Partagas Black Label Magnifico

After reading my review of the La Gloria Wavell Maduro, someone recommended that I give the Partagas Black Labels a try, so I did. This smoke was awesome in every way, and is now at the top of my list of Boxes to Order. I suppose I may as well get the one concern I had out of the way, even though it turned out to be a non-issue; as you can see in the picture below, there was a spot near a very large vein that seemed to be a hole in the wrapper, but it was never an issue. This beauty is a serious smoke and feels great in your hand, with good weight and sturdy construction. At 6 inches and 54 rg this oily stick smelled sweet but mild, pre light. As soon as I torched it up though, all of that changed.

One of my biggest pet peeves about cigars is when you have to wait around until the second third before there is any flavor, and this Partagas made sure that I had nothing to complain about. Immediately I was treated to heavy, heavy chocolate and coffee flavors which is always nice when a stick can pull it off, and this one certainly does. There was a subtle spice beneath the chocolate and coffee that I couldn’t quite place, but appreciated the way it offset the sweet C&C flavors to balance this smoke out perfectly. This cigar has a medium draw and burns perfectly, leaving a tight sturdy ash. By the end of the first third, I had already made a note about the pace at which this stick smokes, which is slow and easy.

Into the second third, flavor shifted a bit to earthier notes of leather and the C&C mellowed out a great deal. But sweetness came back in the form of caramel. The chocolate returned in the final third along with a touch of pepper as this smoke continued with its perfect burn right down to a nub, without ever going the slightest bit bitter. The best part of it all, this smoke lasted an incredibly delicious 2 hours.

Construction:
-The vein and hole concerned me, but it was never an issue. I’m sure a second review of this cigar would not have the same problem.

Taste:
-I just can’t imagine that a cigar much more flavor than this particular Partagas.

Value:
-My value rating is based on the $81.95 price tag for a box of 20 at CigarsInternational.com. I paid about 10 bucks for mine and that is just about as rich as my blood goes for a single smoke. This is perhaps a good time to bring up the fact that here in South Dakota, we have a huge tobacco tax and zero competition when it comes to cigar stores, so local prices are generally ridiculously high.

Overall:
-Because it never affected the enjoyment of the smoke, I will not let the minor wrapper blemish bring down it’s overall score. This is definitely a 5 star smoke.



5 Responses to “Partagas Black Label Magnifico”

1. Gourmet Food says:

   March 10, 2010 at 3:04 pm

   thanks for that

   Reply
2. Chris Leahy says:

   November 23, 2009 at 3:29 pm

   I agree top to bottom with this review with the exception of your concerns re: construction

   I’ve smoked about 6 of these and none of them
   have had any holes or cracks in the wrapper. A couple had a more pronounces vein, but nothing alarming.

   This cigar has become my favorite after dinner smoke.

   Reply
   • will says:

     November 23, 2009 at 8:21 pm

     Hey Chris-
     I agree, I have not had any other construction issues with these smokes and they have been a staple in my recent cigar diet. Glad you concur with my take.

     Have you had a chance to try an Arganese CL3? They are quite different than the Partagas 1845 but are and incredible smoke.

     Thanks for reading and leaving feedback.

     Reply
3. will says:

   September 9, 2009 at 2:27 pm

   These can be purchased for $85 a box at bestcigarprices.com

   Reply
4. Christine Danyi says:

   September 9, 2009 at 6:23 am

   I have paid about 20 dollars and that the maximum i can do for a single smoke.This particular cigar was excellent in its smoke all the way down, I will also not let the minor wrapper blemish bring down it’s overall score and rate it as a 5 star smoke. If you
   buy cigars you should definitely get this one.

   Reply