Top 5 Partagas Cigars For 2022
Following on from our series of guides relating to the iconic Montecristo brand, we now move on to observe the works of another highly venerated legendary Cuban marca: Partagas.
Founded in 1827 by Catalan immigrant Don Jaime Partagas y Ravelo, with their first factory being established in 1845, Partagas are another immediately recognisable and beloved Cuban institution, whom compared to even their other long-established contemporaries have a more tumultuous history than most; chequered with innovation, mystery, myth and even murder; so it should come as no surprise that their roster of offerings is as rich and bold as the lore surrounding the brand.
(Note: there is an offshoot brand based in the Dominican Republic, founded post-revolution, which we will not be referring to throughout this series).
With a roster of over a dozen vitolas in their arsenal, it may well induce some degree of option paralysis in selecting which sticks are most worthy of your time, so without further ado we’d like to introduce you to our top five Partagas cigars for 2022, starting with:
First introduced in the 1930’s, Partagas’ “Alphabet Series” originally consisted of 16 sticks of various lengths and ring gauges which were sadly discontinued in the mid-60’s. However, the enduring popularity of the Serie D No. 4 resulted in the vitola being recommissioned in 1975 and subsequently being propelled into a new stratosphere of commercial success, making it effectively the world’s first and most beloved Robusto. As a testament to its excellence, it is worth noting that the Serie D No. 4 is considered to be the second best selling cigar in the world, second only to the Montecristo No. 4!
It’s amusing to note that for a stogie so radically ahead of its time, set adrift in a world of longer, thinner ring gauge sticks, that the Serie D No. 4 attained such critical acclaim in its era when also coupled with the knowledge that Partagas’ blend of tobaccos is notably more powerful than almost any other Cuban brand, which is something the brand can still lay claim to today. When you try a Serie D No. 4, it's easy to see why; throughout the entire smoking experience you find yourself awash in a sea of deep, rich earthiness, leather, minerals, cedar wood spice, sweeter notes of orange and vanilla, tied off with a profoundly nutty finish.
(Also, as an aside while we’re on the subject of flavour, the Partagas flavour profile inherent in all of its vitolas makes for an excellent pairing with Oloroso Sherry cask matured Whiskies, with the D No. 4 also being the perfect pairing for Dalmore’s Cigar Malt.)
Though the Serie D No. 4 found itself to be the lone survivor of the former Alphabet Series for several decades, albeit with the occasional punctuation of Limited Edition releases briefly resurrecting its former compatriots, eventually after a full 30 years it would be joined by a full time companion: the mighty Partagas Serie P No. 2! Now, if you’re familiar with the naming conventions of Cuban vitolas, you’ll have a very good idea of what was to come, a big, beasting Piramides! (Note: Many of the Cuban Piramides are given the designation “No. 2”)
Launched in 2005, the Serie P No. 2 has swiftly developed into a firm favourite of both aficionados and many newcomers to the cigar world alike, so great was the praise heaped upon it that the very launch of the cigar received a DFNI (Duty Free News International) Product Award in the Tobacco category in the year of its release!
It also holds the distinction of being the first Piramides vitola to be alternatively packaged in an aluminium tube.
The Serie P No. 2 is a great stick fresh out of the box, but given adequate time to mature and allow the flavours to marry and refine it becomes an even more special beast!
Regardless of age, you can always be assured that we’d have this monster high up in our list of favourite cigars, Partagas or otherwise!
Whilst we’re on the subject of monster vitolas, we’d be remiss to omit the indomitable goliath that is: the Partagas Serie E No. 2!
First introduced in 2011, the Serie E No. 2 expanded the brand’s “Alphabet” series once again, this time with a rare vitola shape known as a “Duke” previously utilised predominantly for Limited Edition and Regional Edition releases, such as the much beloved Romeo y Julieta 2009 Limited Edition “Duke” and Bolívar 2018 Limited Edition “Soberanos”.
Measuring in at 5 ½″ (140mm) with a whopping 54 ring gauge, the Serie E No. 2 is by far the chunkiest stick being produced by Partagas today, with the wider ring gauge offering a much more cooling smoke which helps to temper the intensity of Partagas’ legendarily powerful blend of tobaccos, while still providing all the same potent assault of flavour that you would find present across the rest of the brand’s offerings, naturally making it a firm favourite among fans of both modern heavy ring gauge sticks and the Partagas brand alike.
Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales
Taking a brief respite from the nigh-on monolithic entries on the list brings us to the far more modest Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales. Taking the form of an “Eminentes,” a very slightly longer version of a Mareva (e.g. Montecristo No. 4), the Petit Coronas Especiales measures in at 5 ¼“ (132mm) x 42 ring gauge, resulting in a punchy yet refined smoking experience. The vitola is a great way to dip your toes into the Partagas experience without having to shell out on a much larger stick, and for those who are already accustomed to the wonders of the brand it can be an excellent choice for afternoon herfing and/or a superb after dinner stick.
When young, it can be a particularly potent and brash affair, but with even just a year or two’s worth of ageing mellows out tremendously while still retaining that characteristic Partagas strength.
Following on from the resounding success of the Partagas Maduro No. 1, Partagas’ Linea Maduro range was expanded to include the No. 2 & No. 3.
Initially showcased at the annual Habanos Festival in 2018, the Linea Maduro No.2 & No. 3 slowly but surely found their way into the hands of enthusiasts worldwide to much critical acclaim.
The Linea Maduro No. 3 bears a slightly more slender ring gauge than its older brother the Linea Maduro No. 1, with a 50 ring gauge, but offering up ever so slightly more length at 5 ¾”; lovingly wrapped with a deliciously sweet maduro wrapper sure to tantalise fans of both the Partagas brand and maduro cigars alike!
All of these excellent vitolas, and many more, can be found in the Partagas section of our website, and as always, for any more information please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
