Stogie Reviews: Partagas Serie D No. 5 LE 2008 (Cuban)

8 Sep 2009

The Partagas Serie D No. 4 is one of the best regarded cigars in the world, and with good reason. That robusto (4.8 x 50) features a powerful combination of cedar and spice. It’s a classic representation of the fuller-bodied “new school” Cubans. Partagas Serie D No 5 LE 2008

With that pedigree, it should come as no surprise that Habanos S.A. sought to capitalize on the Serie D No. 4 fame with a limited edition smoke. For the 2008 Edición Limitada, it introduced the slightly shorter Partagas Serie D No. 5, attempting to provide the flavor of the No. 4 in the trendy short robusto (4.3 x 50) format.

This double-banded Cuban features tobacco aged at least two years. The wrapper is oily, but it also has a number of large, unsightly veins. The cigar is relatively firm to the touch, and features a notably squared-off cap that requires a precise cut so as not to expose too much filler.

After a few puffs I was concerned that this was simply an overpriced dud. Fortunately, the vegetal flavors quickly faded, making way for a full-bodied, earthy smoke with black pepper. Later notes of cinnamon, clove, and leather emerged to provide new depth, although the leather sometimes fades into an unpleasant bitterness.

Construction is superb. Unlike many Cubans I’ve smoked lately, the burn is straight and requires no touch-ups.

Those combustion qualities make the complex, balanced flavors of the Partagas Serie D No. 5 easy to enjoy. A little tougher to enjoy is the price, which runs $15-20 per cigar.

Despite the price and occasional bitterness, this fireplug provides a lively 45-60 minutes of bold, intermingled flavors. That’s why the Partagas Serie D No. 5 LE 2008 earns a rating of four and a half stogies out of five.