Didn’t expect that!

[ayepatz]

Just smoked a Partagas Petit Corona Especiales that I picked up from a tobacconist in Dresden. There’s not much in the way of good CC shops in this town, so I thought, colder weather moving in now that I should try some smaller vitolas I hadn’t sampled before.

I wasn’t expecting much given such a low price point, and I hadn’t read much about this particular cigar anywhere.

Despite a shoddy burn requiring regular touch-ups (blame the fact that I was smoking in a fairly gusty wind), and a pretty loose draw, I was very impressed with the flavour.

Initial notes of cream, leather and pepper persisted throughout, but I tasted something I hadn’t experienced before in other cigars - a flavour that put me very much in mind of condensed milk. Sweet milkiness, for want of a better description.

Combined with the Eminentes size (42 x 132), which sits so well in the hand, I have to say that this cigar defied all expectations. I will need to try another one under much calmer smoking conditions.

Which cigars have you smoked that defied all expectations?

[PabloJr]

May need to give this one a try. Thanks for the recommendation

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[JohnS]

I would have to say that the one cigar that completely defied expectation, in my recent memory, was a 2002 Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleur. It was full of cherry flavour, which was genuinely a surprise. I was expecting something akin to pale, aged toasted tobacco. 

[Jbhunter223]

Bought a single upmann coronas minor on vacation earlier this year. Way better than I expected, wish I knew the date on it. Will defiantly pick up a box when I can. 

[garbandz]

I regularly smoke the small RyJ, (MF,PC,Tubo 1&2)  and have been quite happy with the flavors and draw.

seldom get a bad one (plugged) and they pick up nicely with 2 to 4 years of age.

ditto the Partagas small sticks.

recently I had a dismal box of Super Partagas as concerns the construction,but the flavors were wonderful.

for me the petit coronas and minutos are ideal.

[CaptainQuintero]

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

I would have to say that the one cigar that completely defied expectation, in my recent memory, was a 2002 Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleur. It was full of cherry flavour, which was genuinely a surprise. I was expecting something akin to pale, aged toasted tobacco. 

Freshies are equally as good, a real gem hidden in a cheap box 

[CaptainQuintero]

I've been similarly enjoying a few Partagas Habaneros; very similar profile to what your describing. 

[luv2fly]

I have always enjoyed these gems. I need to get a few boxes soon.

[Danimalia]

Nice. Seems like the cheaper and smaller Partagas are generally well-loved. Think I might need to grab a box of these. 

[Doctorossi]

I love that creamy almond/cherry taste on a lot of ~corona-sized RyJs. Makes for a great afternoon picnic cigar.

[Islandboy]

I actually went into my recent one and only Quai d’Orsay Corona with pretty high expectations based on the descriptions by others...and was surprised with the better-than-expected results. It was like a perfectly blended best of Classic Cohiba/Trinidad/HdM profile. I’ve since secured a box in my humi, and have 2 more on the way. Probably a bit naive of me, but one can only hope they all taste as good as that first one. 

[ErikB]

Aaah the PC Especiales .... would take those with me in the nuclear shelter


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[ayepatz]

Was hoping for a similar surprise from my first HU Regalias today, and whilst it was well constructed and quite pleasant, it didn’t have the wow factor. Will definitely seek out some more of those PPCE, though.

[Fugu]

43 minutes ago, ayepatz said:

Was hoping for a similar surprise from my first HU Regalias today, and whilst it was well constructed and quite pleasant, it didn’t have the wow factor. Will definitely seek out some more of those PPCE, though.

At the same price (or even cheaper) check out the Majestics, and you'll have your surprise-effect. The Regalias has always been a lackluster cigar for me.

[99call]

not that its particularly a cheap smoke, but I think Picadores with a few years on them, are out performing lots of primo cigars right now. I'm trying to keep my hands off them, but i was half a box down within a week. 

When I bought them, I hoped they would be a good bang for your book, medium range cigar..........they are sooo much more than that.

