gray, but is very firm, holding to nearly two inches.
At the halfway point the profile develops even further. There are core notes of leather, spice and cedar, but there are some vanilla notes as well that have added to the complexity of the smoke. Through the nose I am still experiencing some beautiful notes of toasted wood. The burn is still excellent and the ash is firm and strong.
The third quarter of the cigar maintains a core of leather and spice, but the vanilla flavors have become more prominent. The cedar notes and toasted wood continue to show through as well and this cigar is showing a lot of cat and mouse subtlety for such a large vitola. Most people typically expect a big cigar to be in your face. The come hither disposition of this cigar is a surprise, and a pleasant one. The draw is still a touch tight and it causing some heat in the smoke.
The final quarter of the cigar really hits home. The profile becomes a final rush of powerful leathery and cedar notes. There is still some sweetness at the back of the palate, but the core leathery flavor dominates.
The finish is long and smooth. It holds a profile of leather and cedar for many minutes. I smoked this over a two and three quarter hour period and I can say I would have gladly spent double that time smoking a cigar of this quality.
Appearance- 97 one of the finest looking cigars I have seen
Taste- 96 an excellent profile that was very complex, some of the flavors could have used some more depth
Construction- 88 the tight draw and the resulting heat cause a reduction here
Strength- 92 a medium/full offering that compliments the profile well, but could have shown more power
Overall- 93.25 a fabulous smoke of very high quality, without the draw issues it would have been classic
The cigar begins with a subtle, yet complex profile, of clove, spice and raisin. At the back of the palate there is a fine dusting of leathery flavor that adds to the experience. The draw is a bit tight, but I expect that of Habanos. The burn is sharp and there is an approximately one eighth inch shoulder between the wrapper and ash. I settle in for a long smoke.
The first quarter of the cigar burns well, but continues to draw a bit tight. The profile has settled into a nice mix of leather, spice and clove. There are very satisfying notes of toasted wood and a cedary sweetness through the nose and at the back of the palate. The ash is a dirty gray, but is very firm, holding to nearly two inches.
At the halfway point the profile develops even further. There are core notes of leather, spice and cedar, but there are some vanilla notes as well that have added to the complexity of the smoke. Through the nose I am still experiencing some beautiful notes of toasted wood. The burn is still excellent and the ash is firm and strong.
The third quarter of the cigar maintains a core of leather and spice, but the vanilla flavors have become more prominent. The cedar notes and toasted wood continue to show through as well and this cigar is showing a lot of cat and mouse subtlety for such a large vitola. Most people typically expect a big cigar to be in your face. The come hither disposition of this cigar is a surprise, and a pleasant one. The draw is still a touch tight and it causing some heat in the smoke.
The final quarter of the cigar really hits home. The profile becomes a final rush of powerful leathery and cedar notes. There is still some sweetness at the back of the palate, but the core leathery flavor dominates.
The finish is long and smooth. It holds a profile of leather and cedar for many minutes. I smoked this over a two and three quarter hour period and I can say I would have gladly spent double that time smoking a cigar of this quality.
Appearance- 97 one of the finest looking cigars I have seen
Taste- 96 an excellent profile that was very complex, some of the flavors could have used some more depth
Construction- 88 the tight draw and the resulting heat cause a reduction here
Strength- 92 a medium/full offering that compliments the profile well, but could have shown more power
Overall- 93.25 a fabulous smoke of very high quality, without the draw issues it would have been classic
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Partagas Culebras (2006 Box Date)
This is a vitola that I have always wanted to experience. These come bundled together in sets of three cigars, for my birthday I was given one and shared it with two of my closest friends. The long, curly presentation reminds me of a vine or the crooked finger of an animated witch. There are no flaws in the wrapper and the cigar appears to be well made. The pre light aroma is leathery with hints of spice. The pre light draw is smooth and even, which surprises me because of the twists and turns in the body of the smoke, and has notes of tobacco, spice and leather.
The cigar begins with a profile of leather and earth. The weird vitola draws exceptionally well and booms out billowing pillows of smoke. The burn is also surprisingly sharp, despite the fact that it juts at a forty five degree angle up and away from my mouth. The cigar maintains this status until the halfway point.
In the second half of the cigar the crooks and turns straighten a little, I can only assume that the heat helps this process. The profile is still of leather and earth, but there is some light spice and a satisfying nicotine tingle. The burn and draw have continued to perform well above what I expected from this strange vitola.
The finish is smooth and long with notes of spice, earth and leather.
Appearance- 98 just look at one of these and you will be entertained and wonder how they do it
Taste- 91 a nice solid profile that could use more depth and complexity
Construction- 100 the only score possible for a cigar that performs this well after being twisted and turned
Strength- 90 a nice medium/full smoke
Overall- 94.75 this cigar was the most smoking fun I have had in quite some time
The cigar begins with a profile of leather and earth. The weird vitola draws exceptionally well and booms out billowing pillows of smoke. The burn is also surprisingly sharp, despite the fact that it juts at a forty five degree angle up and away from my mouth. The cigar maintains this status until the halfway point.
