Partagas Serie E No. 2

Description

Product Specifications

I just had to have a moment with the ghost of the man who taught me how to read a stock ticker and how to cut a cap or two. I opened up the small desktop humidor he’d left behind. It was all but deserted, the only thing lying in the corner being a single fat oily stick with that familiar red and gold band. It felt like a parting gift.

I dragged a large leather chair into the hallway, opened a window so I could let in the autumn air to fight against the dust and realized that this is how you had to say goodbye. You don’t rush a date like that, and you sure as hell don’t rush a cigar like this one. The Transition: The Partagás Serie E No. 2
That smoke? The Partagás Serie E No. 2.

This is a monster of a cigar, a “Duke” vitola that makes no excuses for being as big as it is. When it was released all the way back in 2011, something about the Partagás seemed to suggest they have finally realized some of us like a little more girth without loosing that classic earthy-punchiness they’ve become known for. And, seated in the library, the 54 ring gauge felt hefty to me — it was as if this cigar were solid and dependable somehow; rooted. It’s the cigar you light when you have nothing else to do for an hour and a half.

Product Specifications
Attribute
Details
Name
Partagás Serie E No. 2
Vitola de Galera
Duke (Robusto Extra)
Tobacco Region
Vuelta Abajo
Wrapper/Binder/Filler
Cuban (Colorado to Colorado-Claro)
Construction: The Duke’s Presence
I mean, the look of this thing is super striking.

The wrapper on them was a smooth, oily Colorado leaf — that reddish-brown color that old polished wood gets. It did not have a whole lot of veins, just a smooth, ever so slightly bumpy sensation that felt like quality under my thumb. It was nice and it had a bit of give to it, but I could not detect any soft spots as I gave it a slight squeeze – no large gaps of space thanks to being jam packed with that top Vuelta Abajo long-filler. It was the pre-light draw that put a smile on my face.

I cut the cap — triple deep, courtesy of that unmistakable Cuban precision — and gave it a cold draw. I tasted some cashew and a specific clove note, with a very “barnyard” aroma. You know that smell of wet hay and earth? It could be a touch of character and it’s the signature of a good Partagás.

It felt to me like I was inhaling the history of the factory. The draw was perfect: Not at all loose, like with a straw, but not super stiff I’d have to work for it. Solid start. The Flavor Profile: A Three-act Play
The First Third: The Awakening
As soon as the foot touched fire, a dense cloud of acrid smoke filled the library.

The initial puffs belonged to cedar and leather. It’s a medium-bodied beginning, but the smoke is heavy. There was a touch of citrus zest fluttering on the edges, which prevented the denser notes of earth from becoming too weighty. A mocha sweetness began to emerge around ten minutes in, mixing with a herbal note that made me think of the dried botanicals my uncle liked to store in glass jars.

It wasn’t an attack; it was more like a friendly nose touch. The retrohale was mildly spicy, but nothing that is going to bring tears to your eyes. Just a gentle “hello.”
The Middle Third: The Body of the Matter
The 2nd third is where the strength began to increase a bit to a solid medium-full.

And here is where the Serie E No. 2 really shines. The creaminess took center stage. Think a handful of roasted walnuts and hazelnuts in thick cream — that’s what I was tasting. The earthiness remained a minor note, the structure of the coffee, perhaps, but it was the nuttiness and its natural companion: coffee notes on full display.

I caught myself leaning back in that leather chair, watching the smoke spiral toward the lofty ceiling. The burn line was straight, and the ash held for almost two inches before being tapped off—firm with a light grey coloring. It’s a really “thick” smoking experience; the flavors seem to have physical heft on your tongue. Act III: The Last Stand
As I got to the final few inches, I could actually feel today’s “win.” The flavors swung once more, this time darker and more complex.

The creaminess played second fiddle to a rich honey sweetness and some dark chocolate. I began picking up a few faint spices — some paprika or clove, something interesting to nibble on. Even when it shrank, it never veered into harsh or bitter territory, which is a tribute to the quality of that Vuelta Abajo tobacco. It was smooth until the final third, when those flavors became muddled mid-palate, with the cedar making a more commanding and longer-lasting finish.

I smoked it down till my fingers were getting hot and I didn’t want to let go. Pairing: What to Drink?

At the library, I’d just been nursing a straight pour of a Highland single malt. The faint hint of peat and the honeyed aftertaste of the scotch danced hand in hand with the nutty, creamy profile of the E No. 2. If you’re not into scotch, I’d think heavy, dark roast coffee would go amazingly well alongside this. (You want something with enough body to compete with the 54 ring gauge without overwhelming those delicate herbal and citrus notes. Or a dark rum that has sat for a while would also be big shout if you fancy something sweeter.

Conclusion: The Verdict
So, is a Partagás Serie E No. 2 worth the chase?

I’d say absolutely. It’s not an everyday smoke — due in part to the cost, and also because of its demands on your time — but for a special occasion, or quiet contemplation, it’s hard to top. It’s a more refined, slightly “smarter” iteration of the Serie D No. 4. It has the strength, but it wears the strength like a well-tailored suit — not a suit of armor.

I left that library feeling much better about the sale. The house was gone, alright, but the memory of that hour, and the scent of that tobacco against old books, and just how fine was that Duke… I’m keeping that. If you are a seasoned smoker who enjoys a complex, developing flavor profile and killing ninety minutes or three hours while you smoke, get one of these.

It’s a powerhouse that knows when to be graceful.