2004 Partagas 898 Varnished

6.75 inches by 43

Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

Storage: 63 – 65 RH at 63 – 68 F.

Construction: Mottled khaki brown and colorado wrapper with a few small veins. Fairly solid roll with one minor soft spot.

Prelight: Very light cedar, wood, and sweet tobacco aroma. Medium draw. Cedar and sweet woody taste with a hint of coffee.

Burn: Lit evenly, slight meandering burn, never required touch-up (I'd hope so, the darn thing is 8 years old!). Off-white ash tinged with charcoal gray.

Drink: Iced cappuccino

Smoking Notes: The initial notes were a great leathery tobacco taste highlighted by a very nice light nuttiness and light coffee. The smoke was very thick and creamy. By 1/3, this baby is blasting out the classic Partagas pumpkin pie spice, red clay earthiness, coffee and cocoa. Mid-point, the Partagas chocolate notes kick in and the coffee, leather and rich tobacco deepen. And, down to the wire the famous Partagas black pepper notes pick up. Partagas is probably my fav cuban marca and I nubbed this baby.

Overall Impression: An iced cappuccino and a Partagas - what a classic combo!