Partagas Lusitania - you're so vein

[Ken Gargett]

FPG OLSO (box stamped Vintage Collection and Rob assures me it all equates to a box from 1998)

I find these one of the most enjoyable of all young cigars but they pale in comparison with these seven year old stars. Word is that the Partagas Lusi’s were reduced in flavour around a decade ago. I find these to be not over-the-top from a flavour perspective and certainly not offering as powerful a whack as say the Partagas LE Pyramides (something else I really love) but everything seems in balance. Quite a lightish brown colour, almost dusty brown, with a boxed shape, they are just a joy. The draw could not be faulted and the burn was slow and utterly consistent. The flavours show just how much complexity a few years in the humidor can build - spice, milk coffee, a light chocolate touch, almost a peaches-and-cream note, hints of citrus and some caramel characters emerging. You need to set aside an hour or two but I confess that at the finish of this (and I took it right down to the last dregs), I was seriously considering lighting up a second. Sadly, I’m down to the wrong end of the box (Rob, I hope you’ve hidden a few more away) with only a few to go but looking at my notes over the 18 months I have had these, almost everyone has been a star (one had a dodgy burn but the rest...). My ratings have also slowly edged up but this is a thoroughly well deserved 95.

[Curmudgeon]

» FPG OLSO

That translates to May 1990!

[El Presidente]

Curmudgeon:

Ken is a professional wine writer and sometimes late in the day...after a busy days tasting work....U's start looking like O's.;-)

[Ken Gargett]

thanks for that (if they were really 1990's, you can bet that rob's price would have skyrocketed). have checked the box and while it does appear that it is an 'O', it is quite smudgy and could quite possibly be a 'U'. would that make them '98s tho?

[Ken Gargett]

surprised that these seem to get so little support on the forum, or are we all just so used to how good these are? another from the box (whatever year that might be) on the weekend and it was stunning. there is real complexity and character. love them. am i alone?

[Tampa1257]

am i alone?

Ken,

You are far from being alone with the feeling about the Partagas Lusi. Some of the best (recent) examples that I have had the opportunity to smoke were 96-97-98 codes. The more recent production IMHO is still going to need several more years in the Humidor before they are ready to bring out the complexities that you described.

I find that one of the biggest factors for me when choosing a vitola is "Time". I rarely have the chance to sit back and relax for 1.5-2 hours for a DC. When I do, Partagas is what I have stached away in the humidor to bring out the big guns so to speak. It is a shame that the blend changed from its former self around the 95 time period. Those were Lusi's that would grab you by the back of your head, shake you around and leave you wondering WTF just happened to you. Of course, the smile on your face could be seen for 100 miles. Great cigar!

Tampa

[el habano chino]

I've had the opportunity to sample Lusi's from 98 and have been left rather underwhelmed by the experience. :-|

While the more recent lusi's exhibit the bold, spicy Partagas characteristics that I love, the 98's i've had were subdued and muted in comparison. Sure they were complex and flavorful smokes (think of the Seleccion Privadas), but they definitely lacked the deep tobacco profile and the punch that I've come to associate with the larger vitolas of this awesome marque.

Now, I know that the Lusi underwent a change in blend from 1996 onwards, with a noticable reduction in ligero in the latter day productions. My question is: has anyone ever had the opportunity to sample the old-style lusi? If so, is it the knock-your-socks-off smoke that I've heard it being described as? :-P

[Mel]

P Lucy's and SLRDC are the stand out DCs that I have had. Oh I forgot about my love affair with the Ramon Allones Gigantes.

Come to think of it I am just a fan of the big long journey.

I got a cab of some 03 stock and it's half gone. Now only go to them for a "special treat".

I recently aquired a box of 01 Churchills and have nogt sampled them yet. Any response from the forum?

Mel.

[ALB]

Ramone Allones Gigantes was the first DC I've had ( as per photos from cigar- back yard blitz post), & it was superb.

Look forward to trying out a part. Lusi, & also the VR Don Alejandro I brought back from Cuba last year

[habanohal]

» Ramone Allones Gigantes was the first DC I've had ( as per photos from

» cigar- back yard blitz post), & it was superb.

»

» Look forward to trying out a part. Lusi, & also the VR Don Alejandro I

» brought back from Cuba last year

The last 5 pack of Lucis I had were all plugged, almost to the point of unsmokeable. What little draw I got was flat and not as flavorful as a previous box that I went through

[El Presidente]

Mel Baby.

