Partagas Maduro no 1 Review

This Partagas Maduro no 1 review is quite special because it is the first Maduro cigar produced by Habanos S.A. since the 2007 release of the Cohiba Maduro 5 line. Love it or hate, Cuba seems to be keen on producing Maduro cigars. This cigar is 52 x 130 (5.1″) is size and it is only available to Habanos specialist worldwide.

Pre light:

One of the aspects of sitting down and reviewing a cigar I like the most is taking the time to taste the cigar unlit just to taste the flavors the raw tobacco gives you. The Partagas Maduro no 1 is giving me some interesting flavors. At cold, I get a minty freshness feeling on the tongue along with some algae flavors. This cigar is still fresh and full of youth. The box code is EML MAY15

It is now spark’o’clock

1st third:

Right after I lit, the cigar gives me some bread like flavors. I can’t exactly pin point it but it is along the line of toast, rye bread or maybe even pumpernickel bread. This is quite tasty. Unlike the other brothers of the Partagas line, this one has little spiciness but some sweetness instead. It sits at medium body with a surprising long finish.

For this review, I decided to start with the good ol’ cold sparkling water with lemon. I find it clears the palate very well without leaving too much taste in the mouth to alter the cigar tasting experience.

2nd third

As I move along this cigar, the body seems to be staying comfortably at medium body. The flavours are quite vibrant and vivid but very muted. This reminds me of a wine that is served too cold where you need to let it rest for a while to really taste it. The bread aspect is still there it is toasted or maybe even slightly burned bread.

Just like the Por Larranaga Picadores, a couple of months to a year of waiting time needed to be able estimate the ideal aging time for this cigar.

3rd third

On the last part of the cigar, I get a lot more sweetness coming. This is very nice. It has transformed the bread to cinnamon brioche with raisins. The body is also evolving and settling at medium full. That is quite an impressive change and it was much needed to keep my interest going. On the last few draws the smoke is very full of deep complex flavours. It changes very much from the rest of the cigars. I get flavors of licorice and believe it or not, notes of fabric, similar to the smell of new and raw denim or cotton. It might sound bizarre but this is quite interesting and pleasant.

The Partagas Maduro no 1 would be quite an interesting cigar to review again in a year to see about its aging capacity and development but so far, I find it to be pretty nice addition to the Habanos portfolio.