Partagas D2 LE 2003

[Ken Gargett]

When doing the big clean up, found these and thought it time to try a few. Interestingly to start, they were tightly packed yet showed no hint of box press. The wrapper was a very dark brown with black splotches, not particularly attractive. Cold, a lovely aroma of chocolate, tobacco leaf, spice, truffles – very encouraging. Seemed to have good construction. Kicked off with flavours of rum and raisin and rich chocolate cake. Also spice and beef stock. Dense smoke, waves of flavour, smooth and balanced and quite subtle as well. Complex. A cracker. Now this is where I am going to wish I kept my metaphorical mouth shut. I am assuming I am not the only person on the planet for whom a song will start, out of the blue, in very special moments For me, for general special moments (passed an exam, caught a great fish and so on and on), I automatically start singing Neil Young's 'Like a Hurricane'. Sorry. I just do. If I have just had a great wine or a great cigar, it is Dylan's 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again'. Well it wasn't long before I was belting it out. A sure barometer that this is a great smoke for me. And no, I do not do this in public.

The cigar evolved into some toasty notes and smoky bacon. It was a wonderful match for the Mount *** Extra Old Rum on the rocks.

What was amazing about this cigar was how cool it was. Almost cold. It did not get hot, even warm at any time. This one went right to the nub. There was a long aftertaste, which I think is very different to the finish, and no bitterness at all,. The finish was all truffles and seriously good Valhrona chocolate and fruit cake. Fabulous cigar and, in retrospect, I'm ashamed to say I only gave it 95.

[anacostiakat]

Pretty much fits what I remember of these. Both the D2 LE and the D3 LE '01 that I have smoked were excellent and very similar. I do have a box of the D3 LE '06 but I have no intention of opening them. I must rummage around and see what if anything is left of these.

Thanks

[Jimmy2]

Mount *** ? What kind of rum is that it sounds like something they serve on Christopher street in NYC or the bath house by Robs place.

[PartagasIV]

Mount *** is the rum of champions...perfect for rum & tonics in hot weather.

[brian1]

Spot on Ken. Have them, Love them. As I have said before Partagas make the best EL cigars BUT one must be patient for them to show their greatness.

[lz6]

Thanks for the review. The D2 for me is head and shoulders above the balance of the Partagas LE's. Love the wrapper

on the or of these and I find them with more "active" Partagas characteristics, smoother, chocolate undertones and a nice long finish.

[shrink]

Love it. Love it. Had a Party D1 2004 EL recently? Another one on the road to nirvana.

[Ken Gargett]

Love it. Love it. Had a Party D1 2004 EL recently? Another one on the road to nirvana.

shrink, brilliant.

and jimmy, mount *** is the oldest continually produced rum in the world and the extra old is stunning (and about $30 duty free at the moment - unbelievable). it is also smithy's (and possibly minismithy's) favourite drink.

[craigos]

When doing the big clean up, found these and thought it time to try a few. Interestingly to start, they were tightly packed yet showed no hint of box press. The wrapper was a very dark brown with black splotches, not particularly attractive. Cold, a lovely aroma of chocolate, tobacco leaf, spice, truffles – very encouraging. Seemed to have good construction. Kicked off with flavours of rum and raisin and rich chocolate cake. Also spice and beef stock. Dense smoke, waves of flavour, smooth and balanced and quite subtle as well. Complex. A cracker. Now this is where I am going to wish I kept my metaphorical mouth shut. I am assuming I am not the only person on the planet for whom a song will start, out of the blue, in very special moments For me, for general special moments (passed an exam, caught a great fish and so on and on), I automatically start singing Neil Young's 'Like a Hurricane'. Sorry. I just do. If I have just had a great wine or a great cigar, it is Dylan's 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again'. Well it wasn't long before I was belting it out. A sure barometer that this is a great smoke for me. And no, I do not do this in public.

The cigar evolved into some toasty notes and smoky bacon. It was a wonderful match for the Mount *** Extra Old Rum on the rocks.

What was amazing about this cigar was how cool it was. Almost cold. It did not get hot, even warm at any time. This one went right to the nub. There was a long aftertaste, which I think is very different to the finish, and no bitterness at all,. The finish was all truffles and seriously good Valhrona chocolate and fruit cake. Fabulous cigar and, in retrospect, I'm ashamed to say I only gave it 95.

I love the D2

[Jakester]

shrink, brilliant.

and jimmy, mount *** is the oldest continually produced rum in the world and the extra old is stunning (and about $30 duty free at the moment - unbelievable). it is also smithy's (and possibly minismithy's) favourite drink.

Ken,

I don't mean to hijack your review of the Party EL, but wanted to chime in and agree on the MG Extra Old. I've been getting more and more into the aged rums, and this is a great one. Another that has really impressed me is El Dorado 15yr - just fabulous and probably my #1 right now. Ron Zacapa 23 yr is just a shade behind these two, at least for my palate, but is also excellent. Going to crack into a bottle of Gosling's Old Rum this weekend, to see how it stacks up - can't wait! Cheers.

[Ken Gargett]

Ken,

I don't mean to hijack your review of the Party EL, but wanted to chime in and agree on the MG Extra Old. I've been getting more and more into the aged rums, and this is a great one. Another that has really impressed me is El Dorado 15yr - just fabulous and probably my #1 right now. Ron Zacapa 23 yr is just a shade behind these two, at least for my palate, but is also excellent. Going to crack into a bottle of Gosling's Old Rum this weekend, to see how it stacks up - can't wait! Cheers.

zacapa is finally available in australia, including the XO, which i have never seen or tried before. actually had another D2 and some extra old MG with rob last night. love 'em both (the cigar and rum i mean).

[sje]

still have a box and a half of these, my favourite cigar of all time (big statement but very true)

great review, much as i remember, i had earth and leather but just a brilliant cigar.

love how it made you burst out into song, i great cigar somethimes makes me reach for my IPod and listend to James brown, Sly Stone and so many others i would not dream of telling you all.

s