Partagás Maduro nº 1 MSU OCT 19 (FFFRW)

[Edik]

I’ve decided to write about this habano because it was an extremely pleasant surprise to me. I’m usually suspicious of maduros, as in my experience they tend to provide a smoke that doesn’t evolve much. 

I chose this factory as it’s been the source of my best 2019 Bolivars and Partagás (my two favourite brands). In fact, the best batches of Libertador also came from it – February 19. 

The Maduro nº 1 has a gorgeous oily wrapper. The smell of this baby is simply incredible. If I close my eyes, it reminds me of a 70% cocoa dark chocolate. I literally feel like almost giving it a bite. Cold draw brings leather and cocoa.

First third

This is a special Partagás. Right from the start there’s the brand’s strong taste, but it’s somewhat tamed (actually an upper medium) and is so sweet. It feels like I’m smoking a chocolate liqueur. The smoke is so thick and beautiful. There’s also a faint taste that I can’t pinpoint exactly. Somewhat caramel but not exactly, it reminds me of my grandma’s milk pudding. The retrohale has a slight pepper taste, typical Partagás goodness.

The one unpleasant surprise is that this particular stick does not have a perfect burn line, unlike the other ones I’ve smoked. But not retouches were necessary. Honestly, it smokes so well that I have to pace myself not to smoke it too fast because it is delicious.

 

Second Third

The dark chocolate takes over. It’s significantly less sweet. I feel like I’m smoking a delicious dark chocolate bar. The smoke is just superb. I feel it’s oily wrapper come to life when touching my lips. The cigar is getting stronger. It feels like a meal.

 

 

Last Third

Wow, this is amazing. The pepper is back. It feels like I dipped a dark chocolate bar in a 30 year tawny porto. The flavours of the first two thirds all mix together, like in beautiful dance. Simply superb. No bitterness. I usually don’t like smoking much of the last third, as I find it lingers and makes wake up the next day with a weird taste in the mouth. Not with this one. I cannot waste any bits of it.

 

Verdict

A young cigar that smokes as a much older one. So deep and complex. Evolves over the smoke in a beautiful way. It deserves more attention than it’s currently getting. And hopefully an appearance in 24:24.

96/100 truly superb cigar, perfect for a late afternoon early evening smoke.

[Erm310mce]

Great review, thanks for writing. These were also a great surprise for me too, I can’t believe I waited so long to try one... then motored through the whole box