Description
A Gran Reserva That Actually Lives Up to the Hype
I’ll be straight with you – I’m usually skeptical about Gran Reservas. Sometimes they feel like marketing exercises wrapped in fancy boxes. But the Partagas Lusitanias GR 2007? This one’s different. I remember the first time I lit one up during a rainy evening in Miami, and about halfway through I actually put down my phone. When a cigar commands that kind of attention, you know something special is happening in the blend.
This Double Corona represents everything Partagas does right when they’re firing on all cylinders. We’re talking about tobacco that was aged for a minimum of two years before rolling, then box-aged for another five years before release. That’s seven years minimum before this thing even sees a humidor. And honestly? You can taste every single month of that aging process.
What Makes the Lusitanias GR 2007 Stand Apart
Partagas has been around since 1845 – that’s not a typo – and they’ve built their reputation on full-bodied, no-nonsense smokes that don’t apologize for their intensity. The Lusitanias vitola itself has been a flagship for decades, but when they selected 2007 vintage tobacco for this Gran Reserva treatment, they created something that manages to be both powerful and refined at the same time.
The wrapper on these cigars comes from the Vuelta Abajo region, which is basically the Napa Valley of Cuban tobacco. Dark, oily, with this gorgeous reddish-brown hue that catches the light just right. When you run your fingers along it – and trust me, you will – there’s this smoothness that only comes from proper aging and careful handling.
This smoke is for the enthusiast who’s graduated beyond mild Connecticuts and wants something with backbone. Not necessarily a beginner’s cigar, though an adventurous newcomer with some full-bodied experience could handle it. It’s complex enough to keep veterans interested but not so over-the-top that it becomes a chore to smoke. Sweet spot territory, really.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Double Corona |
| Length | 7.6 inches / 194 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 49 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo, 2007 harvest) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo blend, 2007 harvest) |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-120 minutes |
The Experience From First Light to Final Draw
The cold draw gives you a preview of what’s coming – earth, barnyard, maybe a hint of cocoa if you really pay attention. Not overly tight, not too loose. That construction quality is immediately apparent before you even toast the foot.
Right out of the gate, the first third hits you with classic Partagas earth and leather notes, but there’s this underlying smoothness that the aging brings. It’s not the punch-you-in-the-face intensity of a regular production Lusitanias. The spice is there, make no mistake, but it’s refined. Like the difference between cracked black pepper and a complex peppercorn blend. The burn line stays remarkably even – I’ve smoked four of these now and haven’t needed a touch-up yet, which tells you everything about the rolling quality.
The ash holds solid for a good inch and a half, maybe two inches if you’re gentle with it. Light gray color, firm structure. I actually lost a chunk on my shirt during that Miami session because I got too confident. Lesson learned.
Second third is where this cigar really opens up and shows its personality. The earth notes mellow slightly and you start getting these creamy undertones that weren’t as prominent initially. There’s wood in there – cedar, definitely, maybe some oak? – and the leather becomes more pronounced. The strength builds gradually, never overwhelming, just steadily climbing from medium toward full territory. The smoke output is generous, thick clouds that hang in the air with a satisfying weight to them.
Actually, scratch that about the cedar – it’s more like walking into a well-maintained humidor that’s been seasoned properly for years. That exact smell. My buddy Carlos always says you can tell a quality Cuban by whether it smells like money, and this one definitely does.
Final third is where smokers sometimes struggle with longer vitolas, but the Lusitanias GR 2007 stays smooth right to the nub. The strength peaks here – definitely full-bodied by this point – but it never crosses into harsh territory. The spice comes back with authority, there’s a nice roasted coffee note that emerges, and that creamy texture persists underneath everything else. The retrohale – if you’re into that – gives you concentrated pepper and earth that clears your sinuses but in a good way.
I’ve smoked these down to the point where I’m burning my fingers trying to get one more puff, which is always the sign of a well-constructed cigar that maintains flavor integrity throughout the entire length. No bitterness, no acrid notes, just pure tobacco satisfaction.
How Does It Stack Up Against Similar Smokes?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partagas Lusitanias GR 2007 | Medium to Full | 90-120 minutes | Special occasions, extended sessions, showcasing aged tobacco character |
| Regular Partagas Lusitanias | Full | 90-110 minutes | Daily smoke for full-bodied fans, less refined but more accessible |
| Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva | Medium to Full | 100-120 minutes | Ultra-premium experience, smoother profile, higher refinement |
What to Drink and When to Smoke It
This length and complexity demands time, so don’t light this up if you’ve only got 45 minutes. Weekend afternoons are perfect. I prefer these after a substantial meal – this isn’t really a breakfast cigar unless you’re more adventurous than I am.
