Partagas Serie D4

[Ken Gargett]

I can fully understand if some members of the forum are sick to death of hearing about the Festival and our recent trip to Cuba (almost all of the reviews I have posted of late have been of cigars from that trip). Well, anything I can do to help promote the place, I will. They need the tourism and you’d love it. With that precursor apology, if anyone still feels like that then stop reading now. Smoked this while slowly being punted back to base after a day’s bonefishing on the flats of Las Salinas. Fishing, and life, not only doesn’t get better, it rarely comes close. I suspect that even our Grand Poobah would agree with that.

To the cigar - what a mouthful these are. I found it extremely full-flavoured and powerful. My only problem was a crooked burn but to be fair, that was more likely as a result of me trying to light the thing in a breeze rather than because of any inherent flaw in the cigar. Very dark wrapper, which promises much (not sure why a dark wrapper seems to promise more than one that isn’t but perhaps that is just me). This was very young (smoking it so young was hardly doing it justice) and the draw was a little tough but there is endless potential here. Lots of spice, earth and dark chocolate. One for when you are after something that you won’t forget for a while. As for the burn, it soon righted itself and the cone was terrific. 89+.

Rob: Forgive the burn. Ken was lighting up in a 10 km hr breeze...that and the fact that he can't cast for c@%p meant that the cigar never had a chance of burning straight.

Las Salinas is my favourite destination for Fly Fishing. Guide poleing you through the foot deep water...flamingoes to your right, bonefish everywhere. The D4 is a nice accompanyment. Life is good 90.

[Ken Gargett]

so the "No denigration of race or religion, lack of fishing ability, slow racehorses or poor spelling" rule didn't take long to go out the window. and if i'm that awful, how come that the only photos of successful bonefish fishermen up in your store for the last two years have been.... me!

[froghair]

the D4's are a great cigar as well. a few years ago i found that they always blew my head off. maybe there not as strong or maybe the more i smoke the more accustomed to the power im becoming, but the ones from 04 i have are quiet mild and great to smoke

[idesign]

I smoked my first PSD4 last week. Blew me away with flavor and balance. Not as powerful as I've heard some people make them out to be, but not weak by any means. 04 production and it was great. Cigar was courtesy of TMOS. Thanks...

[Ginseng]

» I smoked my first PSD4 last week. Blew me away with flavor and balance. Not

» as powerful as I've heard some people make them out to be, but not weak by

» any means. 04 production and it was great. Cigar was courtesy of TMOS.

» Thanks...

One of my all time favorites. Powerful, flavorful, accessible.

[smk819]

Ten arrived today, a little rest and I will be torching one up.

[mgillett]

Ok, I had one of these about a year ago and it damn near laid me out. I have only recently worked up the courage to have another go so bought a couple of sticks to see if I can handle it this time. However, have been hearing on this forum that they can have an extended sick period. The sticks I bought are from May 05 so should I be laying these down and for how long? Couldn't really detect any ammonia smell...

[Ginseng]

» Ok, I had one of these about a year ago and it damn near laid me out. I

» have only recently worked up the courage to have another go so bought a

» couple of sticks to see if I can handle it this time. However, have been

» hearing on this forum that they can have an extended sick period. The

» sticks I bought are from May 05 so should I be laying these down and for

» how long? Couldn't really detect any ammonia smell...

If you only have a few sticks, I'd put them up. I'd say your odds at an enjoyable experience are better in this case.

[Van55]

One of my first investments in Cuban cigars consisted of three boxes of PSD4. They were great initially, but since have gone into a lengthy dumb period. Disappointing. I hope they come around.

That said, I smoked one from the Robusto Seleccion some months ago and it was spectacular.

[Andyman]

I had this sitting in my humi for about 6 months trying to get past the sick period.. so at about 14 months of box age I gave it a try. Hmmm.. Since it is my first I can't say for sure but seems a little sick to me.. Not a lot of flavour to start. Has a bit of an acrid taste to it.. About half way it started to build in flavor. By the end it had turned into a decent smoke. i will let the others sit another 6 months and try it again.

