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

Cabaiguan Coronas Extra

Size: 46 X 143 (5 5/8")
Shape: Corona Gorda (Grand Corona)
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut-shade)
Smoking time:
Beverage: Glenfarclas 21 Year Old

Cabaiguan is a boutique brand produced by the well-known Pete Johnson of Tatuaje fame. Many of the Cabaigaun vitolas have received rave reviews as flavourful and complex mild- to medium-bodied smokes, so we thought that we'd give one a shot. Today's review is of the Cabaiguan Coronas Extra, one of my favourite sizes (the Cohiba Siglo IV and the H. Upmann Magnum 46 come to mind as tried-and-true favourites).

The Cabaiguan we smoked for this review were very well made (as we've come to expect from Pete Johnson) with a very firm feel and an ample draw. The cold draw revealed faint notes of orange peel but not much else. We lit the cigar using the three-match technique and I immediately got a nice kick of Nicaraguan spice and wood. We both noticed how Cuban-like this cigar tasted, much like the Tatuaje Artistas we reviewed last year, with a faint tea-like quality. However, the spice quickly subsided, and the cigar faded into a very mild profile with a charry finish. As the cigar progressed into the second third, I found some notes of molasses (good and not overly sweet), but had difficulty picking out any other flavours. The last third brought on a little more strength and body, with notes of oats and earth on the finish. However, I found the cigar lost my interest, despite some other notes of nuts and wood coming in near the end.

Overall, I expected more from this cigar, but still enjoyed its mild-to medium profile. I'd probably smoke it again, but I'd likely pick something else if given the choice. The Cabaiguan Coronas Extra receives the fair rating of two Fidels out of five.

- Carlton