October taste test review

[Jimmy2]

I just want to thank Rob for letting the members get a chance to review a cigar.

It was a breezy day here in NY temp was about 55 F.

This Cigar that was gifted to me for the test was one I have never seen.The shape appeared to be a Perfecto and was very excited to smoke this puppy.The color of this stick was medium brown and smooth with little veins.

When I lite the stick up there was plenty of thick smoke and the color of the smoke was blue.It had a perfume smell to it definitely different and a first for me. Their was a tight draw in the beginning but it corrected it self out a short time after.

It had a medium flavor.

Flavor tasted through out were black licorice - pepper -rich sweet tobacco flavor -some chocolate-celery. I could also taste that this stick was still a little young tasting but not much.

The ash was very white on the outside and black and gray inside.

The flavor left in my mouth was very nice and creamy.

All in all this was a great stick and should be in every one humidor.It reminded me of a R&J flavor profile .But I think it is a Cuaba Distinguidos from the Cushion Shape Humidor. I hope Rob lets us all know which stick he pick for this taste test so I can order some.

Score was 88 / 100 with a little more time in the humidor it would have been a higher score.This stick has alot to offer for one who like's alot of flavor with out being over powering.

I had alot of fun doing this taste test and hope all get a chance to give it a try. :-D

[First Lady]

Thanks for the great review Jimmy ......... Now....For the other slacko's (you know who you are) I am waiting with baited breath for your reviews...Remember I know who you all are as I sent them out ;-)

TFL

[El Presidente]

Great review Jimmy!

I am very interested in seeing how this stick is reviewed by the membership.

[Tampa1257]

Nice review Jimmy2.

I received my sample the other day, and will be smoking it probably later this evening. My review to follow.

[Phailure]

Nice review! I look forward to reading everyone else's reviews.

[Tampa1257]

FOH October Blind Taste Test

Figurado – Perfecto

6 ¼ inch x 47 ring

Sampled Oct 23, 2005

I received this Blind Taste Test entry only a couple of days ago. Nicely medium brown Colorado wrapper with a box press along this Tacos Habanos. It appeared well constructed and hand made. The heft felt good to the hand and upon checking the cigar, I noticed that the only “hard” spot was very near the head of the Perfecto, which clipping the cigar removed for the most part.

The pre-draw delivered a fairly firm draw with some resistance. I actually prefer a firmer draw compared to a loose draw because I find that the cigar burns better and slower than one that is like sucking through a straw which typically burns hot and lacks flavor.

After lighting the tip of the foot, the cigar initially started burning well and I was greeted with a mouthful of a sweet peppery spiciness that at least for me is unmistakable. While I have smoked this cigar before, it has been quite awhile since I enjoyed one. I found the flavors a little milder than what my memory remembered, but that did not deter in any way the richness and brilliant earthiness and leather tones that were with this cigar the entire time. This was really a robust cigar packed with flavor and was a pleasure to enjoy.

Depending on the near future, these may very well be the hardest to find at all even though they provide a robust "Old World" style taste that never changed with the major blend change during the mid 90's. The future of this cigar may take a turn because of outside influences that can trigger a major shift in policy. The shear beauty of the cigar is something to behold.

I will need to get a couple of boxes of these one day soon.

The Partagas Presidentes is a very flavorsome cigar. Fidel should be glad that they continue to produce them.

I would rate them a 4.9 on a scale of 6

[Maverick]

Sounds nice,

I cant wait to finally nail a Test spot. I am always just late each month.

Ross...

[Jimmy2]

Thanks All.. Ahhhh a Partagas Presidentes you think sure fooled me.It has differant flavor than other Partagas. Very nice..

[Ken Gargett]

it only arrived today and i am away for a couple of days (not even one of your specials is going to interfere with a lunch at tesuya's). so will get to it asap - tho i am away all next week as well. i'll try, i promise.

[Elric]

I received my sample on Friday. Obviously a Part. presidente.

Very smooth wrapper, some veins but not at all rustic.

Somewhat firm draw but not distracting. Classic Partagas flavors were present but were muted. This could have been a result of youth or the fact that it had just landed. Spicy base flavor with a mild mix of part. tobacco flavor.

I enjoyed this cigar but it clearly died waaay before its time. I'd love to see what this changes to in 3-5 yrs.

[Elric]

» I received my sample on Friday. Obviously a Part. presidente.

»

» Very smooth wrapper, some veins but not at all rustic. I've seen some Presidentes that were downright ugly.

»

» Somewhat firm draw but not distracting. Classic Partagas flavors were

» present but were very muted. This could have been a result of youth or the fact

» that it had just landed. Spicy base flavor with a mild mix of part. tobacco

» flavor.

Very even burn with loads of smoke.

»

» I enjoyed this cigar but it clearly died waaay before its time. I'd love

» to see what this changes to in 2 mos and then in 3-5 yrs.

[Loki]

First off, thanks Rob for the oppurtunity to be in the blind taste test.

