Partagas Serie D4

[Ken Gargett]

Another one of those smokes that i too often neglect, and am constantly amazed at how good they can be when i do go back. This one reminded me a little of a young Lusi. Anyone else ever get that? I have occasionally had a slightly dodgy burn with these but not here. Some dark chocolate, earth and espresso notes. 89.

[Phailure]

Nice review Ken. Was your sample of recent production or aged?

[Ken Gargett]

» Nice review Ken. Was your sample of recent production or aged?

was loose in the humidor (records are somewhat less than perfectly organised at times) but i am 99.99% certain that this one was picked up in havana this feb. so almost certainly under the year.

[El Presidente]

» Another one of those smokes that i too often neglect, and am constantly

» amazed at how good they can be when i do go back. This one reminded me a

» little of a young Lusi. Anyone else ever get that? I have occasionally had

» a slightly dodgy burn with these but not here. Some dark chocolate, earth

» and espresso notes. 89.

D4's have been disappointing over the past few years. While there have been some gems, flavour has been all over the place and blend integrity non existent. 2006 has shown a return to form and is encouraging.

[Tampa1257]

What I do not find similar between the Serie D No.4 and the Lusi is that the Lusi has a much sweeter profile than the D 4, while both will have the typical Peppery spiciness to them (Yes the Lusi is much milder in my opinion), but I find the sweetness of the spice closer with the Short than I do with the D 4.

I agree with Rob that the D 4 has taken a turn or it was too widely massed produced, whatever, but the last really good D 4's I bought were from 2003. I have not smoked any recent production, and look forward to tasting the improvement that Rob speaks about.

[Ken Gargett]

sounds like i might have picked up a couple of goodies by chance - makes up for what rob flicks me.

[skindiver]

I smoke alot of these. I'm good for a box a month as a rule,it's my go to cigar most afternoons. Recent production has been great IMO. While they may have lost some of their previous "power", I'm still very happy with this cigar.

Recently I got a box of 2004's. Put them away to see what aging might produce. I've always smoked these young.

[shrink]

Thanks, Ken. I consider the PSD4 a "bread and butter" smoke. However, since mid 2005, the number I've been smoking has been seriously diluted by the increasing amount of P2's and Series du Connaisseur that I now prefer.

I agree with Chuck that PSD4's underwent a downhill trend from 2004 to 2005. Not that they were "bad", mind you, they just appeared to be "dumbed down" like a lot of other previously strong and spicy cigars. I really liked 'em young, with raw tannins and that new "sweet tobacco" Partagas taste. I can only imagine how delicious they would be right off the rolling table.

Now, we are learning that Habanos may have held back some of its best ligero, which is now appearing in the late '05 and '06 smokes. As I have recently posted here, I believe this to be the case. The '06's, for the most part, seem less "fresh" and are more approachable than in the past several years, while exhibiting greater strength and depth of flavor.

I noticed something "strange" with the box of SEP05, which is the last box I purchased. They never seemed to go into a "sick" period, but continued to develop in a linear fashion. Now a year old, they are still smoking very well, with the stronger, less "sweet" quality that an aged PSD4 exhibits. I'm letting 'em rest, though. For the most part, I'm still smoking from '04 boxes.

My recent limited experience with a couple '06 examples seems to confirm the "aged ligero" hypothesis. I just smoked another '06 tonight. These have little or none of that "raw" and "sweet" tobacco quality, but in fact resemble PSD4's that have been aged for a year or so. Sufficiently strong, and with all the leathery, woody, and spicy flavors characteristic of the brand. Very flavorful, but noticeably less pepper than I recall from days of yore. I wonder if we will ever see the strong, peppery and sweet "freshies" ROTT that we used to enjoy.

[Mel]

I smoked one of the new 06's the other night and it kicked like a mule. Not in a bad way but it was strength galor. These things have aging potential out the arse.