It's time once again for me to post up my opinion on a Cammy stick and see if it can yank the proverbial sword from the stone and claim rule over the Cameroon kingdom! I must warn you that this one will be on the shorter side since I've been pretty busy as of late trying to wrap things up before graduation.
Up to bat this past Friday was the Partagas Ltd. Reserve Decadas 1998 No. 2. It seemed fit to have a special cigar since I found out I'm one of three people to get a partial scholarship to my physical therapy school, woot woot! Not only does it have one of the longest names that I've come across but also some of the most tasteful packaging. Each tube comes in a glass test tube complete with cork stopper and copper hang tag. The wrapper on this stick, as you may have deduced from the name, is about ten years old when it's shipped out to stogie lovers and the age definitely has not hurt.
This was the second No. 2 Decadas I've tried and the third Decadas overall. When I first had this exact stick the first time it was in 2005 and I still remember that cigar as being one of the best I've ever had. Well things have apparently changed now, cause in 2009 I believe I have a much better appreciation for truly well-done cigars.
Construction: As would be expected from a cigar that has a $15 asking price, construction was top notch, especially for the infamously fragile cameroon leaf. Although the cigar gave the appearance of a near perfect build, the burn left a bit to be desired. Although this cigar puts out smoke clouds that would make a cumulonimbus shake in it's boots, the burn was not what it should have been for a cigar of this caliber. Now that I've said that I will confess that the other two I had were near razor sharp. I'm thinking the 1995 was the best I've had of the bunch though. Ash was super white and held strong. Draw was slightly tight but not a problem.
Flavor: This Cameroon, though light in body packs a good bit of flavor punch when compared to similar sticks. While the expected flavors of sweet spice and some light chocolate came into play I also got hay, leather and a good bit of earth (more than I've had with other cammys). Still, it just did not compare to my current fave, the LFD cameroon cabinet. My buddy was smoking one of the two LFD Double Ligero Cameroon lanceros that uncelnino gifted me (thanks Dave!) and I must confess that I definitely liked the the several puffs I took of that stick. It's not that the Partagas is a poor cigar but it is one that I would have rather paid about $8 for. (let's remember I'm on a budget!)
Overall: While the Partagas Decadas is still a very enjoyable cigar, this time around it just didn't have the same OMG factor that I've had in the past. If I had the money to spend I'd buy another one of these, but I'd much rather have a couple LFD's instead.When weighing value into the equation I think it's fair to give the Partags Ltd. Decadas 1998 No. 2 a 8.6/10 Thanks for reading friends! Opinions welcome!
Up to bat this past Friday was the Partagas Ltd. Reserve Decadas 1998 No. 2. It seemed fit to have a special cigar since I found out I'm one of three people to get a partial scholarship to my physical therapy school, woot woot! Not only does it have one of the longest names that I've come across but also some of the most tasteful packaging. Each tube comes in a glass test tube complete with cork stopper and copper hang tag. The wrapper on this stick, as you may have deduced from the name, is about ten years old when it's shipped out to stogie lovers and the age definitely has not hurt.
This was the second No. 2 Decadas I've tried and the third Decadas overall. When I first had this exact stick the first time it was in 2005 and I still remember that cigar as being one of the best I've ever had. Well things have apparently changed now, cause in 2009 I believe I have a much better appreciation for truly well-done cigars.
Construction: As would be expected from a cigar that has a $15 asking price, construction was top notch, especially for the infamously fragile cameroon leaf. Although the cigar gave the appearance of a near perfect build, the burn left a bit to be desired. Although this cigar puts out smoke clouds that would make a cumulonimbus shake in it's boots, the burn was not what it should have been for a cigar of this caliber. Now that I've said that I will confess that the other two I had were near razor sharp. I'm thinking the 1995 was the best I've had of the bunch though. Ash was super white and held strong. Draw was slightly tight but not a problem.
Flavor: This Cameroon, though light in body packs a good bit of flavor punch when compared to similar sticks. While the expected flavors of sweet spice and some light chocolate came into play I also got hay, leather and a good bit of earth (more than I've had with other cammys). Still, it just did not compare to my current fave, the LFD cameroon cabinet. My buddy was smoking one of the two LFD Double Ligero Cameroon lanceros that uncelnino gifted me (thanks Dave!) and I must confess that I definitely liked the the several puffs I took of that stick. It's not that the Partagas is a poor cigar but it is one that I would have rather paid about $8 for. (let's remember I'm on a budget!)
Overall: While the Partagas Decadas is still a very enjoyable cigar, this time around it just didn't have the same OMG factor that I've had in the past. If I had the money to spend I'd buy another one of these, but I'd much rather have a couple LFD's instead.When weighing value into the equation I think it's fair to give the Partags Ltd. Decadas 1998 No. 2 a 8.6/10 Thanks for reading friends! Opinions welcome!
