Partagás shorts

Yeah, just finished the Vegas Robaina Unicos and now the first Partagás of this blog! This particular brand was established around 1827 and has a very wide selection of current production and also discontinued cigars which are highly respected among collectors. The flavor profile is usually considered to be one of the fullest in Cuban cigars and therefore their aging potential is often very good. This one is my second shorts so I have some expectations and I've heard good comments about the cigar. Let`s party `cause it`s time for Party!



Brand: Partagás
Type: Shorts
Vitola: Petit corona (minutos)
Size: 4,3"/110x42
Origin: Cuba
Box: from 2010





Appearance/construction (3,5 points)

 This little fellow is tied with nicely coloured and oily wrapper although it has some water spots and cracking on it. The cap, packing and everything else seems to be in order. When pressing, the cigar feels very hard so I hope the draw is fine.
..."clip"...
..and the draw couldn't be better!


Flavor (3,5 points)

1/3: KABOOM!! A flavor fist against the face and lots of easy, creamy smoke. The Party has salty and peppery start with nice toastiness as well. It feels more like second third to me at this point already.


2/3: I've heard some people saying that Partagás cigars sometimes tend to have a metallic kind of taste and I have to say that somehow I agree. At this point there is some leather notes but they`re mixed with a strange iron character. It doesn't bother me that much but I wonder if it`s gonna go away with more than four years of age.


3/3: Wooh, this dwarf has got some N-vitamin which we know better as nicotine. Flavor-wise I find roasted dark bread, leather and maybe some nuttiness. The last smoke clouds of this Party are pretty harsh and hot for me so officially: the Party's over folks.

Smoking experience (3 points)

If the whole cigar would had been like the first third with a better progression, it could had been a five-star cigar. After the first third I had to use my torch a few times to touch it up and I think I smoked it too quickly which may be the reason for the last third's bitterness. After all, a very potential stick. This should be in everybody`s humidor.


Quality-price ratio (5 points)

Good aging potential, cheap price and a cabinet of 50. Way to go!!

Hippie's judgement


Appearance/construction: 3,5
Flavor: 3,5
Smoking experience: 3
Q-P ratio: 5

The average: 3,75

The final grade is 3,5!

Hippie's flavor profile: 1

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Partag|as

   

Vegas Robaina Unicos

Aaaand Hippie says hello and happy new year! Did you miss me? No? I`m sad... Well actually that`s OK because no-one is reading my blog yet:)
Christmas passed by with it´s pleasures and joys so it was difficult to do anything with cigars. So to sum up it`s been a while since my latest review but I`m ready to do some serious smoking this year and it starts with Vegas Robaina Unicos!

Brand: Vegas Robaina
Type: Unicos
Vitola: Pirámides
Size: 6.1"/150x52
Origin: Cuba
Box: 2008




Appearance/construction (4 points)

I`ve always had an image that Vegas Robaina is a respected Cuban brand. Mr. Alejandro Robaina (1919-2010) was one of the greatest tobacco growers in Cuba and because of the brand`s young age they have a small cigar selection in current production which makes me think they put effort on quality. This pyramide cigar looks tempting and convincing. It`s light in hand and little bit spongy when pressing. Is it well packed? Yes it is, no soft spots. The wrapper has a deep beautiful colour and a kind of toothy look. The golden-brown band looks great in it`s simplicity. And blaa, blaa where is my lighter..? ;)

 (not the reviewed cigar)

Flavor (4 points)

1/3: Cut, light and we`re on baby! Hhmm, difficult to say. Actually I`m not getting much at all. No flavor, no smoke and it`s getting hot! One more cut with Xikar and now it works. Very mild, soft, cedary taste and no harshness at all. Man I love the smoothness of aged cigar but usually I get more flavors or images at this point so Unicos has quite a lot more to offer.

2/3: Now this is what I wanted. The flavors have totally changed: toastiness, woodiness, a touch of spice and a lot of leather. Very satisfying and complex mouthfeel at this point although I do miss some kind of sweetness or oiliness that propably would make the cigar even more interesting. Overall, a huge development compared to the first third.

3/3: More progression, more enjoyment! Robaina offers deep, earthy, leathery and toasted flavors but

surprisingly no coffee which is a flavor that many Unicos-like cigars have(usually black coffee etc.). This flavorful third really takes your palate on a deep, rich and malty rollercoaster ride!

Smoking experience  (4,5 points)

This VR unicos was something that every cigar should somehow be. Once the draw opened after the second cut the burn was flawless, almost razor sharp and no touch ups were needed. When cigar acts like this one did, it really gives you time to relax saving your nerves and butane:)The other VR I`ve smoked so far was the Maestros ER Espana 2007 which was one of the best cigars I`ve tried. Overall I have a really good feeling about this brand and I`m looking forward to review the VR Famosos and Clásicos. 

Quality-price ratio (4 points)

If my mind isn`t playing tricks I paid 13 euros for this particular VR and I have to say that the ratio is good if you have patience to wait 6-8 years before smoking. If you find a good offer, buy a box, I know I would:)

Hippie`s judgement

Appearance/construction: 4

Flavor: 4

Smoking experience: 4,5

Q-P ratio: 4

The average: 4,125

The final grade is 4!

Hippie`s flavor profile: 2

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/brand.aspx?brand=Vegas_Robaina