Gents & Ladies - Partagas Serie du Connaisseur: Which ones should I get?

[CanuckSARTech]

Okay, here's a question I'll put out there...

Partagas Serie du Connaisseur cigars - I have an upcoming opportunity to buy a box or two, of any of the formats (No. 1, 2, or 3). Which should I get?

These are one of the few Partagas that I (*gasp*) haven't tried before. I've tried and liked just about any other Party out there, and I am a big fan of the more obvious heavy-hitters in the market - SDN4, SPN2, 898V, etc., etc. But I'm a bit in the blind with these. I can pretty much grab a box of any of these SdC's, either the No. 1, 2, or 3's, for a really decent price. I'm not looking to do this tomorrow - this is something that's on the horizon for later on this summer/fall.

I'm not huge on the longer, narrower cigars, such as these and Lusi's. I'm more of a robusto, piramide fan, although I do thoroughly enjoy a quality corona from time to time, and some longer stuff (Trini Ingenios, Lanceros, etc.) I actually thoroughly like as well.

But, not having a chance to specifically try these before, and knowing that time is potentially running out for these for me, which would you guys recommend the most? Which is the most prolific of the three?

[PigFish]

Well amigo the SdC Line is nothing like a Lusi!

My preference is for the #2 but that has a lot to do with cost performance and not relative to taste; I enjoy and smoke all three. If price is no object then get the #1. What could be better than a big dose of a good thing? If you enjoy the lanceros then the #1 should be right up your street.

I have found the #2 considerably less expensive and as I don't always have the time for a cigar like the lanceros or the SdC #1, the #2 turns out to be the best choice for me. While the #3 is an excellent cigar, I find them a bit costly for the size, pushing me again toward the #2 when I am looking to this line of cigar.

The fact remains that they are all excellent cigars with their own merits. You should not be disappointed with any. -Piggy

[anacostiakat]

I also prefer the #2 and pretty much for the same reasons. You really cant go wrong with any of them.

[CigarmanTim]

Never had the #1. Love the #2

[MontrealRon]

Well amigo the SdC Line is nothing like a Lusi!

My preference is for the #2 but that has a lot to do with cost performance and not relative to taste; I enjoy and smoke all three. If price is no object then get the #1. What could be better than a big dose of a good thing? If you enjoy the lanceros then the #1 should be right up your street.

I have found the #2 considerably less expensive and as I don't always have the time for a cigar like the lanceros or the SdC #1, the #2 turns out to be the best choice for me. While the #3 is an excellent cigar, I find them a bit costly for the size, pushing me again toward the #2 when I am looking to this line of cigar.

The fact remains that they are all excellent cigars with their own merits. You should not be disappointed with any. -Piggy

My own thoughts to a word.

I will only add that if it is within your budget, buy all three.

If you can only get two boxes, then #1 and #2;

if only one, it's a toss up.

On the other hand, if money is no object, get all that you can!

IMHO, there are no better cigars anywhere, at any price.

[CanuckSARTech]

My own thoughts to a word.

I will only add that if it is within your budget, buy all three.

If you can only get two boxes, then #1 and #2;

if only one, it's a toss up.

On the other hand, if money is no object, get all that you can!

IMHO, there are no better cigars anywhere, at any price.

I was leaning towards getting at least one, if not two boxes, of the #2. The #1's seem to be a rather long smoke, whereas the #2 is the same blend apparently, just an inch longer. Then, the #3 is shorter and smaller diameter, yet is slightly more expensive than the #2 (?!?!!!), but I guess that's attributed to a slightly different/stronger blend.

So, again, I was leaning towards the #2. Seems to be the best of all worlds from what people are saying.

Any other thoughts folks?? I appreciate the opinions so far.

[mm12]

I enjoy all 3 but if I were you, I'd go with the 1 and the 3. To me, the 1 has a slightly stronger/richer blend than the 2. The 1 is more earth/coffee where the 2 is more wood/cream to my palate. Also, I'm not crazy about the size of the 2. I usually either want a quicker smoke or a longer one. The SdC 2 sort of falls into a no man's land for my smoking habits. If/when I do want a 6.5 inch smoke, I'd rather just go for a lonsdale or dalia. As for the number 3, it's pretty much my all time favorite small-format cigar. Very rich earthy/spicy/chocolaty blend. I used to smoke the 3s more often than anything else until they got discontinued. Now I'm a little more judicious about when I smoke them.

[cigcars]

Whichever one has the thicker girth

[El Presidente]

If you are buying blind then the number 2 (less construction issues).

