\'05 Partagas Serie D No.4

[CIGARHead]

I've had a box of these bad boys for just a few weeks and its half gone. These have become one of my favorite smokes yet. When I bury my nose in the box, just like I do the wifey's bosoms, and take a whiff it is dark chocolate in the barnyard....not the wifey fellas, the cigars.:wink:

Although full bodied, I dont find these as knock-yo-arse-out as some say. They do give the little head buzz, but only on an empty stomach. Does anyone know if they have changed the blend to make them more easy going?

And if you read this Tampa, please note that I will be aging the last half of the box 3-4 years....Don't want you coming after me:-D

[shrink]

CIGARHead wrote

"Although full bodied, I dont find these as knock-yo-arse-out as some say. "

Yes, I agree that there has been a change in the D4's over the past year or so. They are not as strong and "in your face" as in the past. But they are delicious ROTT. My guess is that this is part of a move by Altadis to make Cubans more smokeable as "freshies". There has been talk of longer, warmer leaf curing, the so called "cooking". In any event, these changes have positively influenced sales, since they don't have to be "put down" before being accessible. I have seen this change in a number of marques, such as Hoyos and others.

Ours is not to question why, just to enjoy, eh?

[CIGARHead]

» Ours is not to question why, just to enjoy, eh?

Shrink, I totally agree. I just finished another tonight before dinner. Just the right amount of kick, these PSD4s are great when young. I noticed a definite difference in the strength of this brand, but it is welcomed. I know that I once shyed away from smoking these as I though it my put me down to the ground, but I think it is a cigar to be smoked by all....or err not all....gotta save some fer me:-D

[Puffdaddy]

I personally think (but cannot of course prove) that its too early to determine if the blend was intentionally changed. Many factors, including the quality of the harvest in a particular year, can impact the qualities of the underlying tobacco. Back in '97 and '98, people complained about weak, lifeless blends and poor quality rolls as Habanos stepped up production to meet cigar boom demand.

Most of the so-called aged stuff from those years that is still avaliable smokes darn well. Consider that most of these boxes had to have most liklely been passed over at some point by some one, yet they are still darn good.

Perhaps more relevant is the fluctaution in strength and quality of the Monte #2 from '99-'01. Was the "blend" intentionally changed or was it a matter of a shortage of quality leaf for that blend?

The Monte #2 and D4 are two high demand international smokes. There's no way everybox will share the exact same strenth characteristic every year.

I am optimitic that the in your face D4 will be back before to long. These things go in cycles.

With the release of the P2, perhaps the supply of traditional D4 material was stretched even thinner.

-Jamie

[Mel]

Hey CIGARhead,

I have a box of freshies coming soon and can't wait to burn them ALL. I have some 03 aging so I will consume the news ones like the cigar **** that I am.

I got some of the SD#4 Reservas and I will "try" to use a small amount of restraint on them. They are smooth full of all kinds of that there flavors that BIG Ken G talks about. They ain't cheap either.

Mel.

[CIGARHead]

»They ain't cheap either.

I'll say, Mel. So did you get your grubby paws on a few of the Reserva's or did you spring for the box?

Let us know how they smoke. I am in pursuit of finding a few...don't know if I want to go all in on one box, although itd be nice...I...might...have..to...now. I tend to put cigars over the mortgage payment for me casa.

The fresh PSD4s have become a daily treat for me. I was going to save half the box I have, but I've already dipped in and took one. It soon will be time to order a few more boxes...I can hear the wifey now:-(

[Mel]

» »They ain't cheap either.

»

» I'll say, Mel. So did you get your grubby paws on a few of the Reserva's

» or did you spring for the box?

» »

I got a box. I knew that if I only bought two I would regret it. I have done that before especially half cabs. I do not split cabs anymore.

The one I smoked was very nice. Smooth but with plenty of power. There has been talk of a change in the blend to water them down. These are not weak. Chocalate delight is all I can remember. I will do another this weekend.

What also stood out was the perfect burn. I am nut about the cigar burning evenly and touch up cigars that others might not even notice. I think I put the torch to it one time just because I could not help myself. It did not need it.

If you want to break a box tell Rob to send you one ane me the other 19.

Take no sorrow for the death of your young SD4. They are rolling more today and your money is welcome down under.

Mel.

[CIGARHead]

I am fanatic about burn issues also. I touch 'em up if they get even a little out of line. Perfecionist I guess:-D

You lucky SOB! went in for the whole box did ya? Good move on your part I'm sure. I'll bet they are stoooooopendous!

Yes, I have come to the realization that my less-than-half full box of young PSD4s will be gone by next week. Like you said Mel, "they are rolling more today"...and I am workin more today to pay for my passion.

I think they have toned the PSD4s down a bit, but mine still have quite a bit of muscle depending on what I have eaten or drank prior to smoking one. Even if I dont smoke a PSD4 on a particular day, I open the box to smell that deep chocolate aroma. Just AMAZING:ok:

[tmos]

» CIGARHead wrote

» "Although full bodied, I dont find these as knock-yo-arse-out as some say.

» "

»

» Yes, I agree that there has been a change in the D4's over the past year

» or so. They are not as strong and "in your face" as in the past. But they

» are delicious ROTT. My guess is that this is part of a move by Altadis to

» make Cubans more smokeable as "freshies". There has been talk of longer,

» warmer leaf curing, the so called "cooking". In any event, these changes

» have positively influenced sales, since they don't have to be "put down"

» before being accessible.

I don't think "curing" is what you call it, and your 04's and some late 03's all went through the same thing. These are artificially aged to bleed out the impurities that some purists insist will affect the long term aging of the cigars.

Me, I'm no cigar ager. If I can get an older box, great. If not, great. I'm not picky and they 04's have all smoked great right away.....although curiously they aren't anywhere near what a good 98 is right now. Maybe they need to cook them a bit longer?