Partagas Serie D No 4 ERC Mar06 Review

[cls515]

Just the review I was looking for. Thanks.

I've only tried one of these before and it knocked my socks off. I'm guessing I got lucky with it because I hear mixed reviews of this particular stick.

How is the 06 batch fairing to previous years spice wise? The one I had before was pure leather and pepper.

[El Presidente]

» Just the review I was looking for. Thanks.

»

» I've only tried one of these before and it knocked my socks off. I'm

» guessing I got lucky with it because I hear mixed reviews of this

» particular stick.

»

» How is the 06 batch fairing to previous years spice wise? The one I had

» before was pure leather and pepper.

The 2006 Partagas D4 have in the main been impressive. They have regained the power and spice of years past.

This has been the most disappointing D4 06 I have tried but it still was not a bad cigar. I know we would not have chosen this particular box for any private client and it is the reason it is out of an open box in the humidor.

[shrink]

Rob, your experience parallels mine. The '06 D4's I've tried have been very good, but not great. Ironically, I think that the use of aged ligero has backfired somewhat in this cigar. Prior to '06, the test of a young D4 was the intensity and sweetness of the spice. If it was strong and peppery, so much the better. Smoke 'em ROTT or put 'em away for a couple of years.

Now, the D4 smokes "sort of" like a "post-sickness" cigar from '04, but the depth and quality of the spice hasn't fully developed. So, while plenty strong, the leather, wood and spice profile remains rather bland. Hopefully, all of this will be resolved with some humidor time.

[Ken Gargett]

and there was me thinking you chose the ugly ducklings because you couldn't sell 'em (except to me).

actually had one of these recently but from a few years ago. a single stick from havana - could have bought it earlier this year but more likely, 18 mths ago. really enjoyed it, a little more than you seem to have. and if i ever find those notes, will post a review.

[Tampa1257]

Did someone say something about a PSD4?

[Tony Maduro]

Thanks. I look forward to these reviews. Please keep 'em coming, Rob.

[ThreeD]

Thanks for the good review. I also had one the other day that was not too impressive. It just didn't pop like I thought it would in the flavor department. My draw was better however, which means the flavor or the complexity isn't going to get any better. I have some others in the 'dor getting some sleep.

[Miami101]

I just read the review. I have to over it again, but P4 looks hot!

Carlos

[Bolivariano]

It's always a powerhouse of a cigar for me. Spicy, complex and full bodied.

The last one I had did have the "easy draw" you described but this did not harm the cigar one bit as flavor and complexity was concerned.

This cigar in in the top of my list. I really really like it!

The 05's and 06's seem to me to be almost identical in flavors.

[olotti]

Prez these reviews of yours have become a highlight for me on this sight. The 06's PSD4's are one smoke I have been hearing alot about, although my 05 box have been very approachable. I'll be looking forward to the follow up review.

[bobsled]

» Partagas Serie D No 4

» ERC Mar06

»

Great review Rob, thanks! I have some PSP2 from April 05 That suffer from the same easy draw. A great stick, but could be so much better.

Keep them coming!

B

[cls515]

» The 2006 Partagas D4 have in the main been impressive. They have regained

» the power and spice of years past.

»

» This has been the most disappointing D4 06 I have tried but it still was

» not a bad cigar. I know we would not have chosen this particular box for

» any private client and it is the reason it is out of an open box in the

» humidor.

How can you tell the differences in quality between boxes? I mean, for the private client, would you open the box to inspect the cigars?

[Mel]

Rob can pick a good box when he wants to.;-) I'm sure he will elaborate. When Lisa picks your cigars she fondles them with love and blesses them every one.:-P

[CWS]

The only thing that bothers more than a fully plugged cigar is a loose draw. Try as I might I can seem to slow down and over smoke them till they are bitter. The PSD4 's I have vary between the just right slightly firm perfect draw and fully open. I love these cigars but become impatient. I did try a little more humidity which did improve the last few.

