Ok, so here's what I expected. I expected full bodied, full strength. This is no small cigar, so I was expecting to have a little trouble walking afterwards. Well, I didn't. Here's the review.

VITOLA: DALIA (6 3/4" X 43)

APPEARANCE AND CONSTRUCTION (15/15)
Gorgeous medium brown colorado wrapper that glistened with oils and had a nice amount of plume on it. A well constructed cap that cut perfectly (she almost jumped off!). This one had that sweet barnyard scent mixed with earth and some cedar.

FLAVOR (21/25)
First flavor was sweet cream right off the draw. The prelight draw had the same, with just a hint of wood. Almost instantaneously she picked up notes of spice and cedar, but neither ever truly became potent or complex, but rather stayed somewhat subdued. Nuts were detected at times, and chocolate was noticed at about 1/3 of the way into the cigar. The real dissapointment here was that I expected depth and complexity of flavor out of a cuban, especially a Partagas, of this size. Instead what I got was a mild-medium cigar that tasted fine, but really didn't satiate my desire for a spicy, full bodied smoke like the Punch Punch or PSD4 do, or the Lusi to a lesser extent.

SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS (20/25)
She burned unevenly at first but self corrected, and started off with a tight draw that *thankfully* opened up after 1/3 of the cigar was gone. However, she started burning so hot at an inch and a half left that I had to put it down, and I usually smoke cigars to the point where the cherry almost touches my fingers. Big deductions here.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS (32/35)
A good mild/medium bodied cigar with mild strength, something I would give to someone who wanted to sit down for a smoke but didn't really know their cigars. Also could make for a good study/work cigar, since it won't distract you too much by making your world spin. However, at the price, there are many better alternatives. I wouldn't turn one down, but then again, I would rather spend the money on a box of PSD4s or MC2s.

OVERALL SCORE: 88

I have yet to try the rest of the SD line from Partagas (I just got an SD1 and SD2 in today, will review those later in the week, or possibly next week), but from what I have read I am beginning to agree that it really is their best stuff. The SD4 was just outta this world, I get cravings for that specific cigar, and from what I've read the SD3 is as good if not better so I am fervently trying to find one of those as well. It's worth a try (what cigar isn't?), but if you're buying a box or you're looking for a fuller smoke, look somewhere else, this one ain't your cup of tea.

Did you heard anything about Partagas 898 (Varnish) with 10sticks packing?

What year was your 898? Mine from 1999 seem to fit your flavor profile, while the ones I have from 2002 are truely powerful cigars.

The 8-9-8 is nothing but a full smoke. You are right, it wont give you the punch of an SD1, 2, 3 or 4 or a MC 2, it's not supposed to. It's an elegant cigar, with great dymanic and complexity, yet true to its Partagas profile. It's not a mild cigar, not even medium strength I'd say. Medium - Full but more towards the front end of that range, IMO.

I think what you are looking for is an SD4 in a lonsdale format ... lonsdales are lonsdales ... appreciate each vitola for what it is. Just my .02 cents.

Giving this cigar to someone who doesn't know their cigars? Absolutely not. Again IMO. This is a complex cigar for someone who can appreciate the vitola for what it is.

If they want just a raw spicy, kick in the face, give 'em an SD4. I'd almost question the authenticity of the cigar you smoked from your review. It's just not characteristic of the vitola. IMO !

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ron Barrelito,

I am not sure of the year, i purchased it as a single. I am 100% sure it wasn't a fake, I may have not given it enough rest time in the humi, or it coulda just been a bad representation.

Depending on the length of the cigar's "trip", humidor time could have been a factor. I find some cigars smoke superb right off the delivery truck, such as the SD3, and others need a week or two to acclimate. Many other factors could have been to blame as well; what you ate, drank, etc. Still the most likely culprit is the authenticity of the cigar, but giving you the benefit of the doubt on this subject, I'm sure it was one of the former.