Country of origin: Dominican Republic
Color: Oscuro
Length: 5.5"
Ring gauge: 52
Wrapper: Connecticut Habano Oscuro
Binder: Dominican (proprietary La Vega Especiale)
Filler: Dominican/Nicaraguan/Honduran ligero (barrel-aged)
Rating*: ★★★★
Just when I thought that the Black Label was the best Partagas line created by General Cigar Co., Inc., look what they come up with...
In mid-March 2014, the company launched two Partagas 1845 line extensions: the Extra Fuerte (created exclusively for sale at brick and mortar cigar shops), and Extra Oscuro (only available through internet and catalog retailers) - both collections boasting its own distinctive blend. One of my "go-to", everyday smokes for a number of years has been Partagas Black Label, especially the Magnifico, a toro measuring 6" x 54. The Black Label is blended with Nicaraguan and Dominican ligero, bound with a proprietary Dominican binder leaf, wrapped with a dark, oily Connecticut Medio Tiempo leaf. Though obviously a different blend, with the similarities (at least on paper), I automatically knew I would like the new Extra Oscuro - just didn't expect to like it so much more than the Black Label!
Five Extra Oscuros were generously provided by General Cigar Co. just prior to launch, and I need more of these in my life. The cigar is adorned with a band identical to the Partagas 1845, but is silver with royal purple accents for differentiation. It possesses an absolutely beautiful and oily Oscuro wrapper with tiny veins and visible seams, and it has a very silky texture. The wrapper gives off a pungent tobacco aroma, but the foot offers a polar-opposite very sweet tobacco aroma. The cigar is easy to light and the burn is relatively even throughout the smoke, without the need for any touch-ups or re-lights - very nicely constructed cigar.
Cold draw does not provide much flavor; however, once lit, the cigar is full of body and strength. Although lacking in complexity, the Extra Oscuro has a fantastic charred oak and peaty flavor with elements of sweet black licorice that remains consistent throughout the entire smoke, with no transition or fluctuations in flavor. This is a very smooth and creamy cigar, and produces a great deal of aromatic smoke with each draw. The Extra Oscuro is a home run - in my opinion, the best of the Partagas portfolio.
In addition to the Robusto Gordo vitola, Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro is available in 18-count boxes in four other vitolas: Double Corona (7.5 x 54), Rothschild (4.5” x 50), Gigante (6” x 60), and Supremo (7” x 58).
For more information, check out the website at www.partagas1845.com. On social media, you can follow the brand on Twitter (@partagas) and 'LIKE' the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/partagas).