CIgar Review Competition

[mk05]

Rob asks to review a favorite, and I shall oblige. Among several others usually found in my signature, I love the Partagas Super Partagas. They are relatively easy to source, cheap, and always delightful. It is undoubtedly, one of my favorite cigars. Whenever I order, I buy 3 boxes of cigars I like to smoke. I put 2 away, and smoke 1 - when that one is gone, I order another 3. I've done that for all favorite my cigars, and it has allowed me to learn - arguably what one must know - the language of the cigar, in order for it to be coined, your favorite cigar.

As for the marca of Partagas, it is hard to really compare the old marca to the new. The post '99 blends are a pale shadow of the old, especially the Lusitanias, D4s, and 898s. However, there were only a couple remnants that mimicked the old blends well. They are the SdCs, Super Partagas, Shorts - but these all endeavored to mimic a certain spectrum of the old Partagas, not the entire package...but that's another issue entirely, isn't it. Well, the history of the Super Partagas (SP) can be found at Trevor's site; Specifically that this used to be machine made until 2002. My understanding of these cigars begin from boxes dated 2005 and on.

The Super Partagas is a quirky fella. It will be a mystery every time you purchase a box. One box of a month will be the most glistening, vein-free, dark wrappered cigars you will see, looking like a miniature D4. Another box of the same month will have veiny, green spotted, or even green-hue wrapped cigars with no real aroma. (I have tried to show three sticks, which to the eye are extremely different. Left being pristine, middle veiny, and the right one that shows a greenish hue) But you will come to realize, that with these cigars, looks aren't everything. No matter how ugly or beautiful, the cigars will always be just a tad different each time. Because of this "stigma" of variability - akin to the growing pains of the ERdM CS - I think this will only become a cult favorite.

The SP's are either spectacular from the light, or a dud - there is no "in between." I would say in a box of 25, you are bound to have a bad one in every 8. There are variations, and I will list as many as I recall, but the most recurring theme is sugar, and it will be seen at the end; all vary, but become the same after the second 1/3.

When the stick is rolled as it should be, Young SP - about 6mo to 3yrs old - starts off immediately with profound flavor. One variation starts as pure burnt cane sugar. Very clean. No other flavors. Just a hilarious, pure sugar experience. Another tastes of a sugary pumpkin pie. Some will be chalky and taste like marzipan. A very eccentric stick will taste like coca cola. However, most in the box will invite with a blast of burnt sugar, creme, vanilla, a little bit of cashew - or more easily relatable as "burning marshmellow." This is the flavor profile until about a 1/3 in, and then it mutes. If you tasted anything other than some sour tobacco or chewing tobacco, I would be surprised. As you approach the band in a hurry in the last 1/3, the cigar awakes, showing a heap of white pepper (this is just lighter version of black pepper spice, as in it doesn't make you tear), sour tobacco (brightness, or citrus aspect), and a little bit of an oily nut. A quick clear shows that this cigar will eventually taste of roasted almonds, rich tobacco, heavy creme with age. No real coffee, chocolate, or earthiness. A "dud" - if you will - perform much like an ERdM CS dud. It is leathery, sour tobacco, some nuttiness, and some earthiness - your basic dud.

Aged specimens of SP (3+ yrs) is a treat. No matter how ugly, veiny, green dotted, these guys are your indispensable overtime workers. From the first light, all you taste is a beautiful mellow flavor of fresh marshmellows in a bag. There is no sourness or acrid trace. No burnt aftertaste or roasted nuts. All flavors are now very robust and smooth. The second 2/3 is starting to develop, I think it will still require several more years for it to get more refined. The last third gives you a nice, rich, roasted almond milk (if you can imagine that) profile.

To me, these cigars are gems. There's so much tiny variabilities within a box, that you can't get tired of them. When I bring a box to share amongst friends, everyone has a different opinion about the flavors - especially the one who got the dud.

[Charltonc]

Looks like a great cigar to try. It is on my list.

[isa]

Wow, thats some analysis - advanced stuff, i must say - thanks

[ksblazer]

Great review

I've noticed in the past that you have mentioned they are one of your favorites. So I'm glad that you did a review so I can get a better understanding of the profile of them.

Sounds like I need to get a box and give them a try.

[Geo17pip]

Great review MK. A must try cigar for me.

[sighuber]

Thanks for the review. I've never tried one of these but really like the Partagas marca.

[canadianbeaver]

Thanks for such a detailed and educational review. So even the dud is passable and smoked?

[phoenix]

Mmmmm. Smoors?

Sounds like I just found my next acquisition!