Partagas Serie P No.2 TUA NOV 21 (XNY23)

[Tradesman]

I've had younger expressions of this and I haven't yet "got it", but it's always been a pleasant smoke. Revisiting this now after CA's Top 25.

First third: Starts off with a creamy nut profile with some wood. No sweetness yet but knowing the P2 I expect some to come in later.

Retrohale on the first inch is surprisingly spicy, but otherwise it's mainly a cedar/woody character.

Second third: Nutty and woody core continues, creamy profile takes a step back and slight sweetness enters the scene. No pepper on the palate. 

As I reach halfway, a definite mineral character shows up. 

Retrohale is spicy enough to where I don't want to do it often, still woody as the core.

Long finish of sweet nuts.

Final third: Maybe it's the youth of the cigar, but picking up some bitter notes around here. I've had the same happen with my other P2's in the past but it's not a note I enjoy. 

Somehow the spice on the retro has cooled back down here. It started off strong, got stronger, now it's mellowing out. 

But otherwise, profile here is nutty with the bitter harshness as the backdrop. Finish is still nutty but no longer so sweet.

Overall I give this a 85 as it stands.

Enjoyable in the first couple thirds but falls off at the end. Perhaps due to youth. I think this will age itself off with another 2-3 years.

And unfortunately, I still don't "get" this yet, and definitely prefer other Pyramides...but excited to see how this ages in the future since it's held in such high regard!