Review--Partagas Serie D #3 EL, 2001


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I received this beautiful cigar about 6 months ago in a trade. I took it outside with a bit of rum and some cool water. It looked dark and rich, was nicely box pressed, and after clipping it the draw was just right, and I could taste a hint of spice. I had high hopes, based on many favorable reviews I have seen, that this cigar might live up to its reputation as one of the best ELs. I lit the cigar, and immediately noticed the strong peppery taste that is a hallmark of Partagas cigars, coupled with a taste of dark espresso. As I smoked further, I noticed bits of mocha sweetness, and interesting spice. But along with these tastes I encountered a disappointing harshness, a rough edge that surprised me in a cigar with at least 5 years of age on it. This rough edge reminded me of an RJ Cazadores, perhaps pleasant to some palates, but not appealing to me.

As this cigar moved into its second part, I was looking for a change, but what I tasted was more of the same—pepper, espresso, and sweetness, but with an element of brute strength, not finesse, with a lingering aftertaste was unpleasant, that I tried to tame with a bit of rum.

The final third of this cigar had raw power, the strength of a cigar that could have knocked me over if I had not eaten a good dinner. The peppery taste remained, along with hints of the mocha and espresso that I had noticed before, but I found myself disappointed. I thought that I would have far preferred to smoke a PSD4 or an RJ Exhibition #4, cigars with some of the same tastes, but with a better balance.

Throughout, this cigar produced a lot of smoke, burned perfectly, and did not require any corrections or relighting.

In summary, this was a good cigar, not a great cigar, not one that I would seek out again. Maybe this cigar is just not a good match for my tastes. I would give it three smoke rings out of six, or 80, out of 100, a good cigar, but its taste did not match its reputation.

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Sorry to hear of your disappointment, Professor. When I last tried one of these, a couple of years ago, they weren't ready. Thanks to your review, I won't waste one for a while. I even got a box of the 2006 version, and haven't tried one of those, either. Maybe before I die, who knows?

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Secured a box of these in August of '05. I loved their strength and profile and smoked quite a few.

The last one I smoked from what is now a half box had mellowed and I didnt like it as much. I have not smoked any from the '06 release so I am unable to compare.

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» Sorry to hear of your disappointment, Professor. When I last tried one of

» these, a couple of years ago, they weren't ready. Thanks to your review, I

» won't waste one for a while. I even got a box of the 2006 version, and

» haven't tried one of those, either. Maybe before I die, who knows?

I sampled a 2006 last summer and was at the top of list. IMO it has potential for the long run and a solid 95. Much better than 01.

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