Partagas 1845
Size: 5.5 x 49 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Price: $9

I'm pretty sure this is a leftover cigar from my Las Vegas Big Smoke two years ago.  I can't imagine how else it ended up in my humidor.  I know some people swear by Partagas, and their annual limited-edition Christmas cigars get stalked almost as badly as the Fuente Fuente Opus X and God of Fire.  I've had a couple, but other than one Spanish Rosado I loved, I just haven't seen the appeal.

This cigar, like other Partagas I've tried, was just very meh... It wasn't bad.  It was a just a medium body cigar with no distinguishing characteristics.  This is something I'd smoke if it was handed to me, but I wouldn't buy one. It certainly doesn't hold a candle to many of its lower-priced competitors like Pinar del Rio Sun Grown or 5 Vegas High Primings.

Partagas Diciembre (Winter Blend)
Size: 5.5 x 49
Tobacco: Honduran sun-grown wrapper, Nicaraguan fillers, rolled in DR
Price: $5.75

I found this cigar in my humidor. I don't know how long I've had it, or where it came from. It must have been a sampler. The cigar wrapper was very dark, and it featured flavors and smells that often accompany sun-grown wrappers: an oily pungent aroma; an almost dank coffee flavor throughout. Draw was weaker than I liked, although the smoke was cool and relaxing. The cigar lacked a noteworthy finish, which means it was somewhat overpowered by even the light briny single malt it was paired with--Clynelish 14-year.

This was a decent, refined cigar but not one that really lives up to the Partagas standard (not like the Spanish Rosado or the Series D from Cuba).

Partagas Spanish Rosado Sabroso
Size: 5.88 x 44
Wrapper: Honduran
Filler: Dominican/Mexican/Honduran
Price: $5.95 (retail-single) / $3.40 (internet-box price)

My only previous experience with Partagas was a wretched Partagas Black in August 2005, possibly the worst cigar I've ever smoked. I vowed back then never to give Partagas another chance, even though I've continued to read a lot of good things about this classic brand. I was in a local B&M a few days ago, looking to try something different, and I figured "What the heck?" I risked six dollars on the uniquely named Spanish Rosado. (What I really wanted was the Fuente Sun Grown Double Chateau, but I thought $12 was just obscenely expensive).

This cigar turned out to be a great investment. It had a dark reddish-brown wrapper, with a few veins but no visible blemishes. I sniffed but could not discern any prelight aroma. I was enticed by a unique, almost fruity taste.

After lighting up on my drive home from work, I soon realized this was going to a very sophisticated smoke. The aroma was odd, with a vague scent of fruits--or was it tea? The taste was very dry and dusty, although lightened by occasional draughts of sweetness, medium in body. The finish and aftertaste was heavy and full and slightly bitter, which of course made a great contrast with the sweet fruitiness of the initial taste on each draw.

I didn't want to waste this cigar, so I pulled my car over in Shelby Farms, turned up some blues music on public radio, and spent 15 minutes just savoring the first day of Spring. I have no doubt this cigar will get a second look in the near future--though probably in larger ring gauge.

By the way, General Cigar's website http://www.cigarworld.com calls the Spanish Rosado "the richest cigar in the world". The name is derived from the spicy cameroon wrapper that is grown exclusively for General Cigar in the San Agustin Valley in Honduras.

Some miscellaneous reviews:

(1) Partagas Black

A $6 turd of a cigar. This one was packed so tight it was almost unsmokeable. And where was the famous Partagas flavor? Not nearly as complex as a JR Ultimate.








(2) JR Alternative – Montecristo #1

The same cigar as the Alternative Montecristo #2; just as good, only smaller.
























(3) Punch Rare Corojo Double Corona

This cigar started so wonderful. Smooth, strong, yet subtle... I had just lit this prize and was preparing to deal the first hand of Texas Hold 'Em, when a soured waitress made her rounds telling all smokers that cigars were not allowed in the main room of Fox 'N Hound. Of course, the three cigarette smokers at my table were welcome to continue killing us all with their secondhand Marlboro stench.

