Partagas Serie P No2, my first large cigar

[Davex]

This is my first cigar review, and my first large cigar.
Partagas serie P No2. cost in UK ?15.99
Straight out of the humidor at 67% RH and 23 `c, Smoked outside after a light lunch; 30`c 85% RH, had a can of Heineken with it, unfortunately the Armagnac was finished last night.

Construction\first thoughts; Firm throughout with a slight give, pleasant appearance although there are a few spots on the wrapper, cap looks well placed, the band slid off with no resistance. Pleasant odour. Pre light draw was free and immediately left spice on my lips.

1st part; after the first 3 or 4 draws the initial slight harshness vanished leaving my whole mouth covered with mild tobacco and leather flavours. Copious smoke and the burn seems slow, clean, and even. The greyish ash fell off just shy of 2 inches.

2nd part; now become much fuller in strength and flavour, masses of rich flavours which I find difficult to describe still being new to all this. At this point I am thinking wow what a great smoke, must get more.

3rd part; am left slightly disappointed; after a great middle section the smoke is diminishing and I seem to be drawing more often and longer to get the same impact, flavours now seem a bit muted. Cigar had to be relit with an inch to go. Left it a half an inch.

Overall; Lasted for 90 minutes, a good smoke but towards the end I felt it could have been better, definitely one to try again but while during the middle section I was thinking of getting a box, now am not so sure, maybe just get 2 or 3 and see how they go first. Perhaps I just need to get a few more large smokes under my belt to be able to give a fair comparison?

So, that`s my thoughts on my first large Cuban, would be interested in your views.

[Simon Bolivar]

Dave, Congrat's on smoking your first large cigar, & a choice one at that (I remember my first Churchill was an R&J tubed.) Good review, my question would be, do you know the age of the stick? I would suspect it's less than 2yr old? If so this could account for the slight harshness. When you have got to the stage of keeping a wee stock, then try one that's 3-5yo & I think your find a far superior smoke.

I know it's annoying when cigars go out at say 2-1.5", as I find re-lighting often seems to make it seem harsh & bitter, escpecially if it takes a bit of huffing & puffing to get it going again. I usually put them down by the time the burn reaches the band, only exceptional smokes do I remove the band & smoke on. In a very aged smoke it can be delectable to the last 1/2" or less!

I wouldn't worry about buying boxes of any particular vitola at present. If you find one you like buy half a dozen & smoke at six month intervals, then you'll get an idea how a little age affects the cigar & how green or aged you prefer them. In the meantime keep trying different smokes, enjoy the variety before settling oa few fav's to by boxes of. You will find your tastes change quite alot in your first yr or two of smoking & those that you raved about initially might not float your boat next year.

Looking fwd to reading your reviews of the other sticks you mentioned. Would have the Boli on a full stomach though

[bfg84]

Good first reveiw mate, i also agree with simon and think that stick to buying a few single of each for now before you go for a box...

[Davex]

Thanks for the advice mr B,
The stick was bought individually so do not know it`s age, i do take your point though, think as i work through my current stock, which are all undated apart from 3 i will get a better idea of what to buy in larger quantities. Must get a bigger humidor, to think i thought 150 would be enough

[Puff Scotty]

i thought 150 would be enough

So did we all Dave, so did we all....

[tippexx]

So did we all Dave, so did we all....

Didn't we just.

Good reviewing Dave. A couple of little tips. 1) Never be afraid to ask a retailer for a box date even if you're buying online. 2) When you start to pick up harshness as you did in final third, try purging the cigar, the object is to clear away gases that build up behind the burn. There are several ways to do, TJ I've no doubt will advocate the full blown Coro method, I prefer just to gently blow back down through the cigar for 30 seconds or so. Seems to work!

[donkeydrop]

some good advice there tipexx , stuff I didn't know thank you.

[smokin_e2011]

Good first review, this is one cigar that has never let me down, try buying a few more singles or even a 10 count box and go from there...