Tweet
I recall that the first Cuban cigar to make me hungry for more of the same was a Partagas SD4; the complex spice, deep flavor, consistent draw, and fine construction made me salivate by simply thinking of it. I had gone on to put the SD4 down as a necessary component of any cigar collection, and after purchasing some Shorts, assumed Partagas as one of the master lines in puro craft.
Much later, I recieved a Lusitania in an excellent trade, and was duly excited; however, the Lusi was a bit of a disappointment given its relatively mild profile, though I've only had one and leave that book unfinished.
But then Big J got me excited about the 898's, and I figured maybe there was a new chapter to the Partagas story. After having a few of these long sticks, I think I can say without reservation that not only is there a new chapter, but I think we have on our hands the climax, if you will, of the Partagas storyline. The spicy Partagas flavor is, of course, back, but there is a heavenly depth of flavor that increases as you move, over the course of nearly two hours, to the nub with a sense of pure satisfaction and disappointment that the thing is nearly gone.
In other words, I believe that the 898 is one of the greatest smokes I've ever had, in my limited experience, and beats out the Short and the SD4 on all fronts. Big J and I have talked about this--why aren't there more raves for this cigar? Let me finish by saying that if you haven't had one yet, your life is incomplete.
Much later, I recieved a Lusitania in an excellent trade, and was duly excited; however, the Lusi was a bit of a disappointment given its relatively mild profile, though I've only had one and leave that book unfinished.
But then Big J got me excited about the 898's, and I figured maybe there was a new chapter to the Partagas story. After having a few of these long sticks, I think I can say without reservation that not only is there a new chapter, but I think we have on our hands the climax, if you will, of the Partagas storyline. The spicy Partagas flavor is, of course, back, but there is a heavenly depth of flavor that increases as you move, over the course of nearly two hours, to the nub with a sense of pure satisfaction and disappointment that the thing is nearly gone.
In other words, I believe that the 898 is one of the greatest smokes I've ever had, in my limited experience, and beats out the Short and the SD4 on all fronts. Big J and I have talked about this--why aren't there more raves for this cigar? Let me finish by saying that if you haven't had one yet, your life is incomplete.
.... just a bit!
Comment