Thursday, December 29, 2011

Partagas Short

I had another one of these diminutive and yet well-known cigars a few weeks ago.

To cut a long story, well, short, it was on the fuller side of medium body to start out with, just pure leather. As usual, the little beast made me feel like I was gnawing on the edges of an luxurious mahogany and leather sofa. No doubt you've tried this if you've been to one of those turn of the century gentleman's clubs... it tastes like you are chewing on the unbridled power of patriarchy, capital, and the industrial revolution from above. This is expensive leather, with a certain elegance and complexity to it... which is no more than a smug expression veiling the threat of violence beneath. White pepper and a cedar kick round out the finish.

Half way through there is a slight lightening of mood as a new - admittedly very slight - hint of sweetness emerges. Cinnamon and caramel on the back of the cedar zing; the deal sweetens ever so slightly if you play along and work at its rhythm. It doesn't last though... you were the one being played, the brooding power beneath is slowly unleashed in all of its full-bodied glory and crushes the life out of your tastebuds, leaving you parched and weak. You are left flailing in a meaty earthiness with leathery smoke so thick you can chew on it.

It's pretty damn hard to masticate on an expensive leather sofa.

2 comments:

  1. yum... That sets a great mood for whatever cigar. Last one I had was with a whisky and felt no complex flavours. Just nice sweet rich aroma and a fairly full taste. I like the sounds of the search for caramel and cinnamon while reading the morning stock market on that sofa.

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  2. i shared greg's one the other day... and it has already matured a bit more than this review (that i wrote a few months ago and forgot about as usual). those caramel and cinnamon type flavours were much more apparent, and almost the whole way through the cigar... just deliciously balanced (Greg's video coming soon). you auckland boys will be getting your forgotten one in the next batch!!

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