Blind Cigar Review: Partagas | Aniversario Robusto (Pre-release)

Cigar Info

General Cigar‘s master blenders spent the past four years developing this limited edition cigar, in anticipation of Partagas‘ anniversary. The team has called Partagas Aniversario one of the best cigars they have ever made. Alan Willner, vice president of marketing said, “We set out to honor the legacy of Partagas with a special cigar that highlights the unique range of flavors that can only be achieved by blending with proprietary tobacco. This cigar pays tribute to the Partagas brand and to the cigar masters before us who passed down their expertise and their love of tobacco. Our new product development team did a wonderful job developing a blend that we are extremely proud to call Partagas Aniversario.” Today we are reviewing the Partagas | Aniversario Robusto.

The four-country blend encompasses a meticulously-configured combination of ligero and viso leaves from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, and includes a proprietary Nicaraguan Gurdian leaf. The binder is Connecticut Havano. Partagas Aniversario is crowned with a stunning, organically-grown Cameroon wrapper cultivated exclusively for General Cigar by the Meerapfel family in the equatorial forest of Kadei. There, the rich soil is awash in nutrients, eliminating the need for fertilizers. Sun grown and harvested from the highest priming, the wrapper leaf lends a layered, nuanced approach to the art of the cigar, imparting buttery notes and a rich, peppery flavor. Partagas Aniversario will comes in three frontmarks, each protected in 10-count boxes and shipping in September. Salomone 7.25 x 54 SRP per cigar is $17.99, Toro 6 x 54 SRP per cigar is $16.99, Robusto 5 x 50 SRP per cigar is $15.99

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Connecticut Havano
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
Factory: General Cigar Dominicana
Blender: Jhonys Diaz and General Cigar Blending Team
Number of reviewers: 4—–Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Craig (WyldKnyght) Gregg (McGreggor57) Emmett (BMP_Emmett) Price: $15.99
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: October 2015
Contributed by: General Cigar

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“This Robusto sized cigar had a nice, smooth maduro colored wrapper with a couple bumps. There were some thin to medium sized veins and a barely visible seam. The cap was a regular double.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Aroma: 90

“Leather and faint barnyard comes off the wrapper while a sweetness accompanies the barnyard at the foot. A little cedar is noticeable on the cold draw.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The first third has quite a bit of pepper but isn’t overwhelming. I also pick up a semi-sweet chocolate, and espresso notes. There has been a number of burn issues so far, none that have needed any touch ups, but it is pretty wavy thus far.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“The first puffs have quite a bit of spice and a background of earth. A little further in, the spice has died down and this thing is a straight up flavor bomb. I’m getting everything from coffee to cocoa to spices. The burn and draw so far have been impeccable.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The second third brings with it some floral to compliment the allspice and nutmeg. A little coffee and chocolate mingle in the background adding a bit of depth. At the halfway mark, leather begins to develop and the floral starts to fade.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The first third was such a wild ride, it’s hard to follow that up. This third has seen an uptick in strength and spice, but does not have as much complexity. The core flavor has taken a shift towards earth. This third hasn’t been as exciting as the previous, but still a very good third by any other standard.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The final third has transitioned, and while it still has the core notes of chocolate, it has picked up a slight nuttiness, and a bit of anise. I am really blown away with how quick this cigar has smoked, and I can’t even recall the last time I finished a cigar as fast as this one.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“The burn was still a little wavy but fairly straight. I was getting lots of spicy pepper flavor. This cigar was burning hot and I had to use a nubber.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“This stick had a solid draw the whole way through.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

Burn: 91

“Uneven at first, but after a touch up it was fairly even, with a little waviness.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Construction: 92

“Great construction on this cigar, from the appearance to the draw to the burn, almost nothing to complain about.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 89

“I enjoyed this cigar, but it smoked really fast for me, I wasn’t puffing on it like a chimney either and it just took me a bit by surprise. I have to say it was an enjoyable smoke, but I kind of like a bit longer of a smoke to just kick back and relax with. If you are in a bit of a time crunch and are looking for a good smoke with a limited amount of time, this is the cigar for you.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“Although it was a hit or miss cigar for me, I did find it too spicy for my liking. There were a couple issues but nothing to say this was an awful cigar. I would give it a good rating and would give it another try after some rest.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“The initial off putting after taste lingered on my palate for most of the cigar. There were flashes of solid flavors that unfortunately never achieved any type of balance. The lack of dimension and ultimate harshness would make me shy away from smoking another one.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“This is a very enjoyable cigar, especially the first third. If time will turn the second and final thirds to be more like the first, this would be a world-class cigar. Even still, it was really good. I would definitely buy at least 5 of these. I would recommend this to anyone but a novice.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 52

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Jeff	ExpendableYouth)	90	88	90	90	90	90	88	90	90
Craig	WyldKnyght)	90	92	88	88	88	92	88	92	88
Gregg	McGreggor57)	88	90	85	88	85	90	90	90	85
Emmett	BMP_Emmett)	97	90	95	92	90	92	97	95	95

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

–

Blind Cigar Review: Partagas | Aniversario Robusto (Pre-release)