Video review HERE.
(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)
Partagas Valle Verde, a new, full-time collection debuts as the first Partagas blend to be crowned with a Mexican San Andrés leaf.
John Hakim, brand manager of Partagas said, “Partagas Valle Verde builds on the Partagas tradition of rich, refined blends and calls upon its rich Mexican wrapper to deliver a unique smoking experience to the brand portfolio. It is the ideal choice for cigar enthusiasts who are drawn to well-aged tobaccos.”
The line was named after a lush agricultural region called the “Green Valley” where the brand’s wrapper tobacco was grown. Bordering the Gulf of Mexico, the valley has a comparatively cool climate, a prolonged rainy season and a nutrient-rich volcanic soil. There, the region’s growers yield a pristine, light brown wrapper tobacco that is rich and layered.
The intricacy of Partagas Valle Verde comes from the well-aged tobaccos that comprise its blend. Harvested in 2020, the three-year-old-wrapper tobacco opens the smoking experience with a wave of earthiness, offering hints of sweetness and cocoa. True to the blend legacy of Partagas, Valle Verde is made with a sungrown Cameroon binder, harvested for this blend from 2015. The filler features Mexican San Andrés, Nicaraguan Jalapa and Esteli tobaccos from 2020. The result is a fascinating smoke that balances rich, sweet notes with an intriguing spice.
Partagas Valle Verde will launch with three full-time sizes that are packed in 20-count boxes, and a limited edition, box-pressed Belicoso that comes in a ten-count box. The line is handcrafted in Honduras at HATSA and will be distributed by Forged Cigar Company.
Available vitolas:
Partagas Valle Verde Robusto (5” x 50); SRP per cigar $7.99
Partagas Valle Verde Toro (6” x52); SRP per cigar $8.49 REVIEWED TODAY
Partagas Valle Verde Double Corona (7.5” x54); SRP per cigar $9.49
(Limited Edition) Partagas Valle Verde Belicoso (6.5” x 52); SRP per cigar $9.99
The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was a sweet apricot, citrus peel, brown sugar, earthiness, and leather. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Interesting start.
At the first third (27 minutes) the ash was still intact. There is now more citrus peel than apricot. Much more, actually. There is still brown sugar and now, cinnamon. There is also plenty of earthiness and leather. It's an old, worn leather. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is citrus peel and leather with good lingering black pepper. I rated the first third 91.
As I moved through the second third (1 hour 3 minutes) I lost the apricot and the citrus peel increased. The cigar is also more earthy. There is still a little brown sugar and cinnamon. The leather is light and there is now black coffee at the base. The cigar is medium bodied, leaning toward medium to full. The finish is mostly leather with a hint of citrus peel and very good lingering black pepper. The cigar started to lose me with the increase of citrus peel and a dip in the sweetness. I rated the second third 89.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 29 minutes. The cigar made a nice turnaround in the final third. I still had the citrus peel but there's now a citrus element giving it more sweetness. There was increased brown sugar also. There was still cinnamon, earthiness, light leather, and a lot of black coffee. The black pepper also improved. It is now 8+. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is citrus peel and leather with very good lingering black pepper. I enjoyed the final third more than any other. I rated the final third 92.
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