In the second half of the cigar the crooks and turns straighten a little, I can only assume that the heat helps this process. The profile is still of leather and earth, but there is some light spice and a satisfying nicotine tingle. The burn and draw have continued to perform well above what I expected from this strange vitola.
The finish is smooth and long with notes of spice, earth and leather.
Appearance- 98 just look at one of these and you will be entertained and wonder how they do it
Taste- 91 a nice solid profile that could use more depth and complexity
Construction- 100 the only score possible for a cigar that performs this well after being twisted and turned
Strength- 90 a nice medium/full smoke
Overall- 94.75 this cigar was the most smoking fun I have had in quite some time
Partagas Short (January 2009 Box Date)
This small cigar presents in a whimsical size for when you have less than thirty minutes for a smoke. The wrapper is toothy and prominently veined, there are also a few flaws in the presentation. The pre light aroma has notes of earth, leather and spice. The pre light draw smacks of tobacco and spice, but there is a metallic note there as well.
The cigar begins with more strength that I would usually anticipate from a cigar of this size. The profile has a core of leathery flavors, but there is some spice at the back of the palate. There is also a bitter, metallic bite on the palate that is hurting the experience. The draw is flawless and the burn, while a bit lopsided, is strong.
This cigar is so short that I can't review it in sections as I normally would. The profile continues hold a core of leathery flavors with some spates of spice, but the bitter notes are still detracting from the experience. I believe that this cigar needs more time, so I will be laying them down for awhile.
The finish is an explosion of nicotine and tobacco, but there is a metallic undertone that again hurts the score.
Appearance- 85 some flaws and veins hurt the score
Taste- 82 the overall core of the profile was excellent, but the metallic bite kills the profile
Construction- 91 this cigar performed extremely well aside from some flaking ashes
Strength- 87 a bit overwhelming from a cigar this size, with age this will mellow to the correct strength to profile ratio
Overall- 86.25 a score based largely on being saved by construction
The cigar begins with more strength that I would usually anticipate from a cigar of this size. The profile has a core of leathery flavors, but there is some spice at the back of the palate. There is also a bitter, metallic bite on the palate that is hurting the experience. The draw is flawless and the burn, while a bit lopsided, is strong.
This cigar is so short that I can't review it in sections as I normally would. The profile continues hold a core of leathery flavors with some spates of spice, but the bitter notes are still detracting from the experience. I believe that this cigar needs more time, so I will be laying them down for awhile.
The finish is an explosion of nicotine and tobacco, but there is a metallic undertone that again hurts the score.
Appearance- 85 some flaws and veins hurt the score
Taste- 82 the overall core of the profile was excellent, but the metallic bite kills the profile
Construction- 91 this cigar performed extremely well aside from some flaking ashes
Strength- 87 a bit overwhelming from a cigar this size, with age this will mellow to the correct strength to profile ratio
Overall- 86.25 a score based largely on being saved by construction
Friday, September 18, 2009
Partagas Decadas Limited Reserve 1998 No.II
A super premium offering from General Cigar, you can expect to pay top retail dollar for this cigar. The cigar presents with a nice looking wrapper that has plenty of tooth, but seems as though it may be a bit dry. An inspection of the cigar reveals a tight roll and there are several firm spots that may indicate plugs. I cut and take a tentative draw, there are no issues, I sigh a breath of relief. The pre light aroma is floral with notes of spice. The pre light draw smacks of ginger and spice.
The cigar opens with floral notes laced with spice and ginger. The ash is developing well with a dirty gray presentation. The draw is above average and the burn is likewise.
At somewhere between the third and halfway point there is a distinct profile change. Notes of pepper coupled with an unexpected blast of cedar are presenting in a unique way, I am undecided on whether it is pleasant or distracting. The burn and draw maintain to this point.
The final half of the cigar shows yet more pepper and develops further with a cedary undertone that continues to be unexpected. There are some wispy floral notes with hints of spice in the background. Burn and draw have remained solid.
The finish is a bit bitter, but there are notes of pepper and spice left on the palate.
Appearance- 87 a dry appearance detracts from the appeal
Taste- 88 the profile was unique, but not special for me
Construction- 92 I encountered no issues
Strength- 88 a nice medium/full presentation
Overall- 88.75 a nice smoke
The cigar opens with floral notes laced with spice and ginger. The ash is developing well with a dirty gray presentation. The draw is above average and the burn is likewise.
At somewhere between the third and halfway point there is a distinct profile change. Notes of pepper coupled with an unexpected blast of cedar are presenting in a unique way, I am undecided on whether it is pleasant or distracting. The burn and draw maintain to this point.
The final half of the cigar shows yet more pepper and develops further with a cedary undertone that continues to be unexpected. There are some wispy floral notes with hints of spice in the background. Burn and draw have remained solid.
The finish is a bit bitter, but there are notes of pepper and spice left on the palate.
