Partagas 898 varnished Review GSO Feb 06

[shrink]

Exceptionally accurate and descriptive review, Prez.

Have a look at my take on the exact same boxcode, which I posted yesterday on another board. Some interesting similarities...

The 8-9-9V is Partagas’ interpretation of the classic dalia. This vitola is not only pleasing aesthetically, but ergonomically as well. And lying within its’ traditional 8-9-8 varnished cedar hinged-top box, it simply couldn’t be any more impressive. A truly elegant presentation.

I unsnapped the small brass clasp, lifted the lid, and inhaled deeply. The pre-light scents were pure Partagas: fertile barnyard, sweet wood and spice, infused with warm, aromatic cedar. The cigar I selected was perfectly crafted, and consistently firm to the touch. As I passed it closely under my nose, there was the strong and distinct scent of dry cocoa powder. The smell was intoxicating, and the medium brown wrapper was smooth and finely veined.

My dalia yielded readily to the flame, and greeted me with mouthfuls of dense, spicy and moderately peppered smoke. I wish that every cigar burned and drew this well. The cigar soon settled into the characteristic 898V flavor profile. The dominant taste is one of tanned leather and sweet decaying wood, with notes of cedar, cinnamon and other baking spices. As the cigar progressed, it revealed layer upon layer of paprika-like, peppery spice. Rich Partagas spice that coated my mouth and tantalized my senses.

The smoke was thick and creamy, with a mouthfeel that reminded me of a chocolate mousse, in texture if not in its cocoa-dusted flavor. It almost seemed to melt with each slow, deliberate exhalation. As I expelled it through the nose, a mist of white pepper created a tingling effervescence, which was progressively overshadowed by a contrasting crushed black pepper essence that left my tongue and lips burning deliciously in anticipation of the next draw.

By the halfway point, I was captivated by the richness and complexity of this prodigy, which by then had completely encompassed my attention. It had become full-bodied, and the spice profile began to take on a meaty, charbroiled quality, similar to a pepper-encrusted filet still sizzling from the BBQ grill. The finish had a delightful citrus tang – lightly sweetened lemon chiffon that simply floated as it dissolved in my mouth. The cigar was providing its own dessert! The effect was mesmerizing, and utterly mouth-watering.

For a cigar with only about a year of box age, this was a stunningly mature, and almost perfectly balanced smoke. It incorporates the lushness of the Seleccion Privada with the strength and complexity of the Serie du Connaisseur. The only element that wasn’t fully developed was the tobacco sweetness, which hovered in the background and was more apparent in the finish than in the draw. However, experience with the marca tells me that this will develop within several years.

The finale was a spicy command performance, in which all the flavors competed for prominence, but ultimately yielded to the peppery elements. The underlying strength of this cigar wasn’t completely evident until after I had snubbed it out, and had taken a long drink to quench my tingling lips. I sat for several minutes, just savoring the aftertaste, and wondered how I was going to afford the boxes that I knew I was going to order.

Easily the most compelling and complex Partagas cigar I have smoked from the class of 2006. A masterpiece now, and a classic in the making.

[El Presidente]

Nice Review Shrink :-)

Someone e-mail Lisa and explain that the time I take for the reviews is to the benefit of all society :-D

[shrink]

Rob - after re-reading your review, and thinking a bit about my experience with the new 898, I am concluding that my example was probably a more complex cigar than yours. I see no mention of citrus, which I found to be exceptionally light and well-integrated into the profile. Perhaps mine also delivered a bit more black pepper, although you described the finale as being full-bodied.

In any event, in terms of overall quality and complexity, I would compare this 898 very favorably to the '06 Series du Connaisseur I have sampled. In fact, I prefer the 898 because of its richness and depth of flavor. My very favorite Partagas of all time remains the Serie du Conn No. 1, from either '98 or '03.

[El Presidente]

Shrink, I was close to detailing a citrus note and if you can envision mixing sweet paprika and a sour chees cake .......you almost get it.

Immensely enjoyable :-)

[shrink]

» Shrink, I was close to detailing a citrus note and if you can envision

» mixing sweet paprika and a sour chees cake .......you almost get it.

»

» Immensely enjoyable :-)

Did you say Inmensely? Ah, yes... the 2006 Bolivar Inmensa. Plenty of citrus here. I'd like your take on this other superb dalia.

[cigardawg]

Great reviews from both of you.

Rob, I am one of the people that love this cigar, though I don't think it is the best Partagas dalia (I reserve that for the Seleccion Privada No. 1). I think it is comparable with the Conn. series, though it is really a mood thing with me.

I am very glad to hear that the 06's are as good as they are. This is a cigar that I love to have just sitting around the humidor, soaking up the age.

