Partagas 898 SOA ABR 08 (MPRW)

[FireDigger]

This is a box I bought from FOH back in 2009. The fact that these are twelve years old plus the fact that the Partagas 898s have been rarely seen these days make them precious, not to mention this is one of the great examples of the aromatic wood tasting cigars out there.

I smoked this on a cool 58° mid-morning here in Central Texas. Prelight, the cigar had a great sheen to its wrapper with some tooth. My cut of choice was the punch. The cold draw was too loose to my liking. After lighting, the draw tightened up and was perfect. I was hit with a ton of smoke that coated the mouth with thick, musky, earthy woodiness. There was some spiciness that lingered. I was very pleasantly surprised by how intense the flavors were right out of the gate!

After about an inch, the intensity calmed down to a cedary smoothness with some minty taste. At the end of the second third, the cigar went out inexplicably and required a relight. This ended up being a good thing as I got some great tastes of roasted chestnuts.

In the final third, aromatic wood started to build. I double-puffed, hoping for more toasted nuts, but didn't get much of that. It ended with slightly more mintiness along with the wood.

Overall, this cigar did not disappoint. If memory serves me right, the cigar lost some of its intensity, but is still very potent. I give it a solid 8/10. I only have two more left from this box. ?

 

[mprach024]

12 year old 898 is precious indeed, thanks for sharing those wrappers are gorgeous!

[FireDigger]

One more thing to add is that I bought this box a month before getting married. Now, we have two beautiful daughters and are in our third house. More than just a cigar, it just makes me reflect on all the ebb and flow of life since I've had this box.

[guideright]

Great comments on your life journey with this box. Part of what makes cigars wonderful...

[99call]

08..... 898's,  one the all time great years for this cigar.    I remember a 10 box of these, which were laugh out loud good.   Sadly all 898's since have been medium bodies at best

[cfc1016]

On 10/24/2020 at 6:30 PM, 99call said:

08..... 898's,  one the all time great years for this cigar.    I remember a 10 box of these, which were laugh out loud good.   Sadly all 898's since have been medium bodies at best

Shouldn't we call that... a 3-4-3? ?

I've still got most of a box of BLP NOV 08, stashed away for special occasions. 1998 hoyo churchills, 2001 PSD3, and ~1983 montecristo especiale no. 1, coming to mind as the comparable "special occasion" level sticks in that stash.

Every 2008 898 I've enjoyed thusfar has been good enough to write home about. Maybe I should burn one soon...