Frank’s Review Of The Partagas Lusitania Gran Reserva

I was fortunate enough to smoke this cigar way before the official release in Havana together with Nino.

First third : I dry smoked the cigar for a few moments I was hit by the full Tobacco flavors. Unmistakably Partagas.

The cigar lit up perfectly and I immediately felt at home. (I love Partagas cigars and smoke a lot of them).

Smooth round taste of Tobacco and some sweet chocolate flavors hit my palate.

What a flavor right from the start (this is a very young cigar).

Second third : still this round velvet smoke. Cream like taste. A dream to smoke.  Still some hints of chocolate.

Perfect draw and even burn. Very good construction.  I can sometimes detect something sweet (other than chocolate) in it. Very nice.

Last third : still an even burn and perfect draw. The sweetness and chocolate flavor are almost gone by now and I can taste a pepper in it.

The cigar is getting stronger but I like that in a good cigar. Still this velvet smoke. Nothing harsh in it.

With 1cm left I put the cigar to rest and all that comes into my mind is that I need another one :-).

To me there was a clear distinction between the 3 parts while smoking this cigar. It stayed cool until the very end. Took me 1.45 Hr to smoke it and I loved every second of it.

I have smoked boxes full of the regular Lusitanias but must admit that this cigar is in another league.

I had the fear that this GR would be just another Lusitania with minor differences from the regular production cigar but to me it’s a completely different cigar.

Knowing that the cigar that I smoked was as fresh as a new born baby I know that this stick will develop nicely over the years and that the subtle flavors that I may have missed on this one will surely come out in a few years time.  I had this experience before while simultaneous smoking very young and aged regular Lusitanias.

I think they will become real power house cigars over the years. Just the right cigars for experienced smokers but maybe a little to strong for the novice smoker.

At last a cigar that differs from the main stream cigars that Habanos is putting out there the last years.

Is it worth the money they are going to ask for it ??  That’s up to you. I for sure am going to get some more of them.

© Frank Afficionado