The Partagas Heritage blend is meant to celebrate the perseverance and passion of the Partagas brand that has been around for 170 years. These are the principles that have guided Partagas for more than 170 years. Today we are reviewing the Partagas | Heritage Robusto.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Jhonys Diaz and his team developed the blend more than ten years ago, saving it for a special occasion. Honduras is known for growing some of the best wrappers in Central America.
Partagas Heritage uses a proprietary leaf that was grown in the revered volcanic soils of the Olancho San Agustin (OSA) Valley that has only been previously used in the Partagas Spanish Rosado. Only viso leaves were used in Partagas Heritage, meaning no ligero, which normally adds strength and spice, and no seco which is the mildest tobacco.
The blend also uses a CT Broadleaf binder and filler from Honduran Jamastran leaves, and the same Dominican Piloto Cubano and Mexican San Andres tobaccos that comprise Partagas 160. The cigars are protected in wooden boxes containing 20 cigars each. The cigar comes in four vitolas: Rothschild (4.5 X 50) priced at $8.49 per stick, Churchill (7 X 49) $9.99 priced at per stick, Gigante (6 X 60) priced at $9.59 per stick, Robusto (5.5 X 52) priced at $9.59 per stick.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Olancho San Agustin (OSA)
Binder: CT Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: General Cigar Dominicana
Blender: Jhonys Diaz
Number of reviewers: 5 – John I. (John I.) Isaac M.(The Nothing) Adam B.(Bushboy) Eric(smalls29) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf)
Price: $9.59
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: March 2017
Contributed by: General Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“A nice little robusto with a medium brown wrapper. The leaf has very pronounced lines but the seam is hard to see. The cap looks solid and the binder looks loose. All positives for me.” –Eric (smalls29)
Aroma: 89
“Very light aroma. Dusty, and grassy. Hay and barnyard.” –John I. (John I.)
“This cigar started with a blast of black pepper. Very woody and earthy notes and definitely tons of flavor. This cigar wasted no time and went 0-60 real quick. Licorice flavors develop after a few puffs. The smoke is very gummy and flavor packed.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Right away I am greeted with deep and peaty earth notes and lingering black pepper. Each puff greets me with very heavy smoke production with a long and spicy finish.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Blind Cigar Review: Partagas | Heritage Robusto
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Ash dropped in my lap as I stared at it and contemplated tapping it. I hope I’m not developing telekinetic powers. I don’t think I’d handle them responsibly. Anyway, it was nice while it lasted, a little flakey, but it looked for all the world like a big crooked stack of dimes. Nearing the halfway point, there’s still not much change in the flavor profile. If you like peppery, this is for you. There is some leather beginning to develop on the finish. By the finale of the second third, the strength has settled to a definite medium. The burn has become a bit off, but is correcting based on the position of rest on my ashtray. Overall the construction has been a dream ” –John I. (John I.)
“Wood notes, mostly oak, became more dominant in the second third, overriding the earth flavors of the beginning portion. It was accompanied from time to time by a nutmeg component that came and went throughout this part of the cigar. After a great performance in the first, the second third required occasional touching up of the cigar.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Blind Cigar Review: Partagas | Heritage Robusto
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Mildly sweet and definitely savory smoke. Started running a bit hot in the final third, although this might be because I can’t stop puffing. Slightly toothy woody flavor. Some spice remains. Reminds me of ginger bread cookies.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“At this point all of the flavors have morphed into one flavor of wood. Still good to me but not as complex as the first and second parts. The sweetness is gone as is the distinct cedar. Just woody flavors now.” –Eric (smalls29)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 90
“A touch tight at the beginning, although it opened up to an easy draw after about the first third. No complaints although there was a difference in draw from beginning to end.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Burn: 89
“The burn became a bit way past the halfway mark, but never became detrimental to proper operations.” –John I. (John I.)
Construction: 93
“Solid. The cap punch with no problem and as I approached the final third, I had to hold it between my index finger and thumb. It held up well at this point.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Despite some initial flashes of promise, my overall feelings are that while this is a perfectly nice cigar, it fall far short of being something exceptional. Well constructed, and enjoyable, but far from being blissful.” –John I. (John I.)
“This cigar came with enough flavor changes and variations to keep me interested, but at the same time nothing that was what I would call memorable. It’s something that I would like to visit from time to time as I think it would be useful to tease the palate with it’s ménagerie of flavors but not what I would consider as part of my regular rotation.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“I really enjoyed this cigar. The flavors were plentiful and full and right in my wheelhouse. The aroma of this cigar is the reason I started to smoke cigars. Something about the smell reminded me of my childhood (I realize this sounds corny, but it is true). I will definitely be smoking more of these in the future and just hope the price tag is kind to the wallet.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Even though the final third was sort of a let down, overall I am impressed. The sweet leather and cedar flavors were wonderful. The spices and peppers in the back ground were a nice addition. The flavors did morph into a woody taste in the final third but did not detract from the wonderful experience. This would be an nice addition to my humidor. However, I cannot quite figure out what drink I would pair with this one. Maybe a nice peaty scotch or a strong flavored espresso.” –Eric (smalls29)
“The first two thirds of this cigar were quite nice…nice enough that I’d like to try another to test out my theory on the ending. The flavors were full enough to be attention catching without being over bearing…this has a lot of potential, in my opinion.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Partagas | Heritage Robusto
Overall Score – 90 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Partagas | Heritage Robusto
Summary
"I really enjoyed this cigar. The flavors were plentiful and full and right in my wheelhouse. The aroma of this cigar is the reason I started to smoke cigars. Something about the smell reminded me of my childhood (I realize this sounds corny, but it is true). I will definitely be smoking more of these in the future and just hope the price tag is kind to the wallet." -Adam B. (Bushboy)
