Partagas Short OPU JUL 06 (FRC#2Jun24)

[TacoSauce]

A couple of reviews coming up for some "Short Smoke Specials" as the Lizards would say. One in the Cuban realm and one in the NC realm. Let's start with the Cuban.

Partagas Short OPU JUL 06 (++): This was a gift from fellow FOHer @Lamboinee (Thank you!) and is probably the oldest Habano I have ever smoked. Pre-light aroma and cold draw were both muted. After lighting, I immediately got a blast of black pepper and pencil shavings. A very unusual opening for a Cuban. It reminded me closely of the initial pepper blast that comes off of cigars in the Espinosa catalogue. The intensity reduced after the first half inch, but the overall flavor was the same.

This experience contrasts with newer vintages of Party shorts (ca. 2021-22) which have a much more floral and sourdough profile. As I approached the second half, the cigar remained peppery, but the flavor was rounded out with some fruit leather and a stronger earthy note. It remained this way until I nubbed it.

This was night and day different from present-day Partagas shorts and was much closer to a NC profile than I have ever experienced with my young stash of Cubans. This is my first glimpse into the often quoted saying that Cubans were so much stronger in yesteryear. From this experience, either there is some truth to that, or else the extensive aging resulted in the loss of the twang and floral character of the cigar.

[Habanoschris]

Good review - 06 approaching 20 years! 😮 Sounded kinda punchy for being 18 years old.

I actually found an appreciation for these more recently after getting an extremely good 2018 box. Bakery, sweet bread, baking spice, confectionery etc.

The gentleman I bought that box from on Bond Roberts seemed to be pretty savvy with these and had mentioned his opinion to me that for him. Partagas shorts peak after 5-6 years in terms of flavor 🤷‍♂️ In other words, he implied that Partagas Shorts have less aging potential and seem to over-mellow and loose flavor & his comment stuck with me..

I'm sure there are exceptions to this "rule" but wonder if anyone else has any experience enjoying them past 5-6 years /thoughts on this opinion?

[TacoSauce]

3 hours ago, Habanoschris said:

The gentleman I bought that box from on Bond Roberts seemed to be pretty savvy with these and had mentioned his opinion to me that for him. Partagas shorts peak after 5-6 years in terms of flavor 🤷‍♂️ In other words, he implied that Partagas Shorts have less aging potential and seem to over-mellow and loose flavor & his comment stuck with me..

I wish I could provide more insights on this experience and the comparison to other Party shorts of various ages, but I only started smoking CCs in 2023. So most everything I have tried is very young and fresh. A couple of FOHers have generously allowed me to sample some older sticks, but I don't have the experience to know what is "normal" in this space. I'm learning as I go!

In order to speed up my education I'm going to need each and every FOHer to mail me a 5-pack sampler of your very oldest Cuban cigars. This will allow me to kickstart the learning and allow me to post some deeper and more educated comparisons to the forum. I thank you all for your participation in this endeavor!  

[Habanoschris]

No problem, just forward me the expenses for over night shipping first and then wait patiently by your mailbox. 😛🤣

Seriously, very cool some members have sent you things 👌 this forum is a class act 😚💨

[TacoSauce]

1 hour ago, Habanoschris said:

Seriously, very cool some members have sent you things 👌 this forum is a class act 😚💨

Agreed! Although I think sometimes they do it out of rage. I keep posting reviews which they read with outrage and astonishment. Their blood pressure rises and they say to themselves, "This Noob clearly has no idea! What is happening to the state of our world!? I need to send this idiot a stick or two to try and set them straight." 

[Habanoschris]

Haha, well I wouldn't change your strategy then if I were you lol 😚💨

[Lamboinee]

14 hours ago, TacoSauce said:

his was a gift

I hope you enjoyed it! For what it's worth, a buddy and I have smoked Shorts from that same box followed by Shorts from 2018 box and we both found the older ones to be stronger than the newer ones...go figure. You're review inspires me to do a formal review of a 2006 as well. I'll be sure to tag you if I do.

[TacoSauce]

6 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

we both found the older ones to be stronger than the newer ones...go figure.

Thanks again for the opportunity to try this stick! I am glad to hear that my experience might not be that far off the mark. Looking forward to your upcoming review!