Continuing the trend of reviewing my "short" smoke acquisitions, here comes the Partagas Short!
First Impressions
I had high expectations on this stick, and I was not disappointed. I have never smoked a Partagas before, so this was my first experience. I see why they are beloved.
Right off the bat, the feel and presentation were excellent. A really solid cigar, heavy for its size and perfectly shaped. Some veins on the wrapper, but nothing to mare the beauty of it. Everything screamed "premium", the way a true cigar should be. Just holding the stick was enough to fill me with excitement.
PXL_20240205_155820091.MP.jpgPXL_20240205_155823065.jpgPXL_20240205_155825604.jpg
Lighting Up
The first few puffs really set off the prevailing trend for this smoke. The draw was excellent; a minor resistance that for me is perfect for truly savouring a cigar. Woody and earthy notes begin to assemble with just the right amount of punch, nothing too overwhelming. The retro has some spice, but again nothing unpleasant. Immediately I'm struck by how good this cigar smells, letting the smoke waft up so I can enjoy the scent as well as the flavour.
PXL_20240205_161031972.jpg
My initial reaction is to equate it to a somewhat Romeo y Julieta blend, with more power but less nuance. Leather, earth and wood are dominating the first 1/3rd. There's little excitement in the retro, it's mostly smooth with the occasional hit of spice. Again, I'm blown away by how good the cigar smells, but I can't help but wonder if the aroma is more exciting than the flavour.
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Moving onto the 2/3rd, the flavour remains the same. Very little evolution, maybe more leather pushing forward. This stick demands to be smoked slow, the ash sticks well, and the draw remains impeccable. I begrudge removing the band.
PXL_20240205_163402197.jpg
Occasionally there is a harder spice hit on the retro and the smoke texture thickens. Even as I continue to smoke, I am amazed by how solid the stick feels, the head remains unaffected by the heat or the moisture. Again, I am left wanting for development in flavour, but yet appreciative of the consistency - a strange dichotomy.
PXL_20240205_164205825.MP.jpg
As I move towards the final 3rd, every remains the same. The flavour, the construction, the experience. I continue to savour right to the last moment, letting the 2nd and final ash build. I have spent just under an hour with the stick at this point, and appreciated every moment of it.
PXL_20240205_164721033.jpgPXL_20240205_164858523.jpg
Final Thoughts
This was a beautiful, but almost boring cigar. The flavour profile was very traditional and likewise enjoyable, but at points I felt like I wanted some extra kick. Maybe I am greedy to want more when I already received so much.
Overall, the highlight for this cigar was the construction. It showed what is achievable when rolled with care and kept me smoking right to the end, I wanted to give the same consideration and care in smoking as the people did in creating.
I will definitely smoke these again. I think that paired with a strong coffee, it could really make for a relaxing Sunday morning smoke. At around 1 hour for me to finish, it is not going on my short smoke rotation, however!
Final Score
7.5/10
First Impressions
I had high expectations on this stick, and I was not disappointed. I have never smoked a Partagas before, so this was my first experience. I see why they are beloved.
Right off the bat, the feel and presentation were excellent. A really solid cigar, heavy for its size and perfectly shaped. Some veins on the wrapper, but nothing to mare the beauty of it. Everything screamed "premium", the way a true cigar should be. Just holding the stick was enough to fill me with excitement.
PXL_20240205_155820091.MP.jpgPXL_20240205_155823065.jpgPXL_20240205_155825604.jpg
Lighting Up
The first few puffs really set off the prevailing trend for this smoke. The draw was excellent; a minor resistance that for me is perfect for truly savouring a cigar. Woody and earthy notes begin to assemble with just the right amount of punch, nothing too overwhelming. The retro has some spice, but again nothing unpleasant. Immediately I'm struck by how good this cigar smells, letting the smoke waft up so I can enjoy the scent as well as the flavour.
PXL_20240205_161031972.jpg
My initial reaction is to equate it to a somewhat Romeo y Julieta blend, with more power but less nuance. Leather, earth and wood are dominating the first 1/3rd. There's little excitement in the retro, it's mostly smooth with the occasional hit of spice. Again, I'm blown away by how good the cigar smells, but I can't help but wonder if the aroma is more exciting than the flavour.
PXL_20240205_162124005.jpgPXL_20240205_162801760.jpg
Moving onto the 2/3rd, the flavour remains the same. Very little evolution, maybe more leather pushing forward. This stick demands to be smoked slow, the ash sticks well, and the draw remains impeccable. I begrudge removing the band.
PXL_20240205_163402197.jpg
Occasionally there is a harder spice hit on the retro and the smoke texture thickens. Even as I continue to smoke, I am amazed by how solid the stick feels, the head remains unaffected by the heat or the moisture. Again, I am left wanting for development in flavour, but yet appreciative of the consistency - a strange dichotomy.
PXL_20240205_164205825.MP.jpg
As I move towards the final 3rd, every remains the same. The flavour, the construction, the experience. I continue to savour right to the last moment, letting the 2nd and final ash build. I have spent just under an hour with the stick at this point, and appreciated every moment of it.
PXL_20240205_164721033.jpgPXL_20240205_164858523.jpg
Final Thoughts
This was a beautiful, but almost boring cigar. The flavour profile was very traditional and likewise enjoyable, but at points I felt like I wanted some extra kick. Maybe I am greedy to want more when I already received so much.
Overall, the highlight for this cigar was the construction. It showed what is achievable when rolled with care and kept me smoking right to the end, I wanted to give the same consideration and care in smoking as the people did in creating.
I will definitely smoke these again. I think that paired with a strong coffee, it could really make for a relaxing Sunday morning smoke. At around 1 hour for me to finish, it is not going on my short smoke rotation, however!
Final Score
7.5/10
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