Stogie Reviews: Partagas Spanish Rosado San Agustin
5 Mar 2007
The Partagas Spanish Rosado is a beautiful cigar. The oily cinnamon-tinged color of the Honduran wrapper from the San Agustin Valley and the slightly floral notes from the unlit foot promise an enjoyable smoke. And they deliver.
I got the Rosado – a 5.5 inch by 52 ring gauge stick called the San Agustin – in a buy-two-get-one-free sampler package from Partagas. It also contained a Black Label Clasico and a Partagas Naturales. I don’t recall exactly what I paid, but I believe it was a mere $9 or $10.
I’ve enjoyed a number of Partagas Blacks, but this was my first Rosado. It most definitely will not be my last.
The filler is a mix of Dominican, Honduran, and Mexican tobaccos, while the binder is Connecticut Broadleaf. Mine was packed tightly with some heft. The prelight draw felt a little tight, but once the cigar was burning the draw was excellent. The smoke was rich and full.
At the first puff, there was sweetness, followed quickly by a spicy finish. Both came and went throughout the smoke, as did some citrus notes and an underlying warm tobacco taste. I believe it was the slowest burning cigar I’ve ever had. In fact, I would be inclined to try one of the smaller ring gauges to see if they moved a little quicker.
The burn was the only problem I had with the Agustin. Several times, in the last half, the wrapper burned unevenly, requiring a touch-up.
General lists the price for a single San Agustin at $5.55 (before taxes). On the Internet, you can find a box of 25 for less than $100. All in all, this is a top-quality cigar at a price lower than might be expected.
For impressive performance, I give this medium-bodied beauty a rating of four out of five stogies.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
George,
Thanks for the review. I've always wanted to try the Partagas Spanish Rosado, but for some reason haven't gotten around to it.
Now I'll have to.
So if this cigar is made up of Dominican, Honduran, and Mexican tobaccos, why is it called "Spanish"?
Lance – I'm guessing that it's a reflection of the Partagas brand's heritage. Jaime Partagas, who started the company in 1845, had come to Cuba from Spain.
Jerry – Those are the monthly releases, right? I've heard good things about them but haven't run across them. I'll have to keep a better lookout.
Yup they are the monthly or seasonal blend that started in 2004 with the Octobre, Novembre and Decembre sizes. Those are a bit harder to find.
In 2005 the second release had the Junio, Julio and Agosto.
I’ll let George answer Lance’s question…
Great review George! These are great cigars. If you get the chance try the Partagas Ciefuentes blend. If you like the Rosado, you will be head over hills for the Ciefuentes.
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the "Spanish" comes from "Spanish Honduras," which was the original designation of the country Honduras (as distinguished from British Honduras, which is now known as Belize.) Since the Honduran San Augustin wrapper is the focal point of this cigar… just a guess.
okay I tried this one and really enjoyed it, yeah it smoked slow, drew was a little restricted, but really a great flavor and aroma. Liked it better than the black label.