Gave it an 85

[kab55]

Got a box for 98 that is smoking really nice, well half a box now :-(

[josie67]

I finally got 5 of these the other day, and hopefully this time I will like them. The last 2 orders ( from way back in 1998 and 2000) were just not to my liking. I will try one this weekend and let you alll know how it smoked.

[Sean9689]

I smoked a '95 a week or so ago and currently have 4 boxes that are pre-02. This cigar is good fresh, but "money" when 5+ years out.

[Shiba]

They will come back around... just give it time and then they will be better than ever in my opinion :-)

[waldo]

The D4 is a staple in my humi. I'm kind of surprised that you had draw problems with yours Ken. I don't ever recall smoking a D4 with draw issues. If anything, I think they tend to be a bit on the open side.:-|

[Shiba]

» The D4 is a staple in my humi. I'm kind of surprised that you had draw

» problems with yours Ken. I don't ever recall smoking a D4 with draw

» issues. If anything, I think they tend to be a bit on the open side.:-|

Out of all the ones I have had, I experienced the same thing... No draw problems whatsoever!!!

[Guest gorob23]

The D4 was my FIRST cuban smoke. I have loved each and everyone since. I have never had a problem at all with this one..which reminds me I should probably see about another box ;-)

Rob

[shrink]

What is happening to the sick period?

mgillet wrote:

Ok, I had one of these about a year ago and it damn near laid me out. I have only recently worked up the courage to have another go so bought a couple of sticks to see if I can handle it this time. However, have been hearing on this forum that they can have an extended sick period. The sticks I bought are from May 05 so should I be laying these down and for how long? Couldn't really detect any ammonia smell...

I would like to comment on this issue, referencing the cigar that I know best: the PSD4. I have smoked from four boxes. all stored at 60-70 degrees / 65 %:

1. MAR04 - After smoking a few, they became noticeably "sick" or muted in late '04, so I put them down to age. I recently sampled a couple, and they are definitely coming around: medium bodied and flavorful, but not as "sharp" and peppery as before. Although quite smokeable, I am going to leave them alone for at least a couple of years.

2. AUG04 - I finished this box in mid '05 and at that time they were becoming somewhat more muted.

3. DEC04 - I have been smoking from this box continuously. In fact, I smoked one tonight, in part to comment on this thread. I have about six left. They have never become in the least bit "sick", but have remained strong, spicy and full-bodied. Actually, I can't imagine that a PSD4 could be better. Smoked it to the nub, and loved every minute. Now, that's over a year old, without going into any kind of hibernation. Certainly unusual in my experience.

4. FEB05 - I have smoked most of this box, and they are still going strong. No "sickness" yet.

From this limited sample, with respect to maturation, it would appear that there is something different about the production from late '04 on. I am not complaining, but it is curious.

[korryp]

This is a great cigar. I am very fond of these. Right up there with a well aged SD3.

[pittesq]

Received a box last week. Waiting for them to come around from the long journey. Can't wait!

[rumrogue]

Life don't get much better really.

Glorious day today. Warm(ish) 22 deg C. No wind. Little cloud.

I don't do the fishin', huntin' thing. Rather stick pins in me eyes.

So.....I gave meself the afternoon off. Got the bike out (3rd day on the trot).

For those fellow bikers I have a 2005 Triumph Rocket III. All 2300cc of the Beast!

Anyway, it's TT time here. This week is practice week so there is a lot of biker type activity going on.

I don't usually take a smoke with me on local runs but today I thought I'd park up somewhere & watch the world go by.

I've had a box of these from '00. Had one when I got them & haven't touched 'em since.

Having completed 2 laps of the 37 & 3/4 mile Mountain Circuit I parked up, settled down in the sunshine & lit up.

Lighting was easy with a good even burn. From memory, this was a much better smoke than the first one. Much mellower & integrated. Flavours ranged from creamy right through to spice & tobacco at the end. Bloody good.

Can't see the rest lasting much longer!

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