Appearance- 87 a dry appearance detracts from the appeal
Taste- 88 the profile was unique, but not special for me
Construction- 92 I encountered no issues
Strength- 88 a nice medium/full presentation
Overall- 88.75 a nice smoke
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Partagas Lonsdale (Box Date 1998)
This was another gift from my friend and I looked forward to smoking it after his rave reviews. The cigar is beautifully constructed with a wrapper the hue of cafe au lait, there is little veining and the silky smooth exterior is most appealing. The pre light aroma is of cedar and light tobacco essence. The pre light draw smacks of leather and light wood.
The cigar opens with an unexpected complexity. The core profile is of leather and light tobacco, but there are undertones of cedar and other wood. The draw is a bit tight, but I expect this from cigars of this geographic vintage. The burn is steady with a fantastic shoulder.
The development in this cigar is too difficult to describe in stages. There are three significant profile shifts during the duration of this smoke. The first described above. The second shift was to a core of rich tobacco with undertones of lemon zest and orange peel. The final shift was to a core of lighter tobacco flavors with undertones of leather, light earth, cedar and vanilla bean.
The finish of this cigar was long and smooth with notes of leather and rich tobacco. This cigar is a classic, and I wished it was longer for further evaluation.
Appearance- 92 a beautiful cigar with a bit of a ruddy look
Taste- 98 this cigar had complexity and depth that is seldom experienced
Construction- 98 this cigar performed extremely well, for this vitola the construction was nearly flawless
Strength- 95 a wonderful medium smoke that complements all other elements of this smoke
Overall- 95.75
The cigar opens with an unexpected complexity. The core profile is of leather and light tobacco, but there are undertones of cedar and other wood. The draw is a bit tight, but I expect this from cigars of this geographic vintage. The burn is steady with a fantastic shoulder.
The development in this cigar is too difficult to describe in stages. There are three significant profile shifts during the duration of this smoke. The first described above. The second shift was to a core of rich tobacco with undertones of lemon zest and orange peel. The final shift was to a core of lighter tobacco flavors with undertones of leather, light earth, cedar and vanilla bean.
The finish of this cigar was long and smooth with notes of leather and rich tobacco. This cigar is a classic, and I wished it was longer for further evaluation.
Appearance- 92 a beautiful cigar with a bit of a ruddy look
Taste- 98 this cigar had complexity and depth that is seldom experienced
Construction- 98 this cigar performed extremely well, for this vitola the construction was nearly flawless
Strength- 95 a wonderful medium smoke that complements all other elements of this smoke
Overall- 95.75
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Partagas Seleccion de Connoisseur (Box Date 1999)
This is a 10 year old lonsdale that I have been anticipating after hearing about them from a friend. He gave me this one to try tonight. The cigar presents with a ruddy appearance and prominent veining in the wrapper. The feel of the cigar is firm and well rolled, exactly as I would expect from this vitola. The pre light aroma is floral with some leathery notes touching the nose. The pre light draw also has floral notes and I can feel the tingle synonomous with high nicotine content, but is not tight as I have experienced with other cuban cigars of this size.
Upon lighting I am immediately intrigued by a unique floral essence that continues for the first two inches. Then a feeling starts to coat my palate, the tingling almost minty feeling that comes along with blasts of nicotine. The floral notes and the nicotine continue to almost the half way point of the smoke.
At the half way point a profile change emerges and I begin to pick up a strong leathery core with undertones of pleasing medium tobacco flavors. The burn stays strong and the burn stays razor sharp. The ash is a dark gray and the shoulder on the cigar is prominent.
The last half of the cigar is sneaky strong and catches me offguard. The leathery core intermingles with a re-emerging floral note and finishes with a flourish of leather, floral notes and tobacco flavors.
I was impressed with this cigar as I am aware of the difficulty in maintaining quality in smokes of this size. The construction and burn were superior.
Appearance- 84 the ruddy, veiny looks hurt the appearance
Taste- 92 the complexity of this cigar was above average and the profile changes were satisfying
Construction- 95 one of the finest examples of a lonsdale that I have smoked
Strength- 91 surprising nicotine notes made this stronger than expected
Overall- 90.5
Upon lighting I am immediately intrigued by a unique floral essence that continues for the first two inches. Then a feeling starts to coat my palate, the tingling almost minty feeling that comes along with blasts of nicotine. The floral notes and the nicotine continue to almost the half way point of the smoke.
At the half way point a profile change emerges and I begin to pick up a strong leathery core with undertones of pleasing medium tobacco flavors. The burn stays strong and the burn stays razor sharp. The ash is a dark gray and the shoulder on the cigar is prominent.
The last half of the cigar is sneaky strong and catches me offguard. The leathery core intermingles with a re-emerging floral note and finishes with a flourish of leather, floral notes and tobacco flavors.
I was impressed with this cigar as I am aware of the difficulty in maintaining quality in smokes of this size. The construction and burn were superior.
Appearance- 84 the ruddy, veiny looks hurt the appearance
Taste- 92 the complexity of this cigar was above average and the profile changes were satisfying
Construction- 95 one of the finest examples of a lonsdale that I have smoked
Strength- 91 surprising nicotine notes made this stronger than expected
Overall- 90.5
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