Partagas Rothschild Fresh Packs Review

Partagas Rothschild Fresh Packs Cigar Review

10/12/2022

Partagas Cameroon wrapped cigars have been one of my favorite cigars going back at least 15 years.  My go to cigar was the Robusto.  They were small, but packed a good 50 minutes of smooth, spicy, flavorful medium smoking pleasure.  I bought a few boxes like 10 or more years ago.  Then, it seemed the quality and flavors were a bit lacking so I turned elsewhere.  Then, 5 or so years ago, Partagas offered the fresh packs of 6 Rothschilds for more than a buck less than the box prices per cigar. I can't remember the price, but it was such a bargain that I bought like 6 packs.  I'm still smoking the more than a dozen cigars left.  Most, I pulled out the fresh packs in order to age them.  If you've bought a box of these Cameroon cigars, you already know they need like 6 months of aging before they get good.  We'll, these should be ready.

Right after lighting, I taste cedar and sweetness. Pretty mild but leaves good sweet flavors in you mouth. Taste lots of caramel and mils spiciness.  Damn, it's already running with at what looks like a void inside.  I correct it with a drop of spit.  No relighting, I hope. 

It's smoking great now.  Adding more spices.  Sweetness develops into more darker flavors.  More like a dark toffee now, with just a tad bite of spice coming through. Cedar is coming out again on top of the spiciness.  Another damn. I gotta correct the same run. Again. Even after wetting a quarter of the head, it's still smoking good.  Maybe this is slowing down this well aged stick.  It's not a big cigar, but it's going 20 minutes now and only a third done.  I think it would smoke better, although  faster, without the terrible void that seems to run the entire length of the cigar.  It's a shame that Partagas had let their flagship line become poorly rolled.  I don't know what was going on 5 - 10 years ago, but I think it caused them to change and abandon the classic band for a new look. I admit I haven't tried the new versions.  Let's hope they're better. I'll review one sometime in the future.  I used to be the biggest Partagas fan and look to come back. 

40 minutes in and the cedar and spice are very strong now, slightly burning my tongue. I can feel it now.  This cigar wants to fully develop but it seems held back by the bad roll.  It's leaving full flavors of caramel, cedar, spice, and now oak on the palate.  Because I'm smoking it hard, I feel its power more. Still a great cigar, but very high maintenance. 

Partagas is about the best Cameroon smokes out there and this one is trying to stay true to that honor.  It is redeeming itself on the last 1/3.   Very sweet and smooth, now full of mellow and flavorful smoke.  I remember these are rolled tight at the foot. You can really keep smoking it a long time for the last inch.

You can see now it's burning perfect.  Why can't it do this the first 4/5? Now it's delivering clouds of smoke. Same flavors, but lots more of it.  It will finish strong and it will satisfy you. A great little stick. I must note that these need years of age to smooth out.  And that is what this has done.  Glad I have many more.  

I must note that this one was taken out of the fresh pack many months ago and allowed to age on its own in my humidor. 

Really strong and rich now. Lots of spice.  Feeling it even more now.  Now I remember why I love these little cigars.  No bad tastes.  Tickling my mouth and tongue. You probably should  finish it, but it keeps delivering good flavors.

That's what this one's all about. The strong finish.  It does it well.  If you like a transition from medium to full kick ass flavors, this is the smoke  for you. I know I like it. 

Overall: 91

Flavor 92, complexity 90, burn 86, experience 94, value 92.