2014 Edicion Limitada Partagas Seleccion Privada (FRW)

[maverickdrinker]

 

The wrapper is a leathery chestnut hue. Fairly smooth to the touch. Construction is good. Overall, firm throughout the cigar with a slight soft near the foot of the cigar. The triple cap looks great and the foot is packed. Milk chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and a touch of barnyard emanate from the wrapper.

 

A quick twist from my Siglo multi punch and we are ready to roll. The draw is nice. Slightly open but should be fine. Leather, earth and hints of cocoa come from the cold draw.

 

First Third

Black pepper, expresso, leather, earth and a touch of molasses form the initial flavour profile. Strength is at a medium bodied level.

 

The retrohale seems tempered. Layers of black pepper, cocoa, leather and earth move meekly through the nasal passages.

 

The after finish is perplexing. Black pepper, cocoa, leather and earth, followed by touches of molasses, light oak and eucalyptus. Very smooth. The medium bodied strength level allows the flavours to meld on the palate. The perplexing part is the smoothness of the flavour profile. No harshness to speak of and a little lighter on the palate, despite the core flavours being there. Impressive.

 

Second Third

Beautiful flavour profile that balances well with the strength level. I keep wondering when that Partagas kick will come into play. The smoothness and crispness of the flavour profile is impressive however, I don’t get that extra oomph that you get with Partagas.

 

The retrohale is consistent with the first third. Black pepper, cocoa, leather and earth move easily through the nasal passages.

 

The after finish is equally consistent. No one dominant flavour. Everything gets equal billing. Very smooth and sleek on the palate. No harshness to speak of. Strength level has toned down. At the lower end of medium bodied but still has enough to let the flavours gently envelop the palate. Smoking well but missing that Partagas kick...

 

Final Third

Consistent keeps coming up in my head as I smoke this. It’s Partagas but not Partagas if that makes sense. The core flavours are there but the Partagas kick is not.

 

The retrohale and after finish continue to deliver a great flavour profile. Well balanced with the lower end of medium bodied strength level. The only key difference is that the molasses note picks up and rounds out the white pepper, earth, leather and cocoa. The touches of eucalyptus and light oak complete the flavour profile. An easy finish to this journey.

 

Final Impressions

I’m conflicted by this cigar. Nice flavour profile and lasting on the palate. Smooth and very easy to enjoy. Decent level of complexity and nuance. No harshness to speak of. Lacks a little in the strength department but decent overall. I am baffled about the overall experience.

 

The conflict is that it doesn’t speak Partagas to me. That amplified kick that leans towards the white pepper, leather, earth and cocoa isn’t there. It’s like listening to a great song where the volume is too low. You recognize the beat but can’t hear the words to accurately know what the song is.

 

Maybe that’s what people were referring to when the newer cigars are smoking better at a younger age. What I am unsure of is the ability to age, seeing how well they are smoking now. Maybe this is the new world order. Maybe the strength will pick up and the volume gets turned over with more years in slumber. Only time will tell.

 

 

 

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[NSXCIGAR]

The few I've smoked tasted almost exactly like some 07-08 898s I smoked around the same time (16-17). I couldn't believe how much the Privadas seemed to have so much age on them. I also agree, they were not strong and I would say medium to just under medium. 

[houdini]

One of my favorite LE's

[Habana Mike]

Now I don't know whether to keep or BR my locker box....