Partagas Serie E No. 2 LTO MAR 20 (OYMRW2)

[Tdm_86]

We knew that part 2 of this review series was coming and I already had the perfect cigar picked out. For this one, I chose a relatively young Partagas Serie E No. 2 that I’ve been wanting to sample. It’s definitely a larger ring gauge than what I typically reach for nowadays. But to me, the Serie E No. 2 is a very special and quite unique experience.

Tonight is a nice time to smoke this one as I have time to spare. I have been in the mood to smoke something rich and decadent and take my time doing it. Let’s see whether this one delivers. I paired it with a Manhattan, just because I was craving a Manhattan tonight.

Pre-light: 

Now this is a beautiful cigar, a nice chocolate brown wrapper. Perfectly formed and very evenly packed. It smells heavenly, a dark sweet barnyard aroma. After cutting it, the draw is just how I like it. The cold draw reveals a dark and sweet tobacco.

First third:

Upon lighting, the wrapper has a little trouble trying to burn. It just needs a little double puff to keep going. The flavors start out DEEP from the beginning, what a delectable cigar. It’s very creamy, thick smoke on the draw. On the palate there’s this bready note that’s slightly spicy. It might be the rye in my Manhattan that brings this out. Through this all there is this underlying sweetness that gives depth to the experience. I wouldn’t call it full-bodied, but it is on the fuller side of medium.

Second third:

The cream keeps on providing a richness to the smoke. The spice starts to kick up a notch. Now I find a touch of paprika on the palate and this rye-esque tingle. Everything still backed by the touch of sweetness that balances it all out. Still needs a double puff to keep going.

Final third:

Things kick up a notch once again, the smoke is still thick. There’s this slight mustiness that I usually get with aged tobacco. The spicyness has been ramping up to provide even more oomph. The sweetness now has a fleeting vanilla aroma which provides a very nice contrast. 

 

Conclusion:

Everything I expected. An extremely rich and satisfying experience that’s surprisingly smooth. For such a ‘young’ cigar, it’s remarkable how little edge this had. It’s easily in the top 3 cigars I’ve smoked this year. I ended up smoking this in 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

94/100

[SCgarman]

Nice review! Sounds like a very tasty cigar.

[Tstew75]

One of Cuba's best cigars, period. Great review

[karp]

Nice review! This is a great cigar and very smooth.

[Goodfortune]

Great review. Love these! 

[Chucko8]

Nicely done, great read thanks

[Tdm_86]

Thanks for the kind words people! 

[Tdm_86]

13 minutes ago, Lrabold89 said:

@Superhans got 50 minutes out of his E2 for review..interesting to see the difference

Now, I am a reasonably slow smoker. But 50 minutes is just blazing through. I don’t think I could do under an hour on a Robusto Extra even if I tried. 
Very interesting to see the difference indeed. I guess that was the whole idea of the competition series. 

[rjake100]

1 hour ago, Lrabold89 said:

puff it hard ...work it

No way Brosé

[Superhans]

2 hours ago, Lrabold89 said:

@Superhans got 50 minutes out of his E2 for review..interesting to see the difference

I’ve had a couple of E2s lately that burn pretty quick. Think the big ring gauges just handle the constant puffing a lot better without overheating and get carried away. Noticed the same on the Rio Seco.

[HarveyBoulevard]

1 hour ago, Superhans said:

I’ve had a couple of E2s lately that burn pretty quick. Think the big ring gauges just handle the constant puffing a lot better without overheating and get carried away. Noticed the same on the Rio Seco.

Smoke them how you want to.  I've had E2 last 50 minutes and I've had E2 that last 90 minutes.  I tend to smoke fast and a light pack will smoke more quickly than a firm pack.

Guys like to bust balls around here.  Some are just kidding...some are just kids...