One of my favorite vitolas from one of my favorite marcas, the Partagas de Partagas No. 1 is a slightly box pressed Dalia (lonsdale).
http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Partag|as#Partag|as_de_Partag|as_No.1
Perfectform (from the CA forums) and I each enjoyed one of these recently and I very much looked forward to smoking my last one. Since this cigar was discontinued in 2003, I figure I will most likely never come across these again and I might as well review the experience and share it with you all.
Aroma at cold is sweet with the loads of milk chocolate, cocoa, cedar, and vanilla. Pre-light draw is woody in flavor and fairly firm but workable.
Construction leaves much to be desired. There are moderately sized veins, a couple of very noticeable soft spots, and the wrapper is rather blemished. This was definitely the worst looking of the PdP1s I bought.
First third
My palate is blasted with pure leather off the light. After a few puffs, white pepper notes begin to mingle with the leather. The burn canoes for a moment, but quickly corrects itself. At the 1/4-inch mark, the smoke smells of burnt caramel and the cigar is just under medium bodied. The vanilla I smelled prior to lighting has manifested itself in the flavor of the smoke. Macadamia nuts are also detected. The finish becomes slightly dry at the end of the first third, but not enough to diminish my enjoyment of the cigar. The body is solidly medium now.
Second Third
Leather is still the dominating flavor here. Caramel take the place of the white pepper. Floral notes appear in almost undetectable subtlety. Smoke is still exhibiting a sweet aroma, now almost resembling brown sugar. Caramel flavors subside and a delicate honey taste takes its place. Buttered toast, a flavor I typically find in H. Upmanns, makes an appearance at the end of the second third. Vanilla, cocoa, and cream are flavors I rarely find in Partagas cigars, but I am delightfully surprised to experience them with the PdP1.
Final third
The draw has steadily opened up since I first lit it. The cigar is now medium-full in body and the characteristic Partagas leather, earth, and spice has really opened up. The sweet flavors have given way to black pepper, earth, and a slight creamy spice. The age on this stick has allowed these flavors to blend harmoniously.
Overall impressions
This was one fantastic cigar! Although the cigar was fairly ugly it was a joy to smoke and review. My only true complaint about this cigar was the dry, very slightly dusty finish. For an otherwise sublime smoking experience, I give the PdP1 a 95. Had the finish been more pleasant, it could have easily been a 96.
[ame]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/schbond/PdP1.jpg[/ame]
http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Partag|as#Partag|as_de_Partag|as_No.1
Perfectform (from the CA forums) and I each enjoyed one of these recently and I very much looked forward to smoking my last one. Since this cigar was discontinued in 2003, I figure I will most likely never come across these again and I might as well review the experience and share it with you all.
Aroma at cold is sweet with the loads of milk chocolate, cocoa, cedar, and vanilla. Pre-light draw is woody in flavor and fairly firm but workable.
Construction leaves much to be desired. There are moderately sized veins, a couple of very noticeable soft spots, and the wrapper is rather blemished. This was definitely the worst looking of the PdP1s I bought.
First third
My palate is blasted with pure leather off the light. After a few puffs, white pepper notes begin to mingle with the leather. The burn canoes for a moment, but quickly corrects itself. At the 1/4-inch mark, the smoke smells of burnt caramel and the cigar is just under medium bodied. The vanilla I smelled prior to lighting has manifested itself in the flavor of the smoke. Macadamia nuts are also detected. The finish becomes slightly dry at the end of the first third, but not enough to diminish my enjoyment of the cigar. The body is solidly medium now.
Second Third
Leather is still the dominating flavor here. Caramel take the place of the white pepper. Floral notes appear in almost undetectable subtlety. Smoke is still exhibiting a sweet aroma, now almost resembling brown sugar. Caramel flavors subside and a delicate honey taste takes its place. Buttered toast, a flavor I typically find in H. Upmanns, makes an appearance at the end of the second third. Vanilla, cocoa, and cream are flavors I rarely find in Partagas cigars, but I am delightfully surprised to experience them with the PdP1.
Final third
The draw has steadily opened up since I first lit it. The cigar is now medium-full in body and the characteristic Partagas leather, earth, and spice has really opened up. The sweet flavors have given way to black pepper, earth, and a slight creamy spice. The age on this stick has allowed these flavors to blend harmoniously.
Overall impressions
This was one fantastic cigar! Although the cigar was fairly ugly it was a joy to smoke and review. My only true complaint about this cigar was the dry, very slightly dusty finish. For an otherwise sublime smoking experience, I give the PdP1 a 95. Had the finish been more pleasant, it could have easily been a 96.
[ame]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/schbond/PdP1.jpg[/ame]
