Partagas Serie D No 3 Edicion Limitada 2001

[shrink]

As usual, a very honest and thorough review, mate!

I don't think it is important to determine whether a cigar is 'better' when it's young, or after some aging. Every cigar must strike a balance between 'youthful exuberance' and 'maturity'. What is important is for the smoker to know what he prefers in a given marca or vitola, and to have a method by which he determines when that cigar reaches that balance point. Your reviews are an important part of my personal methodology. Thanks!

[anacostiakat]

Hmmmm. I have not tried one of these in quite some time. I ran through quite a few during 05/06 and loved them.

This review makes me feel better. ;-)

[Claudius]

» This was another generous gift from Brian...thanks mate

»

» This particular example suffered some wrapper damage in transit but was emminently smokeable.

Not that you ever needed a wrapper on a cigar to smoke it... :-D

» I can't help but

» think that the cigar is losing a little of its "intensity" each year. I

» prefer a little mongrel to my cigar, a little rebellion and personality. I

» think I preferred this cigar in 2005/6 when it still retained a little more

» of these elements which shone the spotlight on the core flavours. The cocoa

» at that was bitter sweet...now sweet. The charred wood flavours included

» black and white pepper spice....now just smokey charred wood. Each to his own.

Maybe storing the boxes in ziplock bags helps slow the process down?

[brian1]

Interesting comments Rob. Its funny how we all perceive cigars differently. To me these are fantastic now, much more approachable than 2 years ago when I thought they were still unapproachable. I do not like any mongerl as you put it in my cigars, the smoother the better. I also detect a strong pleasent meaty flavor from these which I guess you did not pick up. Anyway its all good Good honest review.

[Mel]

Wow I agree 100% with Rob for the first time ever! I am not sure which one of us has the problem. I think these are some of the prettiest cigars on the planet. The extra dark wrappers and the red/gold bands really turn me on BUT the cigar lacks balls. It looks bold and powerful but is a cross dresser, all show and no go. Way to mild for me and I am not ageing them any further. The 02 Coronas in cabs are twice or thrice the cigar in all areas of review.

[El Presidente]

» Interesting comments Rob. Its funny how we all perceive cigars differently.

» To me these are fantastic now, much more approachable than 2 years ago when

» I thought they were still unapproachable. I do not like any mongerl as you

» put it in my cigars, the smoother the better. I also detect a strong

» pleasent meaty flavor from these which I guess you did not pick up. Anyway

» its all good Good honest review.

Thanks for the opportunity Brian, I really do appreciate it. All the review confirms are my biases in terms of preference. The more reviews I write the more I realise how truely uninformative they are as a reference tool. Unless your tastes and tastebuds are geared the same as mine you are bound to experience differences and vice versa.

I is indeed scary to be coming to the conclusion that my cigar tastes are close to Mels

[El Presidente]

This was another generous gift from Brian...thanks mate

This particular example suffered some wrapper damage in transit but was emminently smokeable. I have had it laying down for just over 30 days at 65% RH. I didn't drybox this example prior to smoking in order not to upset the wrapper any further.

Nice sweet cocoa aroma at cold. Well filled with no hint of hard or soft spots. Clipped the end and the draw was immaculate with that distinctive cocoa Edicion Limitada taste on the lips.

Fired up the dark brooding foot to be met by an immediate aroma of chocolate and wet forest burn off. Medium full on the palate, dense, thick mouthfeel. Initial flavours are all sweet cocoa and chocolate. Reminded me very much of the Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios except softer, sweeter. Into the first inch and accompanying the cocoa chocolate elements are charred wood, hints of dried cherries. No great amount of white pepper spice through the nose. The cigar is becoming noticeably milder and now just a shade under medium bodied. Well balanced.

Each year since release I have tried examples of the Serie D No 3 EL and each year they evolve. All harsh edges have disappeared from this initial release. It is a smooth, medium bodied cigar with great balance and hitting the sweet cocoa, chared wood notes perfectly. I can't help but think that the cigar is losing a little of its "intensity" each year. I prefer a little mongrel to my cigar, a little rebellion and personality. I think I preferred this cigar in 2005/6 when it still retained a little more of these elements which shone the spotlight on the core flavours. The cocoa at that was bitter sweet...now sweet. The charred wood flavours included black and white pepper spice....now just smokey charred wood. Each to his own. The cigar in my hand is the picture of conformity...not putting a foot out of place and delivering exceptionally smooth cocoa...a little butter now....smokey charred wood.

Nearing the band and the only complaint I have is a lack of complexity. It has been close to 45 minutes now and the Serie D No 3 has not changed bar a few buttery elements entering from the halfway mark. Some cherry notes are re-asserting themselves but its essence remains the same. To be honest I am a little bored but the reasons why are personal in that I know that 90% of members would find this to be an exquisite cigar.

I am coming to the conclusion that I have to be carefull when assessing the smokeability and ageing of Edicion Limitada Cigars. I preferred the Serie D No 3 El 2001 two years ago compared to where it has evolved today. I think the 2006 Serie De Connoisseur No 3's are still ruthlessly strong and will become a great cigar...but I am going to have to check them annually and when they are "Ready"....smoke the majority and leave two or three for another extended period of ageing to see what occurs.

I missed the boat on the HDM Pirimide Le's in that I thought they were far better 18 months ago than where they are now. Don't get me wrong, excellent mild to medium sweet cream cigars....but I feel they have lost approximately 30% of their body. I preferred them with the extra body.

Apologies for the ramble which passes as a review. I just type what I am thinking There are no right and wrong opinions when it comes to such a subjective matter as taste. How could their be when we are all wired so differently in the matters of the palate.

[CigSid]

I just cracked open a box of these, and immediately was blown away by the aroma; barnyard, bitter chocolate and rich tobacco. After almost 14 years in slumber, these have really blossomed. I truly believe that once you open a box and remove a few of the cigars, they really slow down the aging process at this point. And possibly this will be the very best this cigar could be (for cigars 4 or 5 years old and older) No more mingling with the oils of the surrounding cigars, keeping them evolving into multiple stages of complexity. This is based on smoking many boxes of these older LE's progressively, and comparing them to boxes like this one I just opened. This cigar I just smoked had strength, complexity and the most amazing finish. Crazy good...