Partagas Shorts 2022 (RMRRW)

[ayedfy]

Partagas Shorts. Box code unknown, purchased as single 2022.

Opening third: sweet pastries. The initial note of baked goods allowed the power of suggestion to detect sourdough, which is there (and particularly on the aroma), but on further consideration there’s a definite sweetness that leads me more to dessert pastry, particularly Swedish vanilla custard tarts, maybe even something with a hint of coffee cream. Medium bodied. Construction-wise, burn is pretty uneven but draw is perfect.

Middle third: the hints of coffee cream have developed into a more obvious and forward note of freshly-ground coffee. Sweetness has rolled off now and the bakery is firing up the oven with a more toasty character taking the reins. Body dropping to a light-medium, burn has corrected. Wrapper a little dry and cracking - I dry boxed this about six hours based on some other sticks in my humi that needed it; I don’t think this did.

Final third: surprising and unexpected sweet turn unlike the baked tarts from the opening. It’s midway between a mellow fresh fruit and confectionary. Despite not having one in over a decade my brain went straight to juicy fruit chewing gum, perhaps also some fresh rockmelon. Body still light-medium as it closes out, with a brief return of the toasty character towards the end, although this time more of a charred oak angle.

For a cigar that’s a) at a reasonably accessible price point, b) in high enough production to find (relatively) easily, and c) so widely appreciated, I struggle to see what my review could really add that anyone still reading doesn’t already know. But I’ve done plenty of useless reviews before - I still enjoy putting them under the microscope for my own pleasure. Especially when they’re this nice.

I bought two singles of these having never tried before, and I thoroughly enjoyed both. Love the size, love the flavour profile, even some unexpected development throughout despite the smaller size. Fun little stick, need to hunt a cab one day.

88/100