Cigar Reviews
Partagas – 1845 Extra Fuerte
As a follow up to last week’s review of the Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro, I bring you a review of the Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte.
This is what I had to say about the two cigars in last week’s review:
In mid-March, General Cigar Company released the Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro, an internet and catalog retailer exclusive, along side its brick and mortar counterpart, the 1845 Extra Fuerte. The release of “two unique, channel specific collections” is not new to General Cigar Company as they took the same approach with the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Esteli and Serie R Black.
The 1845 Extra Oscuro wears a Connecticut Havana Oscuro wrapper over a Dominican binder and Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan fillers. While the 1845 Extra Fuerte showcases a Ecuadorian Habano Ligero wrapper, a Connecticut Habano binder, and Dominican Piloto Cubana and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos.
Cigar Coop released a news article in February providing some background on the Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte:
The Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte is based off the Partagas 1845 Heritage that was introduced two years ago. While it contains a similar tobacco profile; the Extra Fuerte will utilize tobaccos from higher primings, contain extra ligero, and its tobaccos will have extra barrel aging and fermentation.
In a press release announcing both of these releases, Alan Willner, vice president of marketing for General Cigar explains, “These new collections enhance the taste spectrum of Partagas 1845 which is one of the best-selling blends in our portfolio. We anticipate that the appeal of these new Partagas 1845 cigars will be shared equally among those who favor the heritage and craftsmanship of classic brands, and those who seek to expand their smoking repertoires with exciting new tastes.”
The cigars will be packaged similar to the original Partagas 1845 Heritage.
The 1845 Extra Fuerte and Extra Oscuro are produced in the same vitolas, except for the Rothchild vitola that is only available in the Extra Oscuro line. Here are the available sizes of the Extra Fuerte: Robusto Gordo (5 ½ by 52), Gigante (6 by 60), Supremo (7 by 58), and Double Corona (7 ½ by 54).
The Facts
Samples Provided by General Cigar Company
Price: $7.49
Vitola: Robusto Gordo
Size: 5 ½ by 52
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Ligero
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano and Nicaraguan
Drink: Water
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 50 Minutes
Pre-light
The 1845 Extra Fuerte wears a medium brown wrapper that is mostly consistent in color, but has a few greenish color imperfections. Veins ranging from small to medium in size web across the wrapper leaf. Between the veins and the bumps, this is one rugged looking stick. The wrapper aroma is very pleasant, with some warm cedar and mild manure notes. The foot gives off rich cedar notes, a damp forest smell and a peppery spice.
Unlike the Extra Oscuro reviewed last week, this cap is nothing to write home to mom about, but, like most caps, it gets the job done. The cold draw is right on, neither too firm nor too free, showing off a ton of that cedary richness. And as is common with most rich cigars for me, I am finding a bit of clove.
First Third
At the Start of the 1845 Extra Fuerte, I am finding some dry cedar or pencil shavings-like flavors as the smoke first arrives in my mouth. The flavors quickly deepen on the finish of the smoke to earth and black coffee. Some spice is causing a warmth in my mouth, which is keeping my palate alert and the retrohale highlights the cedar and pepper. The smoke is leaving my palate somewhat dry but not bothersome and certainly not anything a quick sip of water cannot fix. The profile is softer than expected and coming in at the low medium range in the flavor department. The burn-line remained edgy throughout the first third.
Middle Third
The spice is picking up, the cedar has stepped back, and some oak and toasted-bread notes are now in the flavor make-up. Up to this point, the profile is balanced with no dominating flavors or sharpness. Some floral or possibly citrus sweetness is moving in and out. The layered, black and white ash is holding past an inch.
Final Third
A quick touch-up is warranted as I pull into the final third of the Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte after an hour and a half. The flavors have finally crept up to a solid medium, with an increase in the intensity of the earthy flavor being the most noticeable. The earth flavor has become diesel-like on the finish of the smoke. The floral notes were short lived in the middle third. The pepper and cedar are still holding strong making up the core of the profile. A little nicotine has sneaked up on me as I prepare to put this cigar to rest.
Wrap-up
The Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte provided a balanced, medium flavor and strength experience (I perceived much more strength in the other sample). While there were not too many change-ups in the flavors, the flavors remained pleasant throughout. The floral or citrus sweetness I picked up on in the middle third was intriguing but never pushed its way to the front of the profile and quickly faded. Overall, the construction, performance, and flavors were all solid. The price tag under $8 should land this cigar in the sweet spot of most cigar smokers. Additionally, with the wide spread distribution of General Cigar Co.’s products, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the Partagas 1845 Extra Fuerte at a shop near you. Give this stick a try and let us know what you think.
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