PARTAGAS PIRAMIDES EL Mar 01

[MontrealRon]

This is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, so we had family and friends over for a big dinner.

My best smoking buddy came, so it was time to roll out the good stuff.

Our before dinner smokes were Partagas Serie de Connaisseur #2, Feb '04.

Excellent, powerful cigars, still very young.

After dinner came the real treat.

The Piramides were a joy to look at, and felt great in the hand.

Not a hard or soft spot on either.

The cigars both lit up evenly, and burnt straight as arrows to the end.

The draw on mine was exactly as I like it, with enough resistance to avoid any overheating.

From the first puffs, the flavour was virtually explosive.

Deep and dark, with hints of forest underbrush, mushrooms, and damp soil,

mixed with flashes of toasted walnuts and freshly dark-roasted coffee beans.

Like a Bolivar on steroids!

It just went on and on, and never faltered.

The scent in the room was totally intoxicating.

We just looked at each other across the table, smiled and nodded.

Not a word needed to be said.

As the cigar progressed, the power kept ratcheting up, carrying the cascading flavours along.

The final third was almost too much, like trying to ride a wild horse.

I'm writing this three hours later, and I'm still in its throes.

Never has a cigar given me such an overwhelming experience.

These cigars are still young at nearly nine years of age.

Near the end, there was the lightest hint of ammonia.

My score : 96 points, with another one or two yet ahead.

Nineteen cigars left in the box.

[bassman]

By far my favorite EL. Only have 3 left.

[aavkk]

wow, having read a few opinions very similar to yours here about this cigar I am ready to open my wallet and pay whatever for them. Unfortunately PCC didnt put any of these away for the vintage program and its hard to trust ANY European vendors for this particular cigar with all the brilliant looking fakes. Its a shame.

Great review, thanks!

[MontrealRon]

wow, having read a few opinions very similar to yours here about this cigar I am ready to open my wallet and pay whatever for them. Unfortunately PCC didnt put any of these away for the vintage program and its hard to trust ANY European vendors for this particular cigar with all the brilliant looking fakes. Its a shame.

Great review, thanks!

Hi there -

If you are ready to pay through the nose, the only safe possibility would be the major London merchants.

Apparently, they bought considerable stocks, which were not too well received by the critics at the time,

so initial sales were poor.

These companies, being very traditional, are also used to holding stock long-term.

There might well be some boxes left.

Though British taxes make the prices excessive, at least you could be sure of authenticity.

Hong-Kong might be another possibility, but you would have to be really careful of the source.

Perhaps Sr. Ayala might be of help in locating a genuine box.

It never hurts to ask.

Best of luck.

[Guest rob]

Unfortunately PCC didnt put any of these away for the vintage program

I'm pretty sure they did.

In fact, I bought 2 boxes of them (as part of the "vintage release" program) from a PCC retail outlet.

[El Presidente]

Great review Ron

It is cigar experiences such as these which keeps us coming back. A little like that perfect golf shot a round....the perfect fly cast.

[Mr.T]

Thanks for the great review. This cigar was my wedding day cigar and it was outstanding. It was so smooth and rich. I'll never forget that smoke.

I echo the comments above that if you are willing to fork over some serious cash you can still find these from some very reputable dealers in London and you can rest assured of their authenticity.

I plan on picking up some singles if there are any still around by the time the Holidays roll around.

thanks again for the review of a wonderful cigar

[Colt45]

In fact, I bought 2 boxes of them (as part of the "vintage release" program) from a PCC retail outlet.

Egggggcellennnnt......