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Party Presidente 2018 (no box code – a gift from a brother) I have been waiting to fire up this 2018 Presedente and this review weekend provided a good excuse. Such high hopes. My early days were full of Fuente Hemmingways, as was my first box purchase. I have a tender spot in my heart for this shape. The stick fired up easily. Oh man, I really like the “burst” one gets from the light to the full draw once there is a full cherry. Only it didn’t happen on this one. As I soon discovered, this one had very hard draw a problem that plagued me throughout the burn. It was dark out when I started, but a warm evening on the start of Daylight savings time. I looked out from my porch and saw a slow moving whitish blob on my yard. Why wouldn’t you know it, a possum was out looking for dinner. Thankfully he did not join me on the porch – these things are mean – but it did make me think of Ken’s recent guest who was much better mannered. Initial taste on the Presedente was very nutty. It quickly transitioned to an earthy dry tea. Like a bag of Earl Grey that was left in a cup a bit too long. Interesting, but not something I was looking to repeat. Man, I just love the ring gauge, the length and the shape. Butoh, the draw was frustrating. First third was like drinking a shake through a straw. Finally I went inside and cut a full quarter inch off my prior cut. It helped a bit but not much. When I got to the final third, I could actually feel the hard lump – easlily an inch long. I was able to roll it around in a hard pinch to get a better draw, but still QC was clearly lacking. I was really excited to smoke this one. Was hoping it would become a new favorite. Between the poor construction (that draw was so bad I wanted to throw it away – something I have never done) and the lack of much development of the flavor (which was not interesting beyond the initial nutty draw), I can’tsay that I will be buying any of these anytime soon. With at least a full year of aging, I was really hoping for something special. Perhaps a dog turd unique among a box of pure breds, but it was what I smoked. Perhaps a PD4 tonight to get me back in the Party ways. very disappointed but I understand not every cigar is perfect. Maybe I’ll pick up a sixer of PSP next time around because I do just love the shape. But so many others that I know I love .... Having issues loading photos. Will reply w pics