Stogie Reviews: Partagas 150

5 Apr 2007

Partagas 150 This cigar is one about which you could write almost endlessly – or say nearly nothing at all, having been left speechless. It is a superb, sublime smoke that lives up to the stellar reputation earned since the 1995 release.

Mine was a gift, so I don’t know what it cost. (I have to confess I also don’t know whether it was an A or B because I didn’t realize before smoking it that there was more than one size.) As a reference, they’re listed in Thompson’s catalog at $788 for a box of the As (6.75 inches by 43 ring gauge) and $950 a box for the B (6.5 inches by 47 ring gauge). Even with their current 15 percent off sale, that’s no small price.

Perhaps the only surprise was the nearly nonexistent prelight aroma. On just about any other measure, though, it was excellent. The abundant smoke was rich and smooth from the first draw. The white ash was nearly as solid as unburned tobacco.

The tastes were extraordinary, with “subtle” coming often to mind. Take that aged Cameroon wrapper, for example. While it has the spice often common with Cameroon, it is gentler and mixed more with the tobacco flavors. From beginning to end, the 150 is a complex, evolving stick.

I’ll be surprised if I get the chance to enjoy another of these. I feel fortunate to have gotten one.

This fantastic cigar earns a flawless rating of five out of five stogies.