Partagas 8-9-8 Cigar Review

• Brand Name: Partagas
• Length: 170mm
• Ring Gauge: 43
• Score: 4.5/5

Appearance

The Partagas 8-9-8 has a maduro claro colored wrapper. It's dressed with a red and golden band. The wrapper is a bit veiny, soft, and silk-like with little oil on the stick.

Construction

The cigar is well-rolled. The head cap holds the stick tightly. It's easy to cut straight. The pre-draw reveals barnyard, hearty, and woody aromas. The ash is a bit flaky and drops about every centimeter and a half. It's easy to light and smokes smoothly without getting plugged.

Flavour

• First third: Mild start. Cold smoke has hay, barn, cedar wood, vegetal notes, and a touch of green pepper.
• Second third: Smoke becomes denser and warmer, with a creamy feel. There's a touch of saltiness balancing vegetal bitterness. Flavors include cereals, pepper, minerals, leather, coffee beans, and raw cocoa.
• Final third: Moves from medium to full strength. Smoke fills the palate, showing more complexity, creaminess, and balance between mild acidity and creaminess. Flavors persist with more power.

The Partagas 8-9-8 gets its name from its box, which has 8 cigars on the top and bottom lines and 9 in the middle. It's hand-made. In the UK, it costs £22, and online it's 13.80 Euros. It's great for after a meal, especially in the evening, and pairs well with aged champagne or spicy white wines like Austrian grüner veltliner or Alsatian gewürztraminer.