Nice Ash – Cigar Reviews by Brian Massey
Partagas 1845 Corona Extra – This Is Not Your Father’s Partagas
Partagas is a brand that needs no introduction – it’s a staple in the cigar community and always delivers a consistently good smoking experience. The Partagas brand has been around for 167 years, which for any company is extremely impressive. Their latest release, the Partagas 1845, pays tribute to that fact, and with a few key changes to the tobacco, promises to be a completely new and refreshing smoking experience.
With that being said, let’s talk about what this cigar is made of and what makes it different than the rest of their traditional line of cigars. The outside wrapper is Ecuadoran Habano leaf and has a rich dark look to it with a beautiful oily sheen. The binder is Connecticut Habano, which Partagas spent nine years developing its sweet and strong characteristics. Last but not least is the Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero and Seco filler which is cultivated in three distinct growing areas. The select Nicaraguan fillers are aged in Dominican rum barrels; a proprietary process that enhances their aroma.
Now that you know what the cigar is made up of, the first thing you’ll notice is that this combination is very unique for a brand like Partagas. The cigar has all the looks of something that will be extremely complex and well blended. I’m smoking the Corona Extra, which is the smallest size of this line. When sampling a new cigar I usually like to smoke the smaller sizes first as the thinner ring gauges offer a more intense taste of the overall blend. I cut the triple cap and take a dry draw and instantly get a hint of what’s to come: rich flavors of coffee and earth tones even before even lighting up. I use my torch to fire up the foot of the cigar and take a few puffs. Immediately upon lighting I can tell that this cigar is prime for smoking with no resting time required. Partagas has always gone to great lengths to assure that their cigars are perfectly aged and ready to smoke right away unlike many of the other newer lines that require extra time in the humidor before they reach their full potential. I can’t even tell you how many new niche brands are rushed to the shelves without proper seasoning just for the sake of making a quick buck.
The opening flavors are that of rich cream, spice and cocoa with an amazing aftertaste that really just keeps pushing me forward in the cigar. When you reach the middle, the flavors get a bit more pronounced on the coffee and cocoa side and I really think this has to do with their new outer leaf. The cigar is dynamic and has a few changes throughout; keeping it interesting and flavorful the whole time. The body is consistently medium and the lighter smokers may consider it medium to full-bodied. The finish starts to develop an almost creamy caramel flavor and the cigar just keeps delivering. When I hit the golden eagle cigar band, I thought to myself “I don’t want this cigar to end”. The cigar from start to finish delivers on everything it promised before lighting it and I’m very impressed. It’s a great after dinner smoke to be enjoyed with a cup of espresso or a good single malt scotch.
In conclusion the new Partagas 1845 is a great new smoke! Partagas hit a homerun with the new blend and gave a cigar with so much history and legacy a great new spin that really stands out amongst its competition. Everything about this cigar is great – the new look, the new blend, and the price point is right where it needs to be for something new and refreshing from the Partagas line. Grab some at JRCigars.com today!