[ayepatz]

1 hour ago, 99call said:

not that its particularly a cheap smoke, but I think Picadores with a few years on them, are out performing lots of primo cigars right now. I'm trying to keep my hands off them, but i was half a box down within a week. 

When I bought them, I hoped they would be a good bang for your book, medium range cigar..........they are sooo much more than that.

Got a box from EOT AGO 15. Tried one ROTT and enjoyed it, but have been sitting on the box since then. Might be time for a revisit! Cheers mate!

[99call]

4 minutes ago, ayepatz said:

Got a box from EOT AGO 15. Tried one ROTT and enjoyed it, but have been sitting on the box since then. Might be time for a revisit! Cheers mate!

I definitely think they are on a different maturing cycle to the PLPC's. It's just nice to to get something with a sweet profile that isn't £20 a cigar. How did your ERDM Lonsdales work out? did you crack into them, or are they continuing their snooze?

[ayepatz]

3 minutes ago, 99call said:

I definitely think they are on a different maturing cycle to the PLPC's. It's just nice to to get something with a sweet profile that isn't £20 a cigar. How did your ERDM Lonsdales work out? did you crack into them, or are they continuing their snooze?

It was RG Lonsdales, mate, and they are crackers! I was surprised, as they are from the period of dodgy tight rolls, but the few I’ve smoked so far have been wonderful. If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, you’ll have to try one!

[Rustyman]

On 27/10/2017 at 4:48 AM, CaptainQuintero said:

I've been similarly enjoying a few Partagas Habaneros; very similar profile to what your describing. 

Going to split a box with a relative in Europe.  Do you mind describing the profile in a bit more detail.

[99call]

9 hours ago, ayepatz said:

It was RG Lonsdales, mate, and they are crackers! I was surprised, as they are from the period of dodgy tight rolls, but the few I’ve smoked so far have been wonderful. If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, you’ll have to try one!

Thats very nice of you mate, likewise, if you're ever up North, you can feel free to pilfer my Humidor. 

[Smallclub]

On this forum we are always complaining about HSA – most often for good reasons; but we have to admit at least one fact in their favor: they're doing a great job with the entry-level cigars. The cheapest Partagas, Upmann, RyJ, have rarely been so good… although  the lack of consistency in the same box is always a constant…

[Fugu]

1 hour ago, Smallclub said:

On this forum we are always complaining about HSA – most often for good reasons; but we have to admit at least one fact in their favor: they're doing a great job with the entry-level cigars. The cheapest Partagas, Upmann, RyJ, have rarely been so good… although  the lack of consistency in the same box is always a constant…

True, and I'd extend that to small(er) cigars in general.

[CaptainQuintero]

On 28/10/2017 at 12:45 AM, Rustyman said:

Going to split a box with a relative in Europe.  Do you mind describing the profile in a bit more detail.

Mine started off with the typical Partagas spice and cream, a touch of sweet fruit and pretty much stayed like that until the final third where the cream went and berry fruits took over.

They're not going to win any evolution of flavour competitions, but that's their charm

[Rustyman]

5 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

Mine started off with the typical Partagas spice and cream, a touch of sweet fruit and pretty much stayed like that until the final third where the cream went and berry fruits took over.

They're not going to win any evolution of flavour competitions, but that's their charm

Thanks for the feedback @CaptainQuintero

Yes, I understand they are short smokes and that is precisely what I am looking for.  I love the classical Partagas flavours of the D4 and E2 but I cannot smoke those everyday.

In terms of strength, would you rate them as medium or closer to full?

 

 

[PapaDisco]

On 10/26/2017 at 9:30 AM, JohnS said:

I would have to say that the one cigar that completely defied expectation, in my recent memory, was a 2002 Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleur. It was full of cherry flavour, which was genuinely a surprise. I was expecting something akin to pale, aged toasted tobacco. 

I concur on the Mille Fleur.  Young they're spicy to harsh, but a bit of time down and they are tasty little sticks.  Same with the Partagas Coronas Major, but this one retains its spice even in old age, just a better balance.