Ken has a box from the same box code. He is on a "winetasting" jaunt until Wednesday I believe but I will have him post a review.

[El Presidente]

I was fortunate to try some early 90's Lusi's (92/93) which were not all to dissimilar with 98's that we had late last year.

Perhaps age had mellowed them slightly. The 98 Lusi's we had available last year were some of the finest cigars that I have had. Ken can attest as I believe he is hording the last dozen or so from his box.....e-mail him :-D

No need to thank me Ken

[Ken Gargett]

One for the monthly DC reviews, this is usually one of my absolute favs. Have most of a box from Sept 03 away for a few years and down to my last few from a box from 1998. This one from Sept 04 so hoping that the vibrancy of youth might make up for the wonderful complexity that these breed. Colour was a lovely old teak and there was a dusty oily note to the feel. There were a few veins, a few too many, but not enough to suggest any sort of problem (I just wanted to use the Carly Simon line - Aussie version, ‘He walked into the party like Harold Holt on the crest of a wave’).

Construction looked pretty good but just wondered if the draw might be a fraction loose - and so it proved. Mild opening, a hint of earthy and choc notes (no stock) and some green touches. Couldn’t find that wonderful richness that i associate with these. The power did build towards the middle but never to any great extent. It was also a little bitter in the middle but this dissipated as we moved through it. Early burn good, with an impressive cone but didn’t last. Burn was reasonably consistent (a little ragged towards the finish) but did need a little attention from the middle on. Kept searching for any prominent or significant flavours but it wasn’t to be. It all settled down towards the last third but no highlights. That wonderful richness and complexity of the older examples not to be found. This was all rather unsatisfying and compelling evidence for me that, unless this was just a poor example, I’ll be making sure I give them a few years. They can be so good. If these are your thing, my thoughts are to get a box or two in the humidor asap (Rob will love that) and then always keep them topped up with that age. 87. Might seem a bit harsh but high expectations not met. Much preferred the Punch from last week.

[Mel]

Sad,sad,sad. I have less than half a cab from the 03 lot and now afraid to burn them when I here the freshies are not up to par. I may want to get some of the Punch instead. Have some 01 Churchills that are in the deep storage,but they may need to move up to the sacrifice level.

[strayvector]

I finally had a chance to smoke one of the singles that I ordered a few months ago, but I have no idea what the box code is.

On first glance the cigar was beautiful to look at. Nice dull sheen, light brown wrapper, very little veining, a nice triple cap, but a slightly cracked foot. Upon closer inspection, the cigar had a hard spot about 3 inches from the cap that extended nearly 1.5 inches toward the foot. Not a good sign.

After the cut, I took a pre light draw and was greeted with a clean, but tight draw accompanied with a slight coffee aroma. Once lit, I got a very tight draw that impeded the burn of the cigar. The flavors that I got though were wonderful, so I decided to try to fight through the draw and burn problems. I managed to smoke about a inch of it until I had to look around for a something to poke through the cigar, but being at a bar, the only thing I could find was a 4 inch toothpick. I tried to use this, but it didn't even reach the tight spot. I fought with the cigar for another inch and finally decided that it was definitely plugged. So I cut the cigar about halfway through the rock hard portion of the cigar and used the toothpick to poke the new foot a few times. The draw significantly improved (uneven burn finally cooperated an inch later) and I was able to finally enjoy the wonderful flavors of this now petite robusto. The flavors were rich with coffee accompanied with vanilla cream and hints of chocolate. I loved the flavor so much that I stuck the toothpick into the last half inch to get a few more puffs from this cigar. It ended up burning my lips.

So in short - the flavors of this cigar was awesome, construction and burn was a total dissappointment and it sucked big time (required a very healthy lung to get any smoke prior to amputation). I score it a 75.

I just hope the other single I have will have better construction because the flavor is one of the best I've had.

[rumrogue]

Luv the Lusi.

Usually have one with breakast as they go well with a 15 year old rum.

Finds it sets me up nicely for the day.

On special days such as Easter Sunday or Christmas day we get treated by His Holiness & are allowed an SLRDC at breakfast. That is a real treat.

Shades the Lusi in my non-humble opinion.

Off to hear His confession now. Should be fun!