For pairings, you need something that can stand up to the intensity without fighting it. A good aged rum works beautifully – think Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Ron Zacapa 23. The sweetness plays nicely against the earthy spice. If you’re a whiskey person, go for something with some peat – a Highland Park 12 or even an Islay if you’re feeling bold. The smokiness mirrors the tobacco without overwhelming it.
Coffee surprisingly works too, especially a dark roast espresso in the morning if you’re feeling decadent. And I know some guys who swear by pairing these with a good port, though that’s almost too much richness for my taste. Your mileage may vary.
Occasion-wise? This is celebration territory. Promotion at work, birth of a kid, major anniversary – you get the idea. Not because you can’t smoke it casually, but because it deserves your full attention and appreciation.
How long should I age the Partagas Lusitanias GR 2007 before smoking?
Honestly, these are ready to smoke right now – they’ve already got seven-plus years on them from the factory. That said, I’ve got a few sitting in my humidor that I’m letting rest until 2025, just to see what another few years does to them. If you can’t resist (and I wouldn’t blame you), smoke one fresh and save a couple for later comparison. The delayed gratification might kill you, but the payoff could be worth it.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing these cigars?
I keep mine at 65% relative humidity, maybe 66% tops. These Cuban long-fillers don’t need the 70% humidity that some people use – that can actually make them smoke too wet and mute the flavors. Temperature-wise, aim for 65-68°F if you can control it. Consistency matters more than hitting some magic number, though. A stable 67% is better than fluctuating between 63% and 70%.
Is this cigar too strong for someone used to medium-bodied smokes?
Depends on your definition of medium-bodied, really. If you’re comfortable with something like a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2, you can handle this – just maybe not on an empty stomach. The strength builds gradually enough that you’re not getting slapped in the face right away. I’d suggest having it after a meal and keeping some sugar nearby just in case. Maybe start with a regular Lusitanias first if you want to test the waters, though that’s actually stronger in some ways.
Why does this cost so much more than regular production Partagas?
I’m not going to discuss specific numbers, but there are real reasons behind Gran Reserva pricing beyond fancy boxes. You’re paying for single-vintage tobacco from a specific harvest year, extended aging at the factory (which ties up inventory and warehouse space for years), more stringent selection criteria for the leaves, and limited production numbers. Whether that’s worth it is subjective – some guys think it’s justified, others would rather buy three boxes of regular production. I fall somewhere in the middle, but I’m glad these exist for special occasions.
How does the 2007 vintage compare to other Gran Reserva releases?
The 2007 harvest was apparently exceptional for Vuelta Abajo tobacco – good rainfall, proper sun, all the agricultural stars aligned. I’ve tried the Cohiba GR from different years and there’s definitely vintage variation that matters. The 2007 Partagas shows more earth and leather complexity compared to some earlier releases, though I haven’t done a side-by-side scientific comparison. Weather patterns during growing season genuinely affect the final product, just like wine grapes. It’s not marketing fluff.
Should I let these rest after purchase before smoking?
Yeah, give them at least two weeks in your humidor to acclimate, maybe a month if you’re patient. These have been through shipping, temperature changes, and humidity swings getting to you. Even well-packaged cigars benefit from stabilization time. I know the temptation is real – I’ve absolutely failed this test myself – but your patience will be rewarded with better burn and fuller flavor expression. Set a calendar reminder if you have to.
What makes the wrapper leaf on these Gran Reservas different?
The wrapper selection for Gran Reserva releases is ridiculously strict – they’re choosing leaves from specific positions on the plant (usually higher up where sun exposure creates more oils), from plants grown in prime soil sections of Vuelta Abajo farms. You can literally see and feel the difference. The oils, the smoothness, the way light reflects off the surface – it’s like comparing a nice suit to a bespoke tailored piece. Same basic concept, completely different execution quality. And those oils contain flavor compounds that develop during aging, so it’s not just cosmetic.
Final Thoughts on This Special Release
The Partagas Lusitanias GR 2007 represents Cuban cigar manufacturing at a high level – careful tobacco selection, proper aging, meticulous construction. It’s not perfect (no cigar is), but it’s damn close to what Partagas enthusiasts hope for when they hear “Gran Reserva.”
If you’ve got the patience for a two-hour session and you appreciate cigars that reward attention and contemplation, this deserves a spot in your humidor rotation. Save it for a moment when you can actually focus on what you’re smoking rather than treating it as background activity. These were made to be experienced, not just consumed.
Whether you’re celebrating something specific or just want to treat yourself to what properly aged Cuban tobacco can achieve, the Lusitanias GR 2007 delivers. Just make sure you’ve got the time to do it justice.
