Partagas De Partagas #1 -- CUE JUL 03

[ColtM1911A1]

Please bear with me as I have never done a cigar review before, and will try to copy the format from some of the better posters...

I bought this box of almost seven year old Partagas de Partagas #1 from the son of a lifelong Cuban smoker who met with a tragic automobile accident -- he was killed in a head-on by a drunk driver a few weeks ago. Long story short, the son is selling his cigars from a rather large humidor before, as he says, he ruins them from not knowing how to store them. I have also bought several more boxes which I may report on later. Anyhow, here goes the review:

-- a well constructed cigar with full aroma upon opening the box. A full barnyard smell, strong and lasting. These cigars were aged perfectly, IMO, and came through the seven years in great shape (as they should be from an experienced cigar smoker)...

-- draw was excellent after lighting up a square and even foot. The typical Partagas spike of strong pepper grabbed the senses, and the flavor said this was going to be a special experience...

-- first 1/3 was as complex as any Cuban I have ever smoked. Not a hint of youth (as expected) with multiple flavors. A typical high quality Cuban Partagas...

-- second 1/3 was even better. I didn't want this fantastic cigar to burn away it was so pleasurable an experience. I'm a slow smoker, and that is just what this cigar needed. Keeping it cool brought out all the goodness. This certainly was a strong cigar, but as smooth as a baby's behind to the palate. I do believe this Partagas had to be at its absolute peak age...

-- final 1/3 brought more rich, earthy, and pepper flavors, mixed in with the strongest cherry I can ever recall in a Partagas or other Cuban. No bitterness, not even a glint of harshness; the perfect ending which was smoked to a finger-burning nub. The only consolation not wanting the experience to end was that I had 24 more of these beauties in my humidor.

Summary, this smoke gets a 99.9 out of 100. The 0.10 deduction came from a band that was a bit too tight when I tried to remove it. And as I've always heard (and can now confirm) aging a fine Cuban to peak is a pleasure few have truly enjoyed. I thank my friends father for having the fortitude to resist smoking these cigars until they were aged to perfection. May he rest in peace....

[stargazer14]

Sorry to hear how you came about these cigars, but glad you enjoyed that one!!

Its always nice to see someone give a an almost perfect score to a cigar,

its like seeing someone win the lotto.

[Bartolomeo]

Great, detailed review, thanks for contributing!

Bart

[LeafLover]

Well done.

[android]

I scored a box of these a few yrs. ago and they are very good...Happy to have this discontinued box DTF NOV 03

[thechenman]

Nice review...sorry to hear about how you came upon these cigars and the others you purchased, but I am sure that your friend's father would be happy knowing that his cigars are going to someone who will truly appreciate them. Enjoy...

[MontrealRon]

Many thanks for your excellent review of this classic cigar.

While it is indeed tragic that the gentleman who bought and aged these cigars

never got to enjoy them,

at least his son may take consolation that they did not end up either wasted or with strangers.

And surely, whenever you smoke one, you will remember him once again.

Thanks again, and please keep up the great work!