After a little pre-smoke research I decided that the cigar in question was a Partagas Presidentes.

This cigar would be classified as a Taco 61/4" x 47.

It has a nice pointed head and a closed foot. The wrapper was medium brown with a few small sun spots. This wrapper also showed a bit of tooth.

Pre-light draw was good just a tad bit firm with a hint of cedar

The cigar lit up nicely (could have used more time in the humi),the strength and flavor that Partagas usually imbues did not kick in until the half way point. There was nice spice and hints of leather and a good core of tobacco flavor complimented by a nice finish.

A rich medium bodied cigar that I would smoke again. 87/100

[Freefallguy]

Nice review Tampa… as always, I appreciate your insight!(Even to the point of wanting to include this one on my next order.)

[habanohal]

Man O man, This sucks! I went through and wrote up a review . I must of hit the preview button instead of submit , then shut down.

Looks like I will half to reminiss and rewrite it

[Spud2]

Nice reviews so far, can't wait for the November review. :-)

[Echeck]

The cigar was a nice perfecto size, with a medium brown wrapper. I figured due to the size it had to be a partagas presidente, or a cuaba. The initial taste gave it away quickly, it was definatly a partagas. It had strong flavors of earth with a touch of spice and definatly anise.

While the flavors were good, the cigar wasint all that complex. There are other partagas cigars that I like way better then this one. 87/100

Thanks for letting me try this stick, I have always been curious about the presidente.

[El Presidente]

Yes it is clearly a Partagas Presidente...no surprises.

This is a cigar which is best smoked after resting it at 63%-65% RH for an extended period of time.

Clipped mine to reveal a firm draw. I am very much like tampa in that I really do enjoy a draw where I need to pull slightly. To me it provides a classic cool burn and maximises flavour.

Not the prettiest cigar to look at but this was a better example than most. The flavour is as I always have remembered it...classis Cuban tobacco, leather and earth. There is no cream, honey, raisings or sweet spice. Just pure unadulterated 100% Cuban tobacco.

Have with a Guinness. The creaminess of the Guinness makes love to the earthiness of the Presidente. It is a marriage made in heaven

This is not a complex flavour stick. It is a throwback cigar and one to have in the humidore.

88

[habanohal]

I new right away it was a Partagas Presidente. But what year would decifer the flavor.

TO light it is the trick for if flame touches too much , it creates massive run in the cigar.

AT 1st draw I did taste the sweetness with an overpowering tobacco taste that told me it had to be a 2004 or sooner box date. Draw was a little tight, but I keep humi at % 67 but that wasnt it for it wasnt in there long.

Took my time with this , so it had an even burn, and if you didnt know what it was , and you were a Partagas fan...well you would know what this was.

overall 89/90

Sorry for the late review and Thanx again Cigar Czar for the tasteings

[Ben]

» Have with a Guinness. The creaminess of the Guinness makes love to the

» earthiness of the Presidente. It is a marriage made in heaven.

Damnit Rob. With that one sentence you've changed my entire night. I was planning on a booze free night, as I've been on the sauce since around 11 this morning. But now after reading that and barely managing to contain the drool, I think a Churchill and a 4 pack of Guinness is on the menu.

[1f1fan]

I would like to thank Rob and Lisa for letting me participate in the October taste test....and apologize for the tardiness of the review.

I received the mystery cigar....a figurado that looked an awful lot like a Partagas Presidente. After a week or so in the humidor I took it out for inspection and incineration.

Construction was good, no overly firm spots to be found. The wrapper was a nice light brown with a few veins…not the smoothest wrapper… but I have seen worse.

After a quick clip with the Palio….prelight test draw was perfect….this one must have been separated from Ken’s stash as it was not plugged at all. Lit her up and away we go….Partagas spice and wood with very faint floral/citrus notes throughout. Taste was consistent and good, with hints of vanilla extract making appearances at the half way point. Smoke volume was good and flavorful…while the finish was a bit "dry" and short…it was still an enjoyable smoke. Hell it is a Partagas so it can’t be bad! :-D

I give it a 86/100

[Tampa1257]

What year production was this Partagas?

[tmos]

Chuck got a Partagas to review. LOL! I bet that tasted familiar.

[Ken Gargett]

okay, granted this may not be absolutely spot on, time wise (it sort of slipped through the cracks and then the prez started beating me round the head to remind me) but seriously, i swear i did my notes without seeing this thread - hell, it has just taken me the best part of 30 minutes to find it. so would be a little disingenuous for me to claim i picked it in these circs.

but as to the actual smoke, may i say that i thought rob's review hit the nail. basically, he was desparately trying to find a way to say it was a pretty average smoke while retaining a shred of integrity and convincing the good folk out there in ether-land that they should buy some. couldn't agree more.

mine actually started to unravel a smidge when clipped - not a great start - but things did not get worse. found some power, some floral and citrus if one really looked hard and worked the imagination to the nth degree. found it a bit dirty on the finish. for me, average at best and a generous 86.