Had a chance to smoke one of these yesterday....as background, the SD#4 used to be my favorite cigar back in the mid-late 90's....since that time I have found most SD#4's to be flat and missing that special oomph and full flavor that I was used to in the past and have shied away from this cigar in favor of the 898 Varnished, which has managed to maintain its consistent Partagas flavor--albeit in a different size.
The new Reserva I had yesterday was good from the get go yesterday and remained consistent throughout, exhibiting the same flavor characteristics I recalled from the regular SD#4's several years ago....this cigar carries a hefty price tag and will not be for everybody; however, it is a great tasting cigar and ready to smoke out of the box.

quote:

Originally posted by El Presidente:


I've only had 1 898 and it was so good I have no idea why I haven't picked up a box yet.

Thanks for the heads up on a cigar I'll never smoke due to extremely limited availability.

Yes, the 898 is one of the best Habanos without a doubt. Go and get a box, trust me.

They say (yes...they...that proverbial group of pundits who always have something to say about everything) that it's merely the regular production SD4 with a different wrapper. Worth $280 (CUC) for a box of 20 (that means, if you went with USD and converted, they cost you about $370...). I smoked a couple and I thought they were OK, but that's about it.

I had the opportunity of trying one on saturday at LCdH TJ. Roycigar is correct,these are a great cigar from the get go. Also, fairly strong but smooth. X

Tried one on Saturday at LCdH - TJ and it is indeed one of the best from Habanos in years.

It was strong & flavorful from start to finish. Mixed in with the classic Partagas taste was a hint of citrus somewhat like a cooked orange. It has been awhile since I have had one from the mid-90s and don't recall the citrus flavor.

Construction and appearance was flawless with the sticks appearing very close indeed to the same shade of color.

No tight draw here just a wonderful smoke all around.

Long ashes,
Cecil

Sounds like a relly good smoke, how much are they for a box?

Tried one yesterday, courtesy of a generous friend. Very nice cigar, rich, somewhat earthy flavor, but plenty of other Cuban cigars out there just as good for a fraction of the price.

Bassman,Please name some. TIA. X

The robusto is not my favorite vitola, but I'd rather have a box of 03 SLR Regios & 04 RyJ Ex#4 and a lot of change in my guitar case.

I hear ya. X

I Got a box and they look great will try 1 soon!

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Much like the OP, I loved these cigars in the 90's, as long as they were less thahn 4-5 months old. Very rich and strong. Then something happened, and I stopped buying/smoking them for the last 4-5 years. Once in awhile someone would give me one to try, made after 1999, and, to be polite, they really sucked.

When I was in Havana in May, I was given a few of these to try and, I have to say, my faith has been restored. A wonderful cigar.

Being the Partagas Whore that I am, I believe that I would still purchase several boxes of Partagas du Connaisseur No.1's instead of the Robusto Reserva. Now THAT is a complex, rich pure Partagas cigar............

quote:

Originally posted by bohdank:
Much like the OP, I loved these cigars in the 90's, as long as they were less thahn 4-5 months old. Very rich and strong. Then something happened, and I stopped buying/smoking them for the last 4-5 years. Once in awhile someone would give me one to try, made after 1999, and, to be polite, they really sucked.

When I was in Havana in May, I was given a few of these to try and, I have to say, my faith has been restored. A wonderful cigar.

You're observations are very interesting, yet I'm appalled that you find fresh cigars tastier than aged stock. This seems to be heresy amongst the cigar intelligentsia that has proclaimed that all cigars do better with a LOT of age and that you have only experienced 25% of the cigars potential.

I guess that there's no accounting for taste.

I count the D4, pre 2000, as the exception.

With 3+ years on them, they do recover nicely, with lots of taste but not enough body to support the flavor, imo.

Wine as compared to grape juice.

quote:

You're observations are very interesting, yet I'm appalled that you find fresh cigars tastier than aged stock. This seems to be heresy amongst the cigar intelligentsia that has proclaimed that all cigars do better with a LOT of age and that you have only experienced 25% of the cigars potential.

I guess that there's no accounting for taste.

I'm surprised you can see all that distance down your nose.

quote:

I'm surprised you can see all that distance down your nose.

My post was tongue-in-cheek relating to a recent and long debate over when new product should be enjoyed.

If you have a couple of hours here's the link;
http://forums.cigaraficionado.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7666095/m/656104113