In the Pantheon of Cuban Tobacco
In the Cuban tobacco pantheon, the air in the and Real Fábrica de Tabaco Partagás always seemed to carry a weightier, denser aroma than its competitors. Step past its neoclassical, heavily ornate frontispiece in Old Havana and you are staring 1845 in the face — when Don Jaime Partagás y Ravelo blew open the doors (soon after adding on to take over an entire city block) and founded what would become an altar of artistic genius.
While others in its class achieved grace and refinement through demureness, Partagas, cultivating a pre-dawn business from the mire of Havana’�s riverbanks, evinced control, itense flavor and irreversable commitment to the richest flavors that couldbe drawn from such crude sources.
The smell of fermenting cedar and rich soil permeated the inside of the factory — still to this day, the most famous in the world — as well as the cerebral buzz of reading voices called *lector*. And Don Jaime was a pioneer, one who had understood that the fingers of the torcedor became more nimble if he kept his mind busy; or by having them up on the board informing literature and news to them he had made of an essentially manual trade a cultural institution.
This respect for tradition and intellectual authenticity remains married to every cigar boasting the iconic red-and-gold band of the brand—a bloodline that has survived revolutions, family tragedies, time and caprices of global market.
Heritage & History
The history of the brand is a long one, indeed; it startedit in 1845 when Don Jaime Partagás y Ravell opened his famous factory at number 60 Industria Street, Havana. City official ledgers show that Don Jaime was born in Spain, and if the news ofhis tobacco business did not extend over much of the world. His ambition was unimaginably petty: It wasn’t enough for him just to roll the cigar; he wanted to control the thing out of which it was rolled.
He bought the finest plantations in the Vuelta Abajo, and that given him a stock of tobacco which Havana would have sold its ears for. But the brand’s earlyrise was also overshadowed by drama. Then, in 1864, Don Jaime was murdered on one of his own plantations, his darker legacy consigning the property first to his son Josep and then eventually to the banker José A. Bance.
In the early XX century, Cifuentes was also known as "Cifut" during the period of Cifuentes -and use it explicitament: Start of this (XX) century it was stored in hands you are right Ramón Cifuentes Llano. He took all the brand's forward momentum before it became part of other famous houses such as Ramón Allones and Bolívar. At that time, only its cigarsexport ranking was surpassed by somewhere around the world.
Post-1959 Revolution and in the wake of Cuba's nationalization of the industry in 1960, Cifuentes family production moved abroad. Habanos still operated the original factory, in part because it was a popular tourist attraction. Today it manufactured in Havana by Habanos S. A. using the same centuries-old technique responsible for the addition of "Real" (Royal) to its name during the 1800s.
The Tobacco
The essence of Partagas sources north of Havana in the Vuelta Abajo region. It is universally consideredthe best tobacco-growing region of the world, and for this particular brand,they are not going to be doing just any old stuff. The company is known for using leaves that are “fully oxidized” longer than other growers. This Secondary, or supplemental fermentation is the process which tempers the out of control muscle of tobacco and transforms raw horsepower into a powerful, sophisticated, multi-faceted feast for all your senses.
Wrapper: The construction typically offers wrappers with a slightly oily toothy sheen darker in color than many other Cuban marques. Tobacco Blend: Our process has us using binder and filler tobaccos that are hand selected for a fine, firm butt while smoke-able. Because of that reliance on the sun-soaked leaves from Vuelta Abajo, thosecigars all share a known “Partagás character”—an appealingly familiar smoke volume and an aftertaste that recalls volcanic soil as well as the Caribbean sunshine.
Signature Lines & Vitolas
Add to that the “Alphabet Series,” a range which has in its current guise set the bench mark for enthusiasts on a global scale. The Serie D No 4 – a classic Robusto – is probably theworld’s most famous and instantly recognised cigar and delivers an immediate punch of spice and earth. Its larger zoo sibling, the SerieP No. 2 has a Pirámide shape that tapers these flavors with a pointed head and developing strength that will be loved by enthusiasts..
There are a few downright iconic "large format" cigars in the lineup outside of the Alphabet Series. The lusitanias, a grand Double Corona, is generally accepted to be the jewel in their crown and takes something like 2 hours of soley focused attention to achieve full satisfaction it goes from woody sweet to a huge leathergrandiose. Two other standout vitolas are the 8-9-8 in three-deep boxes and the regal Salomón, a doublefigurado that shows off the pinnacle of rolling art.
Tasting Experience
Puffing on a Partagas is like strolling through the soil of the planet. Depth and dimension. And full is what it is from the flavor profile, i.e., brimming with a moistearth/black pepper/roasted coffee bean center. It’s worthmentioning that while other milder brands might feature here and there on floral or creamy notes, this brand really goes for the dark. There would be deep leather and cedar flavors I am certain in the final third – and maybe cold molasses or bakers chocolate if you are lucky.
They are notaceably strong and would be a good after-dinner smoke. A fellow-classmates pairing They demand an appropriately muscular libation: a well-aged rum from the Caribbean, a smoky scotch from Islay or perhaps just a double espresso. The complexity of a vitola like the Serie E No. 2 or that ultimate Lusitania ensures your taste buds stay tinkered with, shifting from savoury spice to rich resinous sweetness which is Seleccion’s calling cardfinish.
A Legacy of Power
A = This is GOOD Part of the collector and aficionado, Par(t)agas personifies the bold soul of Cubancigar culture. This is a label who wears its heart on its sleeve and, at this price level with decent length and complexity doesn't ask you to put out. Whether is be the short but loud, or long and quiet Lusitania, all can hang dress to impress in a well stocked humidor. Once you start with this world-renowned brand, it’s not just a hobby, it is an experience that runs over 180 years of unmatched quality creating the standard for what an absolute powerhouse Habanos would need to be.
