FireDigger Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Thanks to the Prez, Smithy, and Lisa, I received this box earlier in the year from the first quarter sales. After sitting on this beautiful box for all these months, I figured it was time for a review, my first on the forum. I'm still very green in terms of smoking CCs (started in 2007) and don't smoke that much, so take this from the point of view of a young palate. Enjoy! Appearance: 9/10 - Beautiful long, slim, oily wrapper. Great construction. The pre-light aroma was very strong. Burn/Draw: 8/10 - I clipped the head with my nails to a draw that was perfect. The burn was good with a bit of a burn issue that required a retouch about 2/3 way through. Taste: 7/10 - My first draw was very complex, but seeing the foot was only lit around the edges, I torched it a bit more and puffed a few times to get it going all the way. This was a bad idea since it tasted a bit bitter from overheating. I let the cigar cool down a bit after that. The first third was good tobacco taste. In the second third, there were hints of nut and cedar wood and very smooth. The taste did not get very complex, but remained smooth. Towards the end, after ashing, the burn became onesided, which led to an unpleasant bitter draw. Would have liked more flavor but did not get it. It was a strong cigar, leaving me a bit light-headed afterwards. Overall: 7/10 - I dry-boxed this cigar for a day before smoking since it felt a bit wet right out of the humidor. The cigar was somewhat underwhelming, but I think it still needs some time. I can tell it has potential since the smoke on the palate was very thick, but the flavors have not come around yet. Will wait a few months before trying another one from this box. Total smoke time was about one hour.
thechenman Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Congrats on your first review. I thought it was very well done. I myself only began posting reviews last week. The pictures really add something to the review. Thanks for sharing them. I have no doubt that these cigars will get better after you've laid them down for a few more months.
olotti Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Thanks for the review, I've been really wanting to get a box of these myself. That pic of the opened box is beautiful, nice work.
jquest63 Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Excellent Pics and Review. I felt much the same about the 898 I smoked recently. Same year as yours.
Guest rob Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Total smoke time was about one hour.[/img] Great review FD. I don't know how smoked it in an hour though. I smoke these every week... and the quickest I can smoke them is 1:45. Last night I had one that burnt great and it took 2:15... but I am inheritely lazy... so maybe I need to lift my game.
maalouly Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 Great review FD.I don't know how smoked it in an hour though. I smoke these every week... and the quickest I can smoke them is 1:45. Last night I had one that burnt great and it took 2:15... but I am inheritely lazy... so maybe I need to lift my game. rob, some people smoke faster thn others. I am similar to you it takes me around an hour and half maybe a bit more. A robusto usually takes me about 90 mins but I only puff on the cigar every 30 to 50 seconds, I find this method great as my cigar never gets overheated.
FireDigger Posted September 5, 2009 Author Posted September 5, 2009 Hi Rob, I'm definitely going to go slow next time. I probably rushed this one which might explain why I did not enjoy it as much as previous 898s. I also left it with a good two inches left (as can see from the last picture), so maybe that explains the short smoke time.
aavkk Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 thanks for the great review, I really enjoyed your pics as well. Boy they sure do look the part dont they?
bolivr Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 Mouth-watering pics and a nice review. One of my favourite smokes and just like the other guys say, a little time in the humi plus a more leisurely smoking time and you will nail it. This worked for me and meant I had that 'aha!' moment of understanding what all the fuss is about these cigars.
dicko Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 how elegant do these look! thanks for posting
El Presidente Posted September 7, 2009 Posted September 7, 2009 Excellent photo's and an excellent review I am an unabashed 898 fan. There is a richness to them which you can be fortunate to get when they are young but some take a little longer to come around. Put these away a tad longer and I am sure you will be delighted.
Guest rob Posted September 7, 2009 Posted September 7, 2009 I smoked an ugly, underfilled and soft 898v (boxcode SOA DIC 08) on Saturday night.... and gosh darn it - it was fantastic! When I looked at it I was very under whelmed. It was heavily creased from the yellow ribbon pressure point. It was at least 2 ring guages bigger than it should have been. The wrapper was bleh. But once I clipped and lit this sucker.... I was in heaven for 2 hours. Seriously, this is the reason I smoke cigars. I was in heaven!
Bartolomeo Posted October 18, 2009 Posted October 18, 2009 Partagas 898 2008 Light Tan colored wrapper, oily, some minor veins and had some filler hanging out of the foot Even burn, some nice Cuban resistance in the draw and I would say a FULL smoke....which was nice for a change! Pre draw had some cedar tones Initial puff was spicy and FULL......smelled extremely spicy when I lit it up Flavors included Wood, Cayenne pepper, Clay, Salty Tight, Grey log for an ash 78 mins smoke time Backed off a touch in 2/3 with some dry sweetness undertones Finished very nicely Will definitely buy a box of these 9.25/10 Bart
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