Finding my perfect Havana moment with the beautiful Partagas D4

One of the first Cuban cigars I experienced that really knocked me sideways and stopped me in my tracks was a Partagas Serie D No.4 (know as the Partagas D4 for short) back in January 2010. Since then I have always sought to keep these delectable sticks in my humidor for when I want to stop time and let the world carry on without me.

Back in November 2015 I treated myself to a box of 10 and have just one of them left sitting patiently waiting for exactly the right time. Over the years I have kept my eye on how they are aging and they have done so beautifully. This is not a review of a well-aged Partagas D4, but rather one that has been sitting in my humidor for just over fifteen months now.

I’m sure that you can imagine my delight when, back in July 2019, I was able to get my hands on a box of 25 of one of my all time favourite cigars for just over £11 per stick from iHavanas! Given how much I have enjoyed the Partagas D4’s that I have aged so far, I was excited to be able to have some to smoke now, some for savouring a bit later, and a good number to leave to age.

The first thing I always notice about this particular Cuban cigar is the simplicity of the band and how smooth the lightly oily wrapper is to the touch. I have noticed that during their time aging this oiliness develops over the years taking the cigar from a Colorado wrapper to a more of a Maduro wrapper.

Straight out of the humidor, this fifteen month old cigar tickled my nostrils with scents of a forest on an early spring morning when they leaves are still damp with dew and the woodland flowers are at their most heady. As I let it sit in my ashtray for a few minutes whilst I got my cutter and lighter, a subtle hint of jasmine and butter developed.

Once cut, the cold draw coated my pallet with flavours of bay leaf, cedar and coconut enticing me to take a couple more cold draws before commencing the ritual of lighting. I knew that this was going to be an enjoyable smoke and take me to the flavour banquet I have come to expect from the Partagas D4.

My first draw on the Partagas D4 was sweet without being saccharine. Hints of creamy cardamom rice pudding and hay filled my mouth and left a beautifully warm oiliness on my lips. Between draws I couldn’t help but admire the perfect construction and even burn of this cigar – it truly was a handsome sight. As I settled in to an evening of good smoking and bonhomie with my cigar brothers and sisters around the world, the cedar from the cold draw once again started to make itself known.

Having finished my trusty Espresso Martini, I thought it only appropriate to mix myself a Godfather cocktail as I truly felt as though the world belonged to me.

As the cigar entered the middle third, it started to reveal notes of freshly toasted brioche with lashings of salted butter and a sprinkling of nutmeg as the fresh spring essences from the cold draw matured into rich autumn flavours of cedar and moss. As I drifted away watching the enchanting trails of smoke dance above my head, I noticed the flavour of fresh cut hay on a dewy autumn morning; a familiar smell and taste that I have noted before in the Partagas D4.

The final third treated me to a medium-well done steak cooked over an open grill, served with a creamy peppercorn sauce. Time really did start to slow down and for the remainder of the cigar. My world consisted of me, my cigar and my gently warming glass of Rémy Martin VSOP cognac to finish off the evening. This was my perfect Havana moment.

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Partagas D4 Cigar Details