[shrink]

» I am very glad to hear that the 06's are as good as they are. This is a

» cigar that I love to have just sitting around the humidor, soaking up the

» age.

I love the Seleccion Privada, too. You will not be disappointed in this '06 898V.

[CelticBasque]

Somehow I managed to miss this review until today...

Anyway... Rob, I just had to give you props for using the word recalcitrant in a cigar review. You're my hero, mate! :wink:

[jqmunro]

» Somehow I managed to miss this review until today...

»

» Anyway... Rob, I just had to give you props for using the word

» recalcitrant in a cigar review. You're my hero, mate! :wink:

Rob, I was thinking... A *great* idea for next year would be a special production run of Partagas Seleccion Privada No.1 ... like the Tang H.U.'s ... call them the Ayalas'

[jakebarnes]

» I would still like more complexity and that is why the Connoisseur series

» remain my favourite Partagas. For those lovers of the 898V I salute you

» and recommend that you pick up a box of early 06's to age.

I have to say the 06 898v has taken center stage in my book. While i cannot make any comparisons to the SdC series yet (yet to try the series but i have a box of #1 resting until i feel the time is right), the 898v has to be one of the most flavorful and complex cigars I have had in a long while. That is not to say I haven't been having good cigars but to speak to how great the 898v's i have had recently.

And yes, i do get your paprika meets citrus notes observation also. I notice that more in the finish.

I have one box put away, but i should probably try and get ahold of another... a tough task when I am trying to diversify my humidor as best I can at the moment...

However, i second both shrink and pres: stock up.

wait, on second thought, dont stock up, they're terrible... and if you did stock up, send them to me for immediate quarantine.:-D

[Professor Twain]

Great review. I was prompted to crack open one of my boxes, OSE JUL 06, which had been untouched.

Smoked this with Tampa and another friend. All three of us thought that these were tremendous. They are surely good enough to smoke now but if they smooth out with age they will be heavenly.

I have some BYL NOV 05s (boxes of 10) that are good but not superb.

[olotti]

Man these sound good. :-P

[El Presidente]

Beautiful sunny morning, nice gentle south easterly sea breeze, cup of coffee and a Feb 06 Partagas 898 V to start the day :-)

I have listened for years friends raveing on and on and on and on about the Partagas 898 varnished. This Dalia along with the discontinued Ramon Allones 898 is very much Habanos deity. One almost feels like Judas when daring to criticise it. When it comes to the 898 Varnished....I am Judas I have questioned its status and called out its fawning flunky's (term of endearment ) to spell out exactly what makes it great. Let me summarise their responses:

True Partagas Flavour

Pepper Spice

Crisp clean toasted tobacco taste

Yes I know!!!!!!! I get these flavours too....BUT WHAT MAKES THIS CIGAR FREAKIN GREAT!!!!!

Well...I have argued the point with many only to be looked at like a recalcitrant moron. However I still stand by my view that the Partagas Connoisseur Series No 1 No2 and No 3 deliver the core characteristics of the 898 Varnished.....and then some. The Connoisseur series introduces dark beans, charred wood and all the dark forces of nature which I adore. The 898V .....to me....lives in their shadow.

So gentlemen, that is where I stand as I reach for this GSO Feb 06 example.

Smell at cold was pepper spice and barnyard manure. Nice punch to the aromas. Construction was good to very good....a tad bumpy here and there. Well filled, good weight. Cerrated the cap and the draw was good. Flavour on the lips was toasted tobacco and clean dry hay.

Torched the foot and took the first draw without waiting for the 898V to settle down. Medium full bodied, rich carob note mixed with black coffee. Best start to an 898V I can recall. Hefty white pepper through the nose, great savoury spices surrounding a core of black coffee and super clean toasted tobacco.....this is Partagas.

Last lingering elements of carob disappearing. All quality Cuban tobacco, white pepper and sweet paprika spices + unsweetened cream. Still medium full in body. This is not a pre 10am morning cigar and I know I am going to struggle with the last third. However, I find that early morning I can taste cleanly and so will persevere.

People talk about old school cigars. Classic Partagas Flavour of earth, tobacco, spice. This is the 898 Varnished. Into the last third it is now full bodied but still no bitterness just buckets and buckets of earth....quality toasted tobacco and pepper spices. It reminds me of my Grandfather.....straight up and down man with a proud history who bent to no-one.

I appreciate the qualities of this 898 Varnished. It was the finest specimen I have had since 1997 in terms of quality and smoking experience. It had a depth of flavour I have previously found missing.

I would still like more complexity and that is why the Connoisseur series remain my favourite Partagas. For those lovers of the 898V I salute you and recommend that you pick up a box of early 06's to age.