Partagas Lusitanias

[Cigar Surgeon]

Link to review with gallery: http://cigarfederation.com/profiles/blogs/review-partagas-lusitanias

These came to me by way of a 10 count box I purchased. For those that track box codes, the box code on this was AUB JUL 12. I had the fortune of trying these for the first time when I was in Cuba, in November of 2013. A generous BoTL gave me one and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasted no time in grabbing a box not soon after I flew home.

Granted this is all a fairly big spoiler leading in, I hope you still enjoy the review.

Nose:

A really great nose to start out here. A mixture of nuts and light cedar.

Construction:

The Partagas Lusitanias measures 7.64” (194mm) by 49 ring gauge and is officially marked as a double corona vitola.

The Lusitanias has a long production history dating back pre-1960. Until 1976 the vitola was 7.24” (184mm) x 50 ring gauge. They are available in a 25 count dress box and a 50 count cab. In 2006 the 10 count dress box was added to the available line up.

Flavor:

First Third

Right up front the Partagas Lusitanias starts out with that definitive sweet Cuban tobacco taste. There’s also notes of hay, and hints of grass. The sweet tobacco develops into some complex creaminess, and the hay becomes more pronounced as the first third progresses.

It’s a very subtle first third but extremely savory.

Middle Third

The nuts that I picked up in the nose show up in the second third. Still quite savory and although the flavors strength is quite light, the flavors blend together to be extremely complex.

Last Third

Still extremely complex going into the final third. The hay that was quite pronounced in the first third is almost undetectable by the final third.

Burn/Draw:

Excellent burn which surprised me given the significant length. The cigar held the ash well. I did have to purge just before the final third and relight. I attribute that to the cool weather I was smoking in. Total smoking time was 2 hours and 40 minutes. I feel like I could have slowed it down to almost 3 hours because I was enjoying the flavors so much.

Value:

A single Partagas Lusitanias, if you can find them, will range from $17 – $22. The 10 count dress box comes in at approximately $155. If you’re really wanting to stock up, the 25 count dress box is roughly $342. For the collectors that can’t get enough, you can step up the 50 count box setting you back around $655.

Once I smoke through my 10 count box I will almost certainly be picking up a 25 count box. Given how much flavor the Partagas Lusitanias delivers, I think the value is excellent. Although the price point is well into the premium end, I think it’s worth it.

Final Word:

If you’ve been paying attention in the review up until now, it’s pretty obvious that I fell in love with this cigar from the first time I smoked it. Partagas is one of those brands for me that always delivers. The Lusitanias really seems to be the flagship cigar for Partagas, at least as far as I’m concerned.

Although priced well into premium territory, I think this is an amazing cigar that you deserve to treat yourself with.

[SaintLuis]

One of my favorites. I have a few old ones I keep for the special occasion, or a long outdoor stint like barbecuing. I should probably start thinking about getting another box, so by the time i get to it, it'll have some age on it. These definitely mature fantastically.

Thanks for the review.

Saint

[mrsgucia]

Great review! Thanks

[fingerburner]

A true classic in the Cuban repertoire. I'm down to my last few in a ten box from MAR '12. Have been trying to stay calm on these but find them very good young (or at least this current box) and this review reminds me to stock up asap. Cheers for the review.

[KoreanCowboy]

I would love to have a Lusitanias that tasted like your review unfortunately for me the only 3 I've ever tried to smoke were all plugged and I didn't get past the first third on any of them. All 3 were gifted to me from a good friend and I lied to him and told him they were wonderful. I keep hesitating to purchase them because I'm afraid they will be plugged.

That being said, excellent review sir! You've almost inspired me to purchase some... almost.

[bugman78629]

I can't wait to try one........Great review Avrus.

[brutusthebuckeye]

Great review...I have one left from a 08 box...

[ElJefe]

So would you guys quantify the Partagas Lusitania as a mild or medium strength smoke? I'm just curious as I like full flavored cigars that build up to medium or medium full at most by the final third.

Also since the main flavors described are sweet cuban tobacco, hay, grassiness and creaminess, how does this compare against lets say the Cohiba Siglo Line?

I'm a big fan of Partagas Serie D No. 4's and Partagas Shorts. I dig the signature Partagas sweet bell pepper spice, white pepper, toasted sweet tobacco, woodiness, but from what I'm reading here the Lusitania seems to have a very different flavor profile all it's own?

Never had the pleasure of enjoying a Lusitania but I plan to fix that very soon.

Cheers.

[markmurase]

Thanks for the review. I love the Lusi - it's one of my favourite cigars

If you're looking for a 25 count box next time it would be a good idea to read Rob's monthy warehouse review. There was a period where the 10 count boxes of Lusis were generally better than the 25 count boxes. Of course, like all things Cuban, that can change so it's worth checking what is good at the time you're buying.

Enjoy the rest of those Lusis!

[nikonNUT]

I have yet to try a Lusi but I have been eyeballing a 10 count dress box for while. Excellent review and it makes me want to pull the trigger even more.

[stunod]

My absolute favorite regular production cigar. Probabily beacuse is't a two hour experience. You just don't pick one out of your humidor on a whim and start smoking it. The Luci is a planned out 2 hour event. I will decide a few day before when and where I will be smoking that cigar.

[Firebender]

All this talk got me started. 1" in and the aroma is epic..

[Habana Mike]

These are one of my faves. Getting low so just picked up a 50 cab from 2012, already smoking great,

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PapaDisco]

I have a box of AUB Sep 12 Lusitanias that smelled quite full on arrival 9 months ago and now are almost devoid of scent. And they went into the humi in a ziplock. Didn't smoke one on arrival or since. I've had other cigars that didn't deliver much of a cold scent that were wonderful once lit, so I'll be interested to see if the nose comes back on these and if this demonstrates the mythical 'dumb' period.

[Pedro2486]

I grabbed one of the Lusi GR that Rob had up and was going to smoke it today. What say you? Should I burn it or try to keep it for a few years first?

As always, a great review mate

[earthson]

Great review. Looking to score a ten box soon. Sure wish other prominentes came in ten boxes.

[CapoKing]

Great review!! I've got one of these from 08 I'm waiting to burn!!

[celtmick1984]

Thanks for the review!  Had one last night that was similar to your review (quite excellent, too bad I only had two hours) and have a box from OCT 2011 waiting for me when I get home.  Can't wait to see what nearly 5 years of locker age will do though I will at least for a couple of weeks and post my thoughts.  Thanks again!

Edited September 2, 2016 by celtmick1984
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