'99 Partagas 898 Varnished

[dangolf18]

I have the opportunity to buy a box of Party 898 with box code TEN CCUO (08/99, Artemisa I). Can anybody vouch for this year? Is '99 going far back enough to get that classic powerful Partagas flavor profile?

[nikesupremedunk]

99-01 production cigars may tend to be tightly rolled and even plugged completely. The smaller RG cigars seemed to suffer more than the larger RG cigars. I would still buy it, but just know you might have a few plugged sticks.

[westg]

Me personally..with this age on them. I would buy them. Don't be scared off from 99/ 01 production years. I have not had a bad box from that particular period. Best to be quick!

[CaptainQuintero]

Can you get a look and feel of them yourself first? That's the key for anything you have doubts over, failing that use a vendor you trust to make that choice for you, if you don't have those things then it's up to you whether you want to take a punt or not.

If it's a good vendor then the odds are probably in your favour

[dangolf18]

I trust my source very much. I've had '99 Famosos and '98 RyJ Cazadores from them and haven't had any plugged. Only cigars from those years that I've had bad luck with are '00 RyJ Churchill de Luxe (and I didn't get them from this source). Also the cigars are English Market Selection and price is pretty good at 165£. I think I might pull the trigger. Thanks guys.

[anacostiakat]

While I have had some luck with 99/00 stock there was a real problem with quality during those years. I honestly havent acquired any from those years in years.

If you can't examine them you have to be prepared for a box of tent pegs.

[Lotusguy]

Deleted - against forum rules. Sorry!

[Guest Robo]

I have a box of '99 Partagas 898 (don't have the box code). They start off a little mild but soon turn into a real gem. Here are my notes from my last smoking:

"The 8-9-8 tastes of old leather, toasted tobacco, hints of rustic barnyard, and vanilla. No harshness at all. Perfect draw and burn. The last third the flavors intensified and the strength picks up, left me with a nice buzz that you'd expect from a Partagas. At first the cigar was not performing but in the end it kicked ass! A true classic."

I would go for it if I were you.

[Tino]

A friend and I have had good results with 898 varnished 1999 singles bought in the UK, so I definitely wouldn't rule them out

[MPS]

Why bother when the new ones are so good?

[bassman]

I also have been enjoying a box of 99 Partagas 898s. Tossed the cardboard long ago so don't remember the code. They are mild-medium in strength, but have a wonderful sweet flavor & with half the box smoked, so far perfect draw & construction. VERY nice cigars.

[mk05]

Why bother when the new ones are so good?

+1

[maverickdrinker]

Why bother when the new ones are so good?

X2

[CaptainQuintero]

Buy what you like, like what you buy. Everyone else's opinion is pretty meaningless when it comes to your taste.

Hope you get a great box!

[PigFish]

I have smoked a lot of cigars from these tainted years. Some of the best cigars that I have ever smoked as a matter of fact.

If this were a Party Seleccion Privada I would say buy it. However since it is not and it is the 898, typically a good cigar, but one that I have found to be very inconsistent in 98-99. The exceptional out of the bunch were just that. The duds were really bad! There just did not seem to be a happy middle road with this particular cigar for me here.

Most of the 898's from these years that I have experienced were H&K EMS cigars. I can't say that I think there is any link to their performance and the knowledge of the importer but I thought I would add it to your knowledge base.

Cheers. -Piggy

[dangolf18]

Thank you fellas. I think I'm going to hold off. If I had the coin, I'd probably get them for the hell of it.

[bassman]

Smoked a 99 yesterday. Wonderful cigar. On the other hand, I had a box of 99 Seleccion Privadas & found them well constructed but pretty much devoid of flavor. You never know...

[Orion21]

Everything I have read about that period is that the blends are off and/or the rolls are hit and miss. And I know a member who bought some 2000 898's from a very trusted vendor and every one the the cigars was super tight or plugged. Unless it was Rob inspecting the box personally I wouldn't buy from that period because miamaipadronsmoker is right - current production is sooooo good. Cheers!