Thursday 19th July

[crusse]

I decided to try my first ever Nub today, which I won in Simon's Falklands cigar quiz (Thanks again Simon! ) I think that this must be the largest ring guage I've ever had - a whopping 64!


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[molecularstudent]

I decided to try my first ever Nub today, which I won in Simon's Falklands cigar quiz (Thanks again Simon! ) I think that this must be the largest ring guage I've ever had - a whopping 64!

Definitely not a small smoke!! How did you find it?

[Zigatoh]

At least that's the torpedo shape, try the 60 straight sided ones for a RG to test the jaw!

PLPC for me

[crusse]

Definitely not a small smoke!! How did you find it?

It produced loads of creamy smoke, and there were some nice woody flavours in there, but it was a bit mild and one-dimensional. Overall I'd say that it's a good smoke for when you're doing something else and not concentrating on the flavours too much - a decent but unexciting everyday smoke. I'm saving the excellent Cubans that I also received from Simon for when there's better weather...hopefully I won't have to wait till next summer!

[Zigatoh]

Do you know what Nub it is, looks like a Cameroon? I believe the Habanos and Maduro are a bit stronger flavourwise... In an odd way they intend to be one dimensional, the marketting is that they hit the 'sweet spot' of a cigar from the start, so it's kind of their thing!
Personally I enjoy the 460 habanos I have in that very unchallenging way...

Plpcs are yummy btw

[crusse]

Do you know what Nub it is, looks like a Cameroon?

Yeah I think that it's the Cameroon, but I'm not 100% sure as I received it from Simon: It didn't have a band on it so it might not be made by Oliva and could be from another brand but in the same format.

[pedro]

A macanudo cafe first of the 3 I picked up last month, very little smoke and quite mildImageUploadedByTapatalk1342722487.765730.jpg

[molecularstudent]

I'm a bit worried to smoke this one, but very intrigued. I hear nothing but good things about these on here, and as I said in an earlier post, often the result is giddyness and giggles whenever they are mentioned! Partagas 898 Varnished.
I have purposely not read any reviews on these cigars as I want to try to make my own mind up, so lets see!

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I hadn't really had a good look at the stick when I bought it and so I'm slightly surprised at how long it is. This was the same for me with the Boli GMs...they are deceptively long IMO.

The construction of the 898 is beautiful, you can tell that the wrapper leaves for these are specially selected...very very thin and flawless. I mentioned in the post when I bought this that in the box I was picking from there were 12-13 cigars with cracks at the cap end. Unfortunately when I cut the top off this one a crack opened up.....must be a bad batch. Or its just not humidifying nicely...I've never had any problems with Gestos humidity (if anything they are slightly more humidified than I would have it at), and plus this stick has been in my humidor at home for a week or two at the humidity I normally smoke at. I can tell you that I wouldn't have been happy to buy a box of these and find they were all cracked!!

Anyway!

The pre-draw flavour is all hay, very pleasant and the draw is firm but nice.
Time to toast the end and light! First draws produce very little smoke. There is no powerful Partagas hit at the beginning with masses of creamy smoke like you expect and get from a D4. Rather it is more subdued, more elegant.

Well into it now.
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The draw has opened up considerably but still requires a couple of pre-puffs to get a decent mouthful of smoke. Some citrus coming through, and some sweeter flavours from time to time which I can't put my finger on, perhaps slightly burnt caramel. You'll notice a little hairline crack in the photo above, its almost like the box was dropped at some point. It doesn't appear to be from over-humidifying as there is no mushyness and characteristic bulging of the filler. Its like the wrapper is just too dry....weird, as I said, its been with all of my other cubans which don't suffer from this problem.
The ash holds on nicely and looks how I would expect it to look from a cigar of this pedigree, grey with characteristic draw marks.
The smoke emanating from the cigar is lovely. I don't normally enjoy the smell of cigars smoked by other people when I am not smoking (especially NCs!) but this is not offensive at all, quite pleasant.
I get the feeling that this is a connoisseurs cigar. One which requires a mature palette to tease out all of the flavours. And there are a lot of flavours in this cigar. Myself, for now, prefer something stronger, harsher, something which makes me know I am smoking a cigar and it is trying to kick my ass. I am hoping that the final third will provide me with this. Then I can say that this cigar is an all rounder. Starting off mild, elegant smoke, subtle flavours. Moving into portions packed with flavour and more 'fuller' smoke.

Equally I think this is a cigar to enjoy with friends on a summers evening after dinner. Long and relaxing.

Will report back on how it finished once I get there.

[Vortigan]

Beautiful Chris!! That's one of those cigars that I shamefully still have never tried but know I'll love once I get there! looking forward to hearing your final thoughts.

[molecularstudent]

Final thoughts on the 898:
The last half or so really opened up, lots of lovely smoke. The lovely flavours stayed throughout, and as I expected it got stronger and stronger. The aroma coming off the cigar was really nice.
I think I will buy another couple of singles next time I'm on a singles trip. As I said, I'm more about the power of a cigar and love to be surrounded in plumes of smoke. Largely this cigar didn't offer that, but it was a fabulous cigar nonetheless. I think I will keep a couple in the humidor to share with friends when we have a bit of time on our hands.
The only cigar of this size that I can compare it to is the boli GM, and I have to say that at this point in time I prefer the GM. This is probably due to my amateur palette, as I imagine that as I grow and mature I will come to appreciate this cigar in the light that it obviously deserves.
Happy smoking everyone

[crusse]

I've got to say that I prefer the GM to the 898 too (but only a tiny bit). I think that the Lonsdale format can be one of the most rewarding if all goes according to plan, but they have to be smoked slowly and do often suffer from a tight draw. It sounds like your 898 had a bit of a draw problem to be honest.

[Wardjrz]

Dippy no.4 for me tonight.

8-9-8 ! I keep saying it but I really must......

[molecularstudent]

I've got to say that I prefer the GM to the 898 too (but only a tiny bit). I think that the Lonsdale format can be one of the most rewarding if all goes according to plan, but they have to be smoked slowly and do often suffer from a tight draw. It sounds like your 898 had a bit of a draw problem to be honest.

I think you are right about the draw problem. I didn't want to say anything as it was my first one and I wasn't sure how it was meant to smoke. Anyway, I will get another couple and report back I think you might be right about the Lonsdale format too....definite transition of flavours and strength, makes for interesting smoking!

[molecularstudent]

Dippy no.4 for me tonight.

8-9-8 ! I keep saying it but I really must......

How is the Dippy 4?

[Simon Bolivar]

Crusse, my apologies for not listing the nub but checking back on my records (I inherted these as a job lot & it was the Cubans I was after), they seem to be Balas Stubbs from 2007. Yes only possible to smoke as a torp I think! Very mild but a decent dog walker or preparing the BBQ type smoke, ready for something much superior after the meal. M..S the Party 898 is a wonderful stick. Lonsdales (cervantes) do have the rep of having tight to impossible draws but i agree they are a great smokers format. Big enough to carry some complex flav's & smaller enough to smoke without the ladies getting too bored & making you rush the last third (don't you hate that?), abouth t elenght of time it takes to play a decent game of chess.Party.898.2010.05.24_036.jpg SeeParty.898.2010.05.24_040.jpg Tippex's review. Party.898.2010.05.24_1420.jpgArf does excellent reviews & I do the photo's, here's some shots taken after a BBQ & even the one of the rarer 898's the RA, which I smoked in Hamburg.RA.898.2009.07.31.080.jpg