Partagas Serie P No.2

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Happy New Year everyone!!! Better late than ever I guess…

I think I’ve started somewhat of a new year tradition or ritual. This is the second year in a row where my wife and I start the year with a morning of exercise, coffee, nature, reflection and of course a great cigar.

It can be so easy to take for granted the small things in life that energise you and bring you joy. At the end of 2022 I did a Past Year Review (you can read about it here) and it helped me identifying exercising, nature, coffee and cigars as the activities that fill me up with positive energy. Hence, these will be my focus for 2023.

2023 is going to be a year full of changes for me, so I want to let you know that I’ll be changing from “What I’m smoking this week” to “What I’m smoking this month”. I can’t wait to see what this year has in stock for my cigar journey and do let me know if you have any questions or suggestions of cigars to try.

Here is what I’m smoking this month! The Partagas Serie P No. 2 a beautiful 6 1/8 X 52 figurado or should I say “Pirámide” paired with a delicious oat flat white from one of my top 3 coffee roasters in London, Attendant.

To quote David letterman, this brand needs no introduction. Partagas, described by manny as one of the most definitive way to enjoy Cuba tobaccos has a rich history and some magnificent blends. In this occasion I went for one of their classical Alphabet Series, their quintessential Piramide.

The alphabet series is one of the most recognisable line of Cuban cigars with their bright red band with gold font. This series was created in the 1930’s using the alphabet to introduce different vitolas. Remember that back then there was not the same variety of vitolas we have today. Unfortunately out of 16 vitolas introduced in that line it was only the Serie D No.4 who survived.

It was not until 2005 where the Serie P No. 2 made its way into regular production and joined the hall of fame of Torpedos together with the Montecristo No.2, H. Upmann No.2 and Diplomáticos No.2.

To continue with the small things that people take from granted, I wanted to really soak in the great city where I live and decided to enjoy the cigar as we were walking around one of our favourite areas of the city - Marylebone. When was the last time that you looked up and appreciate your surroundings as you rush through your city?

Pre-light it has a strong spicy aroma with notes of black pepper, red chilli and a whiff of apricot on the foot. The dark tan colour wrapper is just beautiful. In case you don’t know, Partagas has a reputation of being some of the strongest Cuban tobaccos.

Good solid start with a sturdy body and big puffs of smoke. No sign of fruity notes and heavily focused on the leathery and earthy notes. Quite bitter beginning followed by a herbal lingering on the back of my throat.

As I go along, I don’t get too much of a change of flavours. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but is just a one sided cigar really focused on wood, earth and leather notes.

Overall it was a good cigar. I will definitely smoke it again in the future, however, I have to address the -cuban- elephant in the room. It had major burning issue, constantly tunnelling and having to touch it up as I was going along. Unfortunately this is a common issue with Cuban cigars.

The flavours are really present -medium full- which together with their consistency it makes for a great cigar to be smoking whilst doing something else. Living up to it’s name, it is indeed a strong cigar which was balanced beautifully by the flat white I was having it with. For pairing, I would recommend a rich rum or a nice sweet bourbon.

But now I want to hear from you, have you set up your goals for 2023?What cigars are you most looking forward to enjoy this year? Have you ever smoked a cigar whilst having a stroll?

Let me know in the comments section below, but for now, I will say thank you so much for being here and I hope you have a great day.