LIVE REVIEW: Late 70s Partagas 898

[maverickdrinker]

Got this from a private sale from a trusted BOTL.

I recently tried a recent production Partagas 898 and wondered what a vintage one would taste like. I pounced on a sales that a friend of mine was having for a fiver of these. They were late 70s Partagas 898s but couldn't remember the actual year. I trust him so no worries about that or provenence. Good karma I guess.

The cigar itself looks old. The wrapper is a faded caramel brown. Reminds me of on ald well worn, comfortable leather chair. The wrapper has a soft finish to it as I glide my finger across it. There is 3 little light coloured spots on the wrapper. Nothing to really worry about.

The wrapper itself has a very light aroma of caramel, with a touch of coffee. Very delicate.

The foot is well packed. Looks like it was rolled in the entubar method. Construction is flawless. No soft spots to speak of.

Cold draw has loads of cedar, toffee and hints of expresso.

A quick punch through the nicely constructed triple cap and we are ready to tgo.

A couple of cold draws shows little resistance. Cedar, toffee and expresso come through again.

Time to take this to the flame...

 

[Jfire]

Whole ... Ly..... Chit........

 

[maverickdrinker]

Big blast of cedar from the onset. *Hits me like the opening bell of an MMA fight. *The cigar says I may be old but you will pay attention to me.

This cigar is mucho fuerte. *Nothing calm about this 898. *Huge cedar, woodiness, black coffee almost bitter, star anise, zambuca and a slight texture of toffee.

You can chew the flavours in your mouth, it is that strong. *

The ash is a very "Dirty" grey. *The draw is open. *Billows of smoke with each puff. *No resistance to speak of. *Would like to see a bit of resistance however, I am ok with this.

Gonna have to 'sip' this cigar as the power of this cigar has taken me by surprise. *Might have to get some water to drink as I smoke this. *( maybe an emergency can of coke as well *LOL)

*a few more puffs confirm that this is a strong mofo...

Time to ease into my chair and prepare for the onslaught of strength and flavour.

 

[maverickdrinker]

2nd third
The first third was like fighting Mike Tyson in his prime. *Bone crushing blow after bone crushing blow. *The strength was both undeniable and unapologetic. * *

I felt like the fool who shouldn't be in the ring and I am waiting for the round to end so I can watch the hot babe in the electric blue bikini shake her stuff around the ring while I get stitched up by my cornerman.

The cigar starts to settle in now. *Still big strapping salvos of cedar, star anise, black licorice and black coffee. *The sweetness of the toffee starts to pick up though. *Either I am getting punch drunk or I am starting to see this 898 settle in. *

The finish is loonnngg. *Nice clean tobacco flavours, interlaced with toffee, expresso, and zambuca. *Reminds me of the time I did flaming zambucas with my buddies in my 20s and recall little of what happened afterwards. *All I know is that I heard I had a good time and asked her what her name was the next morning. *LOL. *That was the last time I did flaming zambuca shots!!!

Burn line is fabulous. *There is something to be said about how a well constructed, well aged cigar burns. *It's just different. *I am guessing it is due to the time the cigar has slept in a humidor, allowing the tobacco to dry out naturally and really amalgamate into something wonderful. *All I can say is that age may have allowed this to burn fantastically, however, it's been doing P90X in the humidor all these years as this cigar has balls.

This cigar is keeping my attention as with each draw, I wonder, will the strength dissipate or not? *So far, the answer is no.

 

[maverickdrinker]

final third

The strength of this cigar is impressive. *i am on my 2nd glass of water as i smoke this. *The routine goes like this: *One puff, enjoy the flavours. *2nd puff, the cigar sends me reeling. *One BIG GULP of water to reset the palate, give some time to recover and repeat!!!!

The smoke coming off this cigar is equally impressive. *Wafts of blue smoke engulf the cigar from both ends after each long draw. *A nuttiness flavour that I didn't experience in the first 2 thirds has entered the foray.

The cigar has actually done the opposite of most cigars I have smoked. *The power has died down. *Some floral notes are apparant as well now, complimenting the holy trinity of cedar, zambuca, and black coffee. *The sweetness of the toffee notes have also become faint. *Only every few draws, I get the toffee notes. *

Seems like I have weathered the flavour/power blitzkrieg of this old 898. *I wonder if this is what people meant when they say how much they miss the 'old way' Habanos used to do things. *

This cigar has it all. *Flavour, strength, fantastic burn, and flawless construction. *Everything a cigar should be. *

The afterfinish coats the mouth, even after a nice dose of water. *This is not like getting a watered down cocktail at a local bar. *This is a full freeflow pour of flavour. *

 

[maverickdrinker]

Final impressions:

I can see why people go gaga over vintage cigars. The strength and concentraton of flavours are humbling and mind blowing!!!

If I were to see these come up for sale again, I would not hesitate to pick them up if I knew the person selling them. These are delicious, powerful sticks. Robust, complex, and chock full of flavour.

Might be time for a nap or cold shower after this 898. LOL

 

[Bass man]

Very nice review. Some cigars from the 70s would be expired by now, but those Partagas were built to last. I recently had a couple 898s from 94 & they were indeed strong impressive smokes.

 

[javajunkie]

that is just amazing that a cigar in the 30-40 year age bracket can be that DENSE! i mean, i know it conceptually, but still, wow! it sounded like a wonderful experience, and thank you for sharing it!

 

[Alwayslit]

These don't suck

 

[BMack]

Amazing review on an apparently amazing cigar! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Jfire]

One of these days I will smoke a pre 96 898V. Thanks for letting us live thru you!