If you have a choice instore then it is a matter of wrapper, construction and aroma. If Duty Free (in most DF stores)...pass.

[Stalebread]

The #2 was my choice when faced with this decision.

For me, it was based on smoking a few singles of each along the way.

I took size into consideration, too -- the #1 was too long for my preference and the #3 too skinny.

[samb]

Go for the number 3!!!!! The smaller size of this cigar allows even the time restricted smoker to be able to enjoy an outstanding smoke in not a lot of time.

[CanuckSARTech]

If you are buying blind then the number 2 (less construction issues).

If you have a choice instore then it is a matter of wrapper, construction and aroma. If Duty Free (in most DF stores)...pass.

Rob, in your knowledge, have there been construction issues with the #1 and 3's?

I am leaning towards the #2 still. I like larger ring gauges, so I think I'd find the 3's too small for my liking.

And Rob, no, it's not really an in-store choice. My normal supplier is out of these, and I see that you don't have any more of these listed either. Also, my local b&m LCDH only has a box of #3 left, and they've definitely cranked up the pricing. This is from an associate of mine who bought a couple boxes of each when they were announced to be closing out. He doesn't really smoke them too often though, and so he offered to me that I could buy one of my choices of the 3 at the same price he got them for, as long as I bring him a bottle of rum back from Cuba when my wife and I go there next in November.

They all look beautiful, he's noticed no draw/construction issues in his. I think the #1 and #2's are late 2007 box dates, and the #3 was early 2008, IIRC.

[CanuckSARTech]

The #2 was my choice when faced with this decision...I took size into consideration, too -- the #1 was too long for my preference and the #3 too skinny.

That's exactly where I'm at on this, mentally.

Go for the number 3!!!!! The smaller size of this cigar allows even the time restricted smoker to be able to enjoy an outstanding smoke in not a lot of time.

But, I don't allow myself to be time-pressured when smoking a stick. I take my time and enjoy it. And the price variance compared to the #2 - the two has more "smoke" for less money.

But the #1 is just a bit much, I think. When I want a long, long smoke like that, I have tons of selection available to me in my humi of different Churchills and the like.

[shrink]

I smoke more No. 2's than No. 1's, but it's not because of the time factor. I just happen to have more of them.

Still, there's nothing quite like the No. 1 when it comes to a "journey". The development and complexity of the cigar transcends anything you can experience in a shorter smoke. You owe it to yourself to have at least one box of these all-time classics.

[dizedean]

Never having smoked a 1 I am not the best to answer.

But I have always enjoyed the 3 better than the two..

The 3 was ans is one of my favorite smokes.

Just my two cents.

DSS

[MontrealRon]

Still, there's nothing quite like the No. 1 when it comes to a "journey". The development and complexity of the cigar transcends anything you can experience in a shorter smoke. You owe it to yourself to have at least one box of these all-time classics.

So true!

I smoked my first #1, bought that day at the Partagas factory, at the Tropicana Club.

It lasted as long as the show, a good two hours, and was just as memorable an experience.

It is not an everyday cigar for me,

just as my oldest and most expensive wines are not opened with a mid-week roast chicken.

But on that special occasion, especially when sharing with a great friend,

it is, to my taste at least, as good as it gets.

[Habanoslover]

Having only tried the #2 and the #3 I would say the #3 for my tastes. I seem to get more of the classic Partagas taste from the 3. I also think the wrapper really shines on the smaller format.

[thechenman]

I've smoked all three of them, and my first choice would be #1 if time and money are nto the issue. The #2 would be my second choice followed by #3.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

Go for all three before they vanish forever.

[CBL]

I agree that you should go for all 3 given the opportunity, but if you can only choose one I'd go for the number two and give them some time to mature. I've smoked a couple of each and once smoked a number 2 with some age on it (without a band so from before 2005 I think?) and it was hands down the best cigar I smoked in Cuba!

I'm also trying to complete the set while I still can, just one more box to go! (SDC 3)

[CanuckSARTech]

So, with everyone's thoughts, here's what I was thinking of...

To look at getting a full 25-box of the No. 2's, and then to keep my eye out in the very near future for a small remnant box of the No. 1's (don't know if there was a 10-box released in these recently).

Sorry to those who voted for the No. 3's - they're just not my thing, too small for my tastes.

[Mel]

#2 has the best length to girth ratio and fewer construction problems than the other two. I have not found then blend very different between the three so it is more a size issue.