Complete crap weather in the SE today, so delayed driving up to NC for work and cracked open the first of the Christmas sampler. I'm a fiend for Partagas, but less so of the pyramid/belicoso/perfecto type, so figured if I'd try an early one I'd choose the Presidente. A first for me, in my eye it looks a bit odd, but very well constructed overall. It had been sitting in a sistema tupperdor for a week or so, so very early for me, but I've been itching to try one from this sampler. Drinking a stone fence, using the Whistle Pig Rye (highly recommend).
For taste, it was mostly sourdough, but hints of pepper in the middle third. It was damn cold and windy, and I kept popping in to watch the Falcons play like complete crap in between puffs and sips. While a good construction, a bit off on evenness of burn, and not a tremendous amount of flavors for me. Crisp tobacco, sourdough, and cold winter were my predominant flavors lol. I love Partagas, but I may not buy a box of Presidente's in the future. A good sample though, I enjoyed, as I always do when I can relax and smoke a lovely CC