Cigar Review: Partagas Aniversario Robusto

If there are any unwritten, hard-and-fast rules in the cigar industry, one must surely be to never let an anniversary go unnoticed. Be it a cigar maker’s birthday, the anniversary of the founding of a brand, or any other milestone imaginable, you can bet any significant date will be commemorated with a cigar—usually a limited edition super-premium.

Since 2015 is the 170th anniversary of Partagas—which is among the oldest extant brands in the industry—it was no surprise to see the good folks at General Cigar unveiling a commemorative smoke with a considerable price tag. The Partagas Aniversario, as it is called, was prominently and proudly on display at the General booth at the premium cigar trade show in New Orleans in July.

Expected to hit retailer shelves this fall, Aniversario sports a proprietary Cameroon wrapper grown specifically for General, plus a Connecticut binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Three sizes will be sold in 10-count boxes with prices ranging from $15.99 to $17.99 per cigar: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 54), and Salomone (7.25 x 54).

When you think Cameroon wrapper, you’re likely not expecting anything as dark as the wrapper leaf on Aniversario. It almost looks like a grayish, muted maduro. The surface is oily with a complex network of thin veins and plenty of tooth. The pre-light notes remind me of damp wood and milk chocolate, and the triple-cap clips cleanly to reveal an easy cold draw despite the tight cross-section of filler tobaccos visible at the foot.

Once lit, the Robusto exhibits a medium-bodied profile of cedar spice, black coffee with sugar, cinnamon, and a little black pepper. The flavor is well-rounded and harmonious and, on the aftertaste, there’s a sharp concentration of spice on the tip of the tongue. So, yes, if you’re a fan of Cameroon-wrapped cigars, you’ll find all the expected elements here, including cedar and sweetness with an approachable level of strength.

As far as the physical properties are concerned, the white ash holds incredibly well, the draw has just the slightest resistance, the burn line is straight, and the smoke production is average. In other words, everything is in line with what I’ve come to expect from General Cigar.

I’ve long been a fan of Cameroon cigars and am of the opinion the wrapper leaf is underrepresented in the marketplace and underappreciated. The Partagas Aniversario is a good example of a well-built, tasty Cameroon. That said, I’m unconvinced it’s so significantly better than some of its competition that sells for a fraction of the price. All told, I’m settling on an admirable score of four stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys