Partagas 898 – Varnished Box
There's a particular rhythm to opening a varnished Partagás box—the gentle creak of hinges, the faint aroma of cedar escaping into the air, and then that distinctive sight: eight cigars, then nine, then eight again, arranged like soldiers standing at attention for over a century. The 8-9-8 configuration isn't mere presentation; it's a declaration that some traditions deserve to remain untouched.
The Partagás factory sits on Calle Industria in Havana, and if those walls could speak, they'd tell you about 170 years of tobacco mastery. The 898 carries that weight without apology. While other brands chase market trends with limited editions and innovative ring gauges, Partagás remains stubbornly committed to what has always worked: bold tobacco, expert construction, and an unflinching dedication to the flavors that built Cuba's reputation. The Dalia format—often called Lonsdale in broader cigar terminology—represents a bygone era when elegance and power weren't considered mutually exclusive. At 43 ring gauge and nearly seven inches, this cigar offers something increasingly rare in modern cigar culture: a long, contemplative smoke that rewards patience.
The Colorado Maduro wrapper signals intent before the flame touches foot. This is not a cigar designed for casual puffing. Grown in the legendary Vuelta Abajo region, the leaf carries the signature Partagás darkness—a visual promise of the intensity waiting inside. The varnished box presentation elevates the experience further, protecting these cigars while announcing that their contents are worthy of preservation.
First Light
The opening draws present leather and cedar in equal measure, with a backdrop of roasted coffee beans that evokes old Havana cafés. The draw offers mild resistance—classic Cuban roll—delivering smoke that coats the palate without overwhelming. Black pepper prickles at the edges, but it remains polite, a suggestion rather than a demand. This is Partagás showing restraint, building anticipation rather than unleashing everything at once.
The Journey
The second third reveals the cigar's true character. Dark chocolate emerges, mingling with baking spices—cinnamon and a whisper of clove—that add complexity to the established leather foundation. The pepper gains confidence, settling into the roof of the mouth and lingering between puffs. Cedar remains the constant thread, but it deepens now, taking on toasted qualities as the burn line progresses. The smoke texture thickens appreciably, becoming creamy and substantial.
The Finale
The final act delivers what Partagás promised from the first look at that dark wrapper. Bold woody notes dominate, layered with intensified pepper and a return to leather—richer now, almost saddle-tanned in character. The strength builds steadily but never becomes aggressive; this is power with purpose. The finish carries hints of earth and mineral, grounding the experience in the Vuelta Abajo soil that birthed these leaves.
Who It's For
The 898 demands time—nearly two hours of it—and the presence of mind to appreciate how a cigar evolves when given room to breathe. This is a cigar for the experienced