Partagas Corona - TEN CCUA

[Well Armed]

My friends, I shall share with you the experience I had last night with this magnificent cigar. A well aged specimen from a '99 cabinet of 50 naked beauties. I chose the last of the bunch - the one that usually gets squished in the middle from the ribbon. Nice oily sheen and a nice firm touch all the way around. Smelled the fot and it had a nice subdued aroma of minty tobacco. Clipped the head and took a test draw. PERFECT! Moderate resistance, just the way I like it.

Now, I was going to a party and it would be probably an hour before I smoked this cigar. But damn I could not stop taking dry draws just to get that well aged Partagas aroma rolling over my tongue. I could taste the white pepper and bittersweet baking coca already.

I get to the part, and light my Party. Immediate explosion of peppery creaam at the first puff. I knew this would be a special experience. Now, this is literally the 15th (I know, a small number) Party Corona I have had from before 2002. And they have ALL tasted exactly like this. 100% consistency in every example and this was no exception.

The aroma was intoxicating. An aroma of baking bread combined with what I want to describe as cumin and white pepper. The taste? Creamy cuban tobacco with a slight zip on the lip and a tangy aftertaste. Full body, but full of finesse that proper storage conditions and a good pedigree can produce. I salute the blender for his creation.

I had two people on two seperate occasions stop me in mid converation to remark that they don't usually like cigars but they just loved the aroma my cigar was emitting. "What kind of cigar is that? It has no label. How come? Can I try it? I love the way it smells." I obliged to the young beauty and offered her a draw. She tok a few slow draws and I got to experience their side of the story. The aroma from a few feet away was even more pronounced. Star anise and fresh ground pepper. Magnificent. Give it back!

Towards the finish the cigar intensified in stregth and potency. Smooth peppery spice and unsweetened cream but now with an intense twang. Like moans, followed by screams, followed by a climax. I burned my fingers and lips before I gave it a 21 gun salute and buried it at sea (in my amber bew).

A 2-dimensional cigar. It didn't change much until the very end and that was just the way I wanted it since the flavor and aroma were so captivating from draw one. A masterpiece.

A solid 95.

[shrink]

What a great review, WA! You really captured the experience. I agree with you, the Partagas Corona is the unsung hero of the Partagas family. I have never had a bad one, most are pretty damned good, and with some serious age, they really kick ass. Not enough praise finds the lonsdale's little bro'.

What a terrible shame that they're being DC'd. Rest in Peace... right in my humi, where you belong!

[stever]

Excellent review. Have some '05s, but haven't had any well-aged ones yet.

[bassman]

Nice review. Been enjoying my cab of 02s.