HdM Particulares and Partagas Presidentes

[ChanceSchmerr]

I thought I`d let my HdM Particulares order sit in my humi long enough, so I joined a couple of navy buddies to enjoy a fine cigar with them.

HdM Particulares - 2002 edition (the 1 year trial they did after the 2001 LE)

Flawless wrapper, sweet smell to the cigar. Draw at cold was a little tight, slight sweetness with almonds.

First couple of puffs - Mild, very mild flavour, a hint of HdM sweetness, draw is VERY tight.

First Third - Cigar is definitely plugged. After a lot of massaging, I manage to get a few good puffs from it. Mild sweetness remains, oak taste overall, not a lot of depth to it. Very little smoke in each puff.

Middle Third - Draw remains difficult. Feels like I`ve blown up 100 balloons for a party, my cheeks are sore! Flavour remains pleasant, but not really evolving. Still mild and sweet. Disappointing, because the Particulares I gave to my friend smoked wonderfully, with no draw problems and an envolving mild to medium smoke. Curses!

Final Third - I gave up by the time i reached the final third. Very disappointing, though not completly surprising, as I have heard this cigar had construction issues. My friend very much enjoyed his though, so that`s something.

Burn/Draw - Draw tightest I`ve ever held out on longer than a few minutes. Burn was very even, however

Pairing - Talisker 10 year (My friend is the Scotchhound - he provided the booze, I brought the smokes!)

Rating - Incomplete. If i had to, I`d give it a 78, based on what I got out of it.

SO........since that cigar sucked, I picked up the emergency smoke I brought with me in case we did have a plugged stick...

Partagas Presidentes

I`m uncertain of the box date on it, I believe it was 2006. Purchased from Thomas Hinds Tobacconist in Toronto in 2008, I`d had it for a year, but hadn`t thought to give it a go until now. I`d never actually tried a Partagas until now - mainly because I originally had shied away because of the perceived strength. I think after a few years of CCs, I`m ready to give the marca a try!

Appearance - Light Tan wrapper. Solid construction from outward appearances, and attractive perfecto with a significant box press. This is kind of how I pictured cigars while growing up as a kid (probably because it looked very similar to those cartoon cigars they have in Bugs Bunny cartoons!)

Aroma is simple tobacco. Draw at cold is spicy on the tongue, lots of pepper here!

First couple of puffs - Now, HERE we go! TONS of smoke with each puff, and a perfect draw to boot! I notice the strength difference right away between this and the HdM - loads of pepper and spice on the tongue. Glad I waited to try this!

First Third - Enjoying this cigar immensely. Pepper taste is prevalent, but an underlying smoothness calms it somewhat so that it doesn`t punch me every time. Something like a plum taste in there too. The Draw is fabulous. Can`t believe how night and day this is from the Particulares.

Middle Third - Still enjoying this. It is pairing extremely well with the scotch I had now, 16 Yr Talisker. Lots of spice remains, but the slight plum is gone now. A woody profile makes itself known, and whereas in the Particulares, the Oak taste really highlighted how nothing really was going on with that cigar, with the Presidentes, the woody taste is very complimentary - It highlights the flavour and smoothness of this cigar. Burn is fantastic.

Final Third - I`ve been sitting for the length of this cigar, because I know when i get up, I`m getting the spins. Wow, this cigar packs some heat ! The Pepper taste becomes broader and more pronounced, and I realize that my scotch is almost gone, and I`ll have no way to calm the tongue soon! Still, I can`t put this one down, it`s just too good. Never harsh, just full bodied and smooth. Smoked it down to the last 3/4 inch.

Burn/Draw - I`m surprised the fire dept. didn`t show up, with all the smoke this baby was putting out. Loads of smoke with every perfect draw. The burn started out a bit uneven but quickly righted itself and stayed straight.

Pairing - 16 Yr. Talisker

Rating - 90/100 I really enjoyed this cigar, despite everything I`d heard about Partagas strength being true! A smooth cigar that would have rated a 92/93, if only it had had some more depth of flavour beyond the spice/pepper and that hint of plum. Definitely going to stock on these soon!

Particulares gets another shot, probably in the new year.

Partagas - I`m going to be trying more of them now! Still going to wait a year before I try that behemoth Salomones I have though, I`m no sadist!

Sorry theres no pictures!

[Colt45]

Thanks for the reviews!

If you are looking for other Partagás to try, give a thought to any of the Serie du Connaisseur line, and the 8-9-8.

[ChanceSchmerr]

Thanks for the reviews!

If you are looking for other Partagás to try, give a thought to any of the Serie du Connaisseur line, and the 8-9-8.

Exactly the ones I've decided to pick up, actually! - After all of Piggy's photos, I have to try the SdC's, and the 8-9-8 I hear too much about not to give it a try.

I would also like to try the Serie D and P....but I think I will wait off on those for now.

[bassman]

Thanks for the reviews!

If you are looking for other Partagás to try, give a thought to any of the Serie du Connaisseur line, and the 8-9-8.

Excellent choices. I wouldn't bother with the Salamone, though. Far too mild & not enough flavor for such a large cigar.