Partagas Natural Double Corona (Greek Mike)

Brand: Partagas

Line: Natural

Length x Ring Gauge: 7x54 (Double Corona)

Country of Origin: Filler: Dominican Republic; Binder: Mexico; Wrapper: Cameroon

Strength: Medium Bodied

Date: May 19, 2011

Notes:

Company, Location and Alcohol. These three factors greatly influence the taste and experience of a cigar. Sitting in Lexington Bar and Books among friends enjoying a smoke is just what the doctor ordered after a stressful week. Mind you, stress has many more adverse effects than an occasional cigar. I feel justified in advocating that form of “medication”.

Lexington Bar and Books (Lexington Avenue and 73^rd street), is an oasis for cigar smokers in midtown Manhattan. Despite a dress code (you will be buzzed in if you are deemed appropriately dressed), this place has an excellent array of drinks (from a flambé Vespa, to a Brazilian sangria, to an impressive array of whiskeys, wines and scotches), cigars and of course James Bond movies playing almost continuously. The staff is friendly and very attentive. The music was not too loud and in good taste.

Smoking with a few medical school chums, we enjoyed Partagas Double Corona that aged in my humidor for 3 years. The draw was smooth, the taste was exquisite. Like wine, some cigars improve their taste with age. In a humidor, the tobacco leaf emits its oils in 70 degrees F and 70% humidity. These oils enhance the taste, and texture of the smoke.

The cigar was a long, enjoyable smoke with no harsh aftertaste (I attribute this to the aging). I normally steer clear of any tobacco from Mexico (I had bad experiences with Te Amo cigars), but this mix really works well. It was complemented with a Single Barrel Jack Daniels (among my personal favorites). A combination of a woody bourbon with a somewhat medium cigar seemed just right.

I would recommend these cigars to be aged before you smoke them. The Partagas cigars, in my opinion, taste significantly better after a good 6 months in the humidor (minimum). Then grab some friends and some drinks and enjoy the smoke.

Overall: 8 out of 10

Partagas Serie D No. 4 (Greek Mike)

Brand: Partagas

Line: Serie D. No. 4

Length x Ring Gauge: 4 7/8 x 50 robusto

Country of Origin: Cuba (purely a Cuban puro as the wrapper, binder AND filler are from Cuba)

Strength: Full bodied

Date: 3/2003 (first time), 11/2009 (latest)

I have been 50/50 with Cuban cigars. Either the cigar will have a nice even burn, be rich in flavor (with notes of pepper or even cocoa), have a nice aroma and a smooth finish, OR they will burn unevenly, and taste like burnt toast. I attribute this variation to the fact that most of the families who traditionally rolled cigars left and set up shop somewhere else after La Revolutión (I always wondered if Che Guevara wore a Che Guevara t-shirt).

I have smoked this type of cigar multiple times in multiple locations (from NYC, Athens Greece, Newcastle UK and Grenada West Indies) and it never fails. It is by far the most consistent cigar I have smoked. It is rich in flavor and packs a great punch (for those seeking the nicotine rush). As you smoke the cigar, the nuances begin to vary from slight hints of cocoa to a spicy pepper. The finish is also very smooth and does not leave a bitter aftertaste. Overall a very smooth, very rich cigar that is at the apex of pantheon of fine cigars. I prefer a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon, or a shiraz with this cigar. A full bodied wine would bring out more subtle nuances with this full bodied cigar.

Overall: 10/10 (my perfect cigar)