Thanks for the review.

[El Presidente]

Lisa and Smithy inspect each box of cigars for construction flaws and unnacceptable wrappers.

Those we reject end up on the wholesale side of the business (Casino's,pubs,clubs,liquor outlets etc).

[Cohiba007]

Far and away my favorite robusto. And there is nothing wrong with ugly ducklings, just ask my girlfriend.

[CoryOllis]

I liked the one I had from 05 the best. Recent ones I've tried have been good, though. Thanks again for a great review.

[CigarZen]

Nice review Rob!

I had some DIC 05s in the 3x5, and took out a handful and passed them around to group on havana huts that frequent a cigar BB last summer. All thought they were great cigars, but possibly with a different blend, one more refined for young cigars. They were more creamy, something I do not associate with younger D4s, which are ussually brutish in a good way. I still have another 3x5 from then and put 'em down to see what happens. Just have to wait and see.:-D

[Tampa1257]

The PSD4 has always been a cigar that even if it was "off" it was still nice to smoke in my opinion. Love them good, love them OK, just enjoy them when I can.

[mr.harten]

Hey Rob, I gotta echo the comments of the others here that your regular reviews have been something I increasingly look forward to. Thanks for taking the time to write and post them.

I was just sitting here trying to figure out what to smoke when I drive out to my folks in a bit to get some fire wood. I think I have my answer.

[mr.harten]

» I was just sitting here trying to figure out what to smoke when I drive

» out to my folks in a bit to get some fire wood. I think I have my answer.

Just returned and on the way I had one from MGT ABR 06. My experience largely matched Rob's although the draw was perfect on mine and the complexity was present until the very end. In addition the sweetness and spice steadily increased over the last half in a remarkably similar manner to a PSP2 I had on Christmas day. Very nice indeed. 92/100.

[marco polo]

Thanks for the review !

[El Presidente]

Partagas Serie D No 4

ERC Mar06

I had a late afternoon meeting and chose a little Robusto to help me focus. Looking through the open boxes of the humidor I chose a slightly unattractive Partagas Serie D No 4 from March 06. As a rule I tend to try the "ugly ducklings" of the batch figuring that if they are good, then so will be the rest.

This Partagas had a lighter wrapper than most recent offerings. Construction however was good, nicely bunched foot, good cap with no hard or soft spots along its length to cause concern.

Smell at cold was a little leather and barnyard. Nice promise. Cuban clipped the end (no big secret here folks, I just take my time and slowly cerrate the inside of the cap with my finger nails).

Tested the draw which was too easy for my liking. I sort of new that this easy draw was about to rob me of some flavour diversity. Still the cigar had a nice little savoury spice/ saltiness on the lips.

I torched the foot, gave it a minute or two to setle down and started a series of tasting draws.

Medium bodied, white pepper spice through the nose, some cloves and coffee on the palate. Good level of smoke but a little thin in aroma.

The cigar was ever so slowly picking up intensity/body. Now a shade fuller than medium but not a powerhouse. Silky flavours of cream and ristretto coffee.....the flavours however are not dank and dark....a little whispy. I hate this draw, it is muteing the flavours in this cigar.

Cream now gone. Bitter dark roasted coffee remains. A little white pepper appearing in the fray.Still medium in body. The cigar has held great ash and has been well behaved. Howvever I have a gut feeling that it has thrown its best punches flavour wise.

Suprisingly, the Partagas has not become offensively bitter as I had suspected. All essence of complexity has now disappeared but what remains is toasted tobacco, white pepper and a shade of roasted coffee.

I sort of feel sorry for this Partagas as with the too easy draw it was akin to a fine footballer playing with injury. It gave everything it had in an effort to impress but it never had a chance to show its full potential. Easy draws rob flavour...there is no other way to say it.

Overall the cigar was good without being great. I will try another from the same box with a more restrained draw before long and compare the difference.

86/87 - 100 4 / 6 smokerings.