Partagas (Cuba) Serie du Connoisseur No. 3

This stick with box code POS Mar '06 sports an extraordinarily smooth Colorado wrapper with hardly any discernable veins and a typical triple cap. Good construction, though it was a little loose at the foot. Easy light. Even burn without the need for relights or touch-ups. Good draw. Gray ash.

Started with wood and spice at the outset. The first third saw a strong woody flavor, almost like “fresh from the lumberyard” type of prominence, with a noticeable tannic quality. Barnyard hay and a hint of mocha were also detected. The wood continued into the middle third, and was joined by worn leather and a very rich, satisfying toasted tobacco flavor. The final third saw a nice blend of milder wood, tobacco and leather, and was not as tannic as it was at first.

In all, this one hour, medium-bodied smoke was very enjoyable, though young. It was not overly complex, as the same flavors were essentially present throughout the entire cigar, but it did seem to match my preferred flavor profile. Smoked while watching the sunset in Puerto Vallarta.

The small ring gauge didn't detract from the good Partagas flavor, which took a bit to build. An even draw and straight burn helped make this one a pleasure to smoke.