Good cigar, well constructed, a powerful smoke. Certainly an excellent little smoke.
Hands-down, this is one of the best Robustos on the market. This will go head-to head with the Cohiba Robustos and hold its own. A powerful smoke, this will give any cigar smoker a true appreciation of the Partagas line.
The quality of tobacco is exceptional, as Jaime Partagás was a great innovator and concentrated meticulously on techniques to improve production, especially in the area of fermentation.
The draw itself is perfect, it has just the right amount of resistance. Once the foot is lit, the cigar releases a very thick and white creamy smoke. Beautiful burn right away.
The 8-9-8 (called so, as it is packaged in layers of 8 cigars on 9 cigars on 8 cigars) remains a Partagas and therefore sports a powerful body, climaxing with a very strong finish. Interestingly mild when very young, this cigar will need a few years to find a balance of blend and strength.
A Partagas is immediately recognisable by its deep, earthly flavour. The character of its blend springs from a selection of filler and binder tobaccos grown in the Vuelta Abajo zone and chosen for their unmistakable richness of flavour and aroma.