Partagas Serie E No. 2

Description

I was sitting in my late uncle’s library, a room that smelled of decaying parchment, dried ink, and fifty years of secrets. The floorboards groaned under my feet like they were complaining about the weight of all that knowledge. I had just closed the deal on the estate—a massive win, financially speaking—but the victory felt heavy. It was bittersweet, standing there among his first editions, knowing the house would soon belong to a family who’d probably paint the mahogany white and replace the bookshelves with a home gym. I needed a moment to just sit with the ghost of the man who taught me how to read a stock ticker and how to properly cut a cap.

I reached into the small desktop humidor he’d left behind. It was mostly empty, but tucked in the corner was a single, thick, oily stick with that unmistakable red and gold band. It felt like a parting gift. I pulled out a heavy leather chair, cracked a window to let the autumn air fight the dust, and realized this was the only way to say goodbye. You don’t rush a moment like that, and you certainly don’t rush a cigar like this one.

The Transition: The Partagás Serie E No. 2

That smoke? The Partagás Serie E No. 2. It’s a beast of a cigar, a “Duke” vitola that doesn’t apologize for its size. When it came out back in 2011, it felt like Partagás was finally acknowledging that some of us want a bit more girth to hold onto without losing that classic, earthy punch they’re known for. Sitting in that library, the 54 ring gauge felt substantial in my hand—solid, reliable, and grounded. It’s the kind of cigar you light when you’ve got nowhere else to be for the next hour and a half.

Product Specifications

Construction: The Duke’s Presence

I gotta say, the look of this thing is striking. The wrapper on mine was a smooth, oily Colorado leaf—that reddish-brown hue that looks like old polished wood. It didn’t have many veins, just a clean, slightly toothy texture that felt premium under my thumb. When I gave it a gentle squeeze, there were no soft spots; it was packed tight with that prime Vuelta Abajo long-filler, yet it had a certain suppleness to it.

The pre-light draw was where I first started to smile. I clipped the cap—a triple cap, done with that classic Cuban precision—and took a cold pull. I got a hit of cashew and a distinct clove note, backed by a very “barnyard” aroma. You know that smell of damp hay and earth? It’s a hallmark of a good Partagás. It felt like I was breathing in the history of the factory itself. The draw was just right—not too loose like a straw, but not so tight I’d have to work for it. Solid start.

The Flavor Profile: A Three-Act Play

The First Third: The Awakening

The moment the foot caught the flame, a thick, chewy cloud of smoke filled the library. The first few puffs were all about cedar and leather. It’s a medium-bodied start, but the smoke is dense. I noticed a bit of citrus zest dancing around the edges, which kept the heavier earth notes from feeling too weighted down. There was a mocha sweetness that started to develop about ten minutes in, mixing with a herbal quality that reminded me of the dried botanicals my uncle used to keep in jars. It wasn’t aggressive; it was more like a warm greeting. The retrohale had a tiny bit of spice, but nothing that’ll make your eyes water. Just a gentle “hello.”

The Middle Third: The Heart of the Matter

As I moved into the second third, the strength started to ramp up to a firm medium-full. This is where the Serie E No. 2 really shows its character. The creaminess became the star of the show. Imagine a handful of roasted walnuts and hazelnuts dipped in thick cream—that’s what I was tasting. The earthiness stayed in the background, providing a foundation, but the nuttiness and coffee notes took the lead. I found myself leaning back in that leather chair, watching the smoke curl toward the high ceiling. The burn was even, and the ash was a sturdy, light grey, holding on for nearly two inches before I decided to tap it off. It’s a very “thick” smoking experience; the flavors feel like they have physical weight on your tongue.

The Final Third: The Grand Finale

By the time I reached the last few inches, I was feeling the “win” of the day. The flavors shifted again, getting darker and more complex. The creaminess took a backseat to a deep honey sweetness and a bit of dark chocolate. I started picking up some delicate spices—maybe a bit of paprika or clove—that kept things interesting. Even as it got shorter, it never turned harsh or bitter, which is a testament to the quality of that Vuelta Abajo tobacco. It stayed cool until the very end, leaving me with notes of hay and a lingering cedar finish. I smoked it down until my fingers were starting to feel the heat, not wanting to let it go.

Pairing: What to Drink?

In the library, I was sipping on a neat pour of a Highland single malt. The slight peat and the honeyed finish of the scotch played perfectly with the nutty, creamy profile of the E No. 2. If you’re not a scotch person, I’d say a heavy, dark roast coffee would be a fantastic companion. You want something with enough body to stand up to the 54 ring gauge without drowning out those subtle herbal and citrus notes. A dark rum with some age on it would also be a great shout if you’re looking for something sweeter.

Conclusion: The Verdict

So, is the Partagás Serie E No. 2 worth the hunt? I’d say absolutely. It’s not an everyday smoke—partly because of the price and partly because of the time commitment—but for a milestone or a quiet moment of reflection, it’s hard to beat. It’s a more refined, slightly more “intellectual” version of the Serie D No. 4. It’s got the strength, but it wears it like a well-tailored suit rather than a suit of armor.

I walked out of that library feeling a lot better about the sale. The house was going, sure, but the memory of that hour, the smell of the tobacco mixing with the old books, and the sheer quality of that Duke… that’s something I’m keeping. If you’re an experienced smoker who appreciates a complex, evolving profile and you’ve got ninety minutes to kill, grab one of these. It’s a heavy hitter that knows how to be graceful.