Cigar Review - Partagas Naturales Robusto

[CoachDread]

Partagas – Partagas Naturales

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Pairing: Padron Reposado Tequila - Neat


After trying the Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva recently, I was in the mood for a more full-bodied cigar and so I broke out a Partagas Naturales that I have had resting for about 18 months. I was hoping for something flavorful and with decent strength. I was half-right.



Fit and Finish: Excellent construction with small veins and invisible seams. Excellent cap and a nice shiny wrapper. On the nose it gives off cedar and earth. It smells like a cigar should smell. Makes me think of the smells I associate with the old-timers at the local B&M (Note: at nearly 50 I'm not so much of a youngster as I think).

Draw: Standard v-cut gives a nice draw (not too tight and not too loose) and flavors of cocoa and pepper on the cold draw. Yes, this one seems like it will be exactly what I thought it would.

Toast/Light: Easy toasting with immediate light and copious amounts of thick smoke. The smoke smells like the ones at the B&M that the guys light up outside and there is a pepper kick on the first puff.

First third: The draw is excellent as I begin this cigar (and it remains so throughout). The flavors are predominately wood and nuts, with a little hint of cocoa. I honestly expected more cocoa from the taste on the cold draw but it really isn't there. The wood is cedar mixed with something else but I don't know what it is, other than it's just not as sweet as I normally get with cedar. The smoke is a little creamy but it's not knocking my socks off. It's what I would call a “classic cigar taste” from my limited experience. The pepper, while present, is not overwhelming.

Second Third: The burn is even and sharp, the ash is tight and holds for a good 2 inches. The cocoa is making more of an appearance and the pepper is dying down a bit. Nutty, cocoa and increasingly creamy, the middle of this cigar is very pleasant and is pairing nicely with the tequila.

Final Third: The nuts dominate as the cocoa fades out and the woody taste makes its return along with the pepper. It really ramps up the pepper toward the end to remind me that this is a Partagas after all. A little harshness creeps in toward the end but it may be because I am puffing a little more frequently as I am nearly at 90 minutes now. With about an inch left I decide to call it quits.

Final Thoughts: I mentioned that I was half right about my expectations with this cigar. The flavor profile was right in line with what I had hoped and I enjoyed it very much. But it really wasn't nearly as strong as I thought it would be. If I use the Miami Reserva as my guide for a full-strength cigar, this one was in the mild-medium range. Maybe it's because it was rested for a bit. Or maybe I was just a little more accustomed to the strength after the Casa Fernandez. Or, hey, maybe it was pairing it with the tequila. Bottom line it was an enjoyable smoke but not as strong as I expected. I've got a few more and I'm looking forward to enjoying those as well.

Total smoking time: 90 minutes

[TreySC]

Nice review, I would wager it was the down time that affected the strength. I've had a few cigars in the full strength category that had about a year on them and the vitamin N didn't really effect me, and I'm fairly sensitive to it.