By the time the game was over and I re-lit this beauty, it had dried out, gone stale, and turned bitter. Never before have I mourned the loss of a stogie like this one...

I've fallen behind on my reviews, so here goes:


Brand: Partages Series D, No. 4 (Habana)
Size: 4.875" x 50
Price: $7 - $25 (illegal)

Dave Rassmussin, a fellow Texas Hold ‘Em player, gave me one of his smuggled Cuban PSD4’s to try, as I won $25 from him in a home game. Like most of the other cubans I’ve tried, this one was exemplary in its smooth taste, and its slow cool burn. My only complaint is that it was very bland, when I had heard that Partagas had strong flavor.



Brand: Flor de Oliva
Size: 6" by 48
Price: $2

This one was recommended by a man I met at Willie Moffat’s one night. I bought two of them the next day at The Tobacco Shop. For $2, I thought they might be worth it, but I was disappointed. Both of them were constructed very loosely, so it felt like sucking on an exhaust pipe. Tasted like one, too.

Brand: Punch London Club
Size: 5" x 40
Price: $1.20

Finally, I found the right size for my "halftime cigar". This Punch is certainly better than the Royal Jamaican Gaucho. Even though they are hotter than larger cigars, the small ring size gives it a tight draw, making it ideal for times when you want the taste of a cigar, without all the smoke -- such as when trimming the bushes or mowing the backyard.

Tonight, Let’s first talk about size:

For me, the perfect size of a "big" cigar is between 6 and 6.5" in length with a ring size of 50 (roughly the dimensions of the Montecristo #2). I call these my ballgame cigars because you can nurse them through a basketball game or at least half a football game. I’ve had good cigars that were larger (like a Punch Double Corona), but after a while even the good ones can become overkill.

A medium cigar should be about 5.5" in length, with a ring size of 44. These last 30-45 minutes and are perfect when you’re grilling chicken in the backyard. Examples of these are the Riata 400 series, the Fuente Breva Royale, and just about anything in the "corona" size.

But I am still looking for my "halftime cigar", something that tastes good and lasts less than 20 minutes. I don’t like cigarellos because they’re too small and taste like cigarettes. I’m thinking about trying some petite coronas or petite panatelas. I haven’t bought any yet but I’d like to try the JR Ultimate Habinito, Partagas Black Pronto, and Aristoff Cigarito.

Another possibility would be Consuegra No. 9 Rothschild –although they may be a tad too big. (Consuegras are the bundled segundos and production overruns made at the Villazon factory in Honduras - the makers of Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, El Rey del Mundo, JR Ultimates, etc.)

Now, on to the reviews:



1) Guantanamera Habana

My friend Anthony smuggled a few of these small Cuban cigars back from his vacation in Mexico. Although it was not a change-your-world cigar, it did share many of the characteristics of good Cubans: a slow cool burn; a mild relaxing flavor; and very little excess smoke.

2) Arturo Fuente Breva Royale
Size: 5.5" by 42
Price: $1.90

Nothing too fancy about this one, except it had a very nice golden brown wrapper. Very smooth, but it also committed two cigar sins: the second half burned too hot and bits of tobacco leaf flaked off into my mouth.


















3) Riata 400
Size: 4.5" by 44
Price: $0.80

These are tagged as "the best selling bundled Honduran cigar". They are made with medium filler leaves, rather than long filler. I’m about half way through the bundle of 20 I ordered. A very average cigar, but at a great price. They are well constructed, burn slowly, and don’t get too hot. Not bad tasting, although there is nothing particularly distinctive about them.

I should note that I ran across one bad apple, though – a hopelessly plugged cigar that wouldn’t draw and tasted downright foul. It was the only mar on an otherwise terrific night of tournament poker (I came in 1st place out of 50 at the Fox & Hound Pub).