Description
The Figurado That Changed Partagas Forever
I still remember the first time I smoked a Serie P No.2. It was 2002 – or maybe early 2003? – at a cigar shop in Tampa, and the owner insisted I try this “new” Partagas. I’ll be honest: I was skeptical. Partagas to me meant big, full-bodied churchills and robustos. This torpedo shape seemed… different. Wrong, even.
Turns out I was the one who was wrong. This cigar – which isn’t actually part of any traditional Partagas line despite what the name suggests – became one of my regular smokes. It’s a figurado that delivers everything you want from the Partagas brand while bringing something completely unique to the table. If you’ve only tried the Serie D No.4 or the Lusitanias, you’re missing what might be the most interesting vitola in the entire lineup.
What you’re about to read comes from someone who’s gone through more boxes of these than I care to admit. I’m going to walk you through why this cigar deserves more attention than it gets, what to expect when you light one up, and why it might just become your new favorite Partagas.
What Makes the Serie P No.2 Different
Partagas has been around since 1845, and they’ve built their reputation on bold, earthy, full-bodied blends that don’t apologize for their strength. The Serie P No.2 maintains that DNA but packages it in a 6.1-inch torpedo with a 52 ring gauge that changes how those flavors develop.
The torpedo shape matters more than you’d think. That tapered head concentrates the smoke differently – you get more intensity in the first third, and the flavors evolve in ways they simply don’t in a straight-sided parejo. Some people think figurados are just for show. Those people haven’t spent enough time with this vitola.
This is a cigar for experienced smokers who appreciate complexity. Not because it’s intimidating or harsh, but because there’s a lot happening throughout the smoke. If you’re relatively new to Cubans, I’d suggest starting with something more straightforward. But if you’ve got a few years under your belt and you want to see what Partagas can do when they’re not just trying to knock your socks off with strength alone? This is your cigar.
The tobacco comes from the Vuelta Abajo region – which you probably already know if you’re reading this – but what matters is how they’ve balanced the blend. It’s got that signature Partagas earthiness, but there’s more refinement here than you’ll find in their bigger ring gauge offerings.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Pirámide (Torpedo) |
| Length | 6.1 inches / 156 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 52 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 75-90 minutes |
How This Cigar Actually Smokes
The cold draw gives you leather and barnyard notes right away – classic Partagas territory. But there’s also this underlying sweetness that hints at what’s coming. The wrapper has a slight oily sheen when fresh, though that can vary depending on how long it’s been aging.
Light it up – and take your time with the toast, don’t rush this part – and the first third hits you with earth and cocoa. That concentrated smoke from the torpedo head delivers more punch than you’d expect. There’s pepper on the retrohale, but it’s not aggressive. It’s balanced. I know that sounds like marketing talk, but I mean it literally: the pepper doesn’t dominate, it plays well with the other flavors.
Around the one-inch mark, you’ll notice the burn line. When these are smoking well – and most of mine have been – you get a razor-sharp burn with almost white ash that holds for a solid inch or more. The construction on recent production has been excellent. I had one box from 2019 that gave me issues, but that’s the exception.
The second third is where this cigar earns its keep. The flavors open up considerably – you start picking up coffee, cedar, and this nutty quality that wasn’t present earlier. Actually, scratch that – the nuttiness was probably there all along, but the other flavors were louder. Now everything’s more harmonious. The strength builds gradually. This isn’t a cigar that ambushes you with nicotine, but don’t let your guard down completely either.
The last third gets interesting. Some cigars fall apart here – they either get harsh or lose their complexity. The Serie P No.2 actually intensifies. More earth, more leather, a touch of spice that wasn’t prominent before. The retrohale becomes creamier, which sounds contradictory given the increased strength, but that’s exactly what happens. I typically smoke these down to the nub because the final inch is too good to waste.
One thing about the torpedo shape: you need to keep an eye on that tapered head. If it starts to unravel – which can happen if you’re not careful with your cut – it’ll affect the draw and throw off the whole experience. Use a sharp cutter and make a clean cut about a quarter inch down from the tip.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partagas Serie P No.2 | Medium-Full | 75-90 minutes | Experienced smokers wanting complexity |
| Partagas Serie D No.4 | Full | 50-65 minutes | Quick smoke with full Partagas punch |
| Bolivar Belicosos Finos | Full | 60-75 minutes | Those who want more power, less nuance |
The Serie D No.4 is the obvious comparison point since it’s Partagas’ flagship. But honestly? They’re different animals. The D No.4 is more straightforward – it hits hard and fast. The Serie P No.2 takes its time. If you’re the type who appreciates how flavors develop and change, you’ll prefer the P No.2. If you want that immediate Partagas intensity in a shorter format, stick with the D No.4.
The Bolivar Belicosos Finos is another figurado worth mentioning. It’s stronger than the P No.2 – noticeably so – and less refined. Both are excellent cigars, but the Bolivar is more of a one-note powerhouse while the Partagas offers more complexity.
What to Drink With It
I usually reach for a strong espresso with this cigar, especially in the morning – yeah, I’m one of those people who smokes before noon on weekends. The coffee complements those cocoa and earth notes without overwhelming them. A Cuban coffee, specifically. The sweetness works.
In the evening, a good aged rum is hard to beat. I’m talking something like Flor de Caña 18 or even a nice añejo tequila if you’re feeling adventurous. The Serie P No.2 can handle bold pairings. I’ve also had success with Islay scotch – that peaty, smoky character plays surprisingly well with the earthy tobacco.
Beer? Yeah, but go dark. A robust porter or imperial stout. Light beer with this cigar is a waste of both products. And while I know some guys swear by bourbon, I find it can clash with the spice notes in the final third. Your mileage may vary.
Time-wise, this is an afternoon or evening cigar for me. Too much going on for a morning smoke unless you’re really awake and can appreciate what’s happening. Save it for when you’ve got 90 minutes to sit and pay attention.
How long should I age the Partagas Serie P No.2 before smoking?
I’d give them at least six months to a year after purchase. Fresh off the truck, they can be a bit harsh and one-dimensional. With some age, the flavors integrate and smooth out considerably. That said, I’ve had some with five years of age that were absolutely stellar – the earth tones mellow and you get more of that underlying sweetness I mentioned earlier.
Is the Serie P No.2 stronger than the Serie D No.4?
No, actually it’s not. The D No.4 packs more punch in terms of raw strength. The P No.2 is more about complexity and flavor development rather than knocking you over with nicotine. If you can handle a D No.4 comfortably, you’ll have no issues with the P No.2 strength-wise.
What’s the best way to cut a torpedo like this?
Use a sharp guillotine cutter and make your cut about a quarter inch down from the tip – not right at the pointed end. You want to open up enough surface area for a good draw without cutting into the shoulder too deeply. A V-cut also works well on torpedoes if that’s your preference, but I stick with a straight cut for these.
Why do some reviews call this a medium-bodied cigar while others say full-bodied?
Because it legitimately sits right on that border, and it also depends on age and storage conditions. Fresh, they tend toward full. With a couple years on them, they mellow to medium-full. I split the difference and call them medium to full because the strength builds as you smoke. The first third is definitely medium territory, the last third pushes into full.
Can beginners smoke this cigar or is it too advanced?
I wouldn’t recommend it for your first Cuban, honestly. Not because it’s overwhelmingly strong, but because there’s a lot of nuance that you might miss if you’re still developing your palate. Start with something more straightforward, get comfortable with Cuban tobacco characteristics, then come back to this one. You’ll appreciate it more.
How does humidity affect the Serie P No.2?
Keep these at 65-68% relative humidity. Any higher and they can get soggy and develop burn issues – I learned this the hard way. Any lower and they smoke too hot and lose some complexity. The figurado shape makes them a bit more sensitive to humidity extremes than a standard parejo in my experience.
What’s the deal with the “Serie P” name if there’s no real Serie P line?
Good question, and honestly I’m not entirely sure. The “P” supposedly stands for pirámide, which is the Cuban term for torpedo shapes. But Partagas doesn’t have a full Serie P lineup like they do with Serie D. It’s basically this one vitola standing alone. There used to be a P No.1, but it was discontinued years ago. This is the survivor, and it’s all we need from that series anyway.
Final Thoughts From the Humidor
The Partagas Serie P No.2 doesn’t get the attention it deserves. While everyone’s chasing after Serie D No.4s and Lusitanias, this torpedo quietly delivers one of the most complex smoking experiences in the Partagas portfolio. It’s not the strongest cigar they make – not even close – but it might be the most interesting.
If you’re a Partagas fan who’s never tried this vitola, you’re doing yourself a disservice. If you’re skeptical about figurados in general, this is the one that might change your mind. It certainly changed mine back in Tampa all those years ago.
Give them some age if you can stand to wait, pair them with something that won’t compete for attention, and set aside 90 minutes when you can actually focus on what you’re smoking. This isn’t background music – it’s a full symphony that deserves your attention.
