Partagas Serie P No. 1

Size: 50 x 127 (5.0")
Shape: Petit Pyramid
Filler: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuba
Smoking Time: 1 hour
Beverage: Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Burbon
Box Date: September 2010

Never to be idle producing only standard lines, Habanos S.A. releases a number of special and limited production cigars every year. To encourage smokers to purchase more than the standard-production cigars when passing through duty-free, Habanos periodically releases a semi-limited run of (supposedly) travel retail-only cigars, either unique in their packaging or size. This year it was both with the Partagas Serie P No. 1, a new size packaged in an admittedly alluring black ceramic jar. However, like many Cuban cigars that are meant to be sold outside of Canada, we were able to pick up a few of these sticks from our local tobacconist and had to give them a haughty review.

The two Partagas Serie P No. 1 that we smoked for this review were both well constructed and had a nice sheen to them. These cigars are exactly the same dimensions as the Bolivar Belicosos Finos, and the wrapper struck me as similar to many of the BBFs that I have smoked. The cap clipped easily to reveal an excellent draw, and pre-light notes were of tobacco and earth. After lighting with three matches, the cigar produced plenty of spice and pepper in the first few puffs. Generous body and strength was evident, with some tannic flavours overshadowing the earth and mild sweetness. My colleague also detected some ammonia, a hallmark of young tobacco. As the cigar progressed into the second third, the body moved from medium-full into full and we noticed flavours of sweet oak and earth. The youth of the cigar was still evident with the tannic flavours persisting in the background. The final third revealed flavours of wheat, leather, and spice, but a harshness built in that forced us to end the cigar a bit prematurely.

The Partagas Serie P No. 1 was an interesting, unique smoke that retained some of the essential Partagas flavours while surprising us with something new. It would likely be a prime candidate for aging, especially in the humidified jar that it comes packaged with. After a few years, this will probably be a well sought-after smoke, especially if production is limited only to this year. However, as it is now, the Partagas Serie P No 1 earns a respectable three Fidels out of five.

- Carlton