Cigars.ie

Partagas D no5 - Limited Edition 2008

Partagas has always been one of the favourite brands of cigars.ie so we are happy that the Partagas D5 is the first 2008 limitada we will be reviewing. The D no5 is the smallest vitola in the limited edition series and the 5th addition to the Partagas D series. It is a Petit Robusto, one size smaller that its big brother, the D4. Like all the vitolas in the Limited Edition series, all the tobacco leaves used in the cigar have been aged for 2 years.

The cigar is well constructed and presents a dark brown, smooth and oily wrapper. It is very tightly rolled, something that made us fear the draw will also be tight.

Upon lighting, the cigar is medium-bodied and presents peppery and earthy flavours. As we expected, the draw is quite tight but not unpleasant.

On the second third the cigar is still tight. The flavours are still persistent, however lacking complexity. The wrappers seems to be very quite moist, burning slower that the filler and binder, causing the cigar to go off. Towards the end of the second third, the taste opens up, the flavours get stronger and the cigar finally fills your mouth with smoke and flavours.

On what we would normally consider as the last third, the cigar is resting on the ashtray. Once it has started becoming enjoyable, it gets so hot that you cannot finish it. It leaves you wondering why Mr Partagas decided to make it so small!

Overall, The Partagas D no5 did not meet our expectations. It did not present many of the typical Partagas characteristics and it took nearly three quarters of the cigar to be burnt until it becomes enjoyable. Not  great value for money, as the limited edition ring adds to the cost (and to the expectations). However it is still a young cigar and given enough time in the humidor, it could get much better.