Partagas Serie D No. 4 Prelight
Don Jaime Partagás y Ravell founded Partagas in 1845 after building the original La Flor de Tabacas de Partagás in Havana, Cuba. Both before and after being seized by the Castro regime, Partagas has remained one of the top-selling Cuban marcas. The Partagas Lusitania was famously a favorite of the NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Partagas’ Serie D No.4 originally debuted in the 1930s and was discontinued in the 1960s before a re-release in 1975. The Serie D No. 4’s minimal red, gold, and black branding distinguishes itself from the Partagas core lineup. The Serie D No. 4 is among the best-selling Cuban cigars, second only to the Montecristo No. 4.
This example has a light rosado wrapper with a few spots and splotches. The wrapper is a bit thin, with small veins, and a well-applied cap. The aromas on the foot are cedar and milk chocolate. The draw is just a touch tighter than I’d like, and there are more cedar notes on the cold draw. This cigar was dry-boxed for 12 hours before lighting.
Partagas Serie D No. 4 First Third
We’re starting really nicely here. Classic Partagas yeasty sourdough notes, creamy roasted hazelnuts, and some green bell peppers on the palate. Sweet milk chocolate, paprika, and a touch of floral spice on the retrohale. Smoke output is medium. The burn line is a bit wavy, and the ash is a little flakey but seems to be holding on so far. There’s a medium finish of hazelnut and milk chocolate.
Partagas Serie D No. 4 Second Third
The flavors are growing in richness here in the second third. The notes on the palate are toasted sourdough, creamy roasted hazelnuts, green bell pepper, and freshly roasted coffee. The retrohale shows milk chocolate, dark chocolate, paprika, and some floral spice. The overall profile here reminds me of some toasted sourdough with Nutella. There’s a long finish of hazelnuts and chocolate. Smoke output remains at medium. The ash looks fantastic, but the burn line is still wobbly.
Partagas Serie D No. 4 Final Third
The flavors are getting toastier in the final third. Deeply toasted sourdough, creamy roasted hazelnuts, freshly ground coffee, and green bell pepper on the palate. The retrohale tones are milk chocolate, dark chocolate, paprika, and floral spice. The toasted sourdough and hazelnut flavor is still present, but the pepper, and coffee tones are close behind. The smoke output is medium. Ash is fine, but the burn line is still a wavey. Past the band, the flavors were mainly charred sourdough, bell peppers, and paprika. I put this one down with about an inch left.
Partagas Serie D No. 4 Conclusions
The Partagas Serie D No. 4 is a massively popular cigar and for very good reason. The blend would make either a novice or a seasoned veteran happy. The creamy Nutella tones and the signature Partagas sourdough note are fantastic together. There are clear consequences for success though. This is one of the most produced Cubans, and I would argue it is overproduced. The example chosen for review was the best experience I’ve had with the D4 so far, but I’ve had much worse experiences even within the same box. Recent price hikes have pushed the sticker to $25-$30 USD. It’s hard not to recommend the Serie D No.4 given its fantastic flavor profile, but don’t be shocked if you end up with a stinker.
