Partagas Short UBM FEB18 (MPCRW)

[Str8BlkCoffee]

I had planned to take a bunch of photos but in my excitement of my planned note taking and rush to light this gem up I forgot my camera and by the time I reached my smoking chair I had realized my error. Today was also leg day in the gym so the prospect of climbing stairs and walking back to the lift to my apt in the 107*F heat of the Kuwaiti evening I decided to forgo the photo session, so I apologize.

I picked this cab up from our host and has been improving the more I dig into it. The roll was nice and tight and the head was a tad hard. Several from this cab had been spongy and required a pinch to keep the airflow down to obtain a decent draft and avoid the wind tunnel. 

I punched this one and the draw was pretty tight so I utilized my Prefect Draw to remove a few bits of tobacco from the head and we were off. 

The nose was barn yard. Cold draw was hay. Toasted with my torch and we were off. The first 1/3rd was paprika, rich tobacco, and a slight toasted sour dough, giving way to baked short bread. Burn was even and the ash held on strong and required coaxing to drop. Once it did the ember even and just above the edge of the cigar. Heavy retrohale was very spicy and brought out some black pepper. I found that smaller puffs being retrohaled was preferred and kept the spiciness at bay.

2nd third and the spicy paprika began to give way leaving heavy baked shortbread, touch of leather, some nut, and a hint of honey comb. Retrohale brought the spiciness back but not like the 1st third.

Final third was honey and nut. I kept thinking back that it reminded me some a sweet I used to eat. During a pause it hit me, Bit-O-Honey! This lingered throughout the end of the cigar. I nubbed it until the Bit-O-Honey flavor was subsiding being replaced by rich tobacco and the paprika spice returned. Retrohale on the nub was heady with a wasabi like experience. A few more puffs and the honey comb lingered on the back of my palette and I was done.

These are becoming one of my favorite cigars. I am about 1/3 through this cab and will be picking up more so I came age the rest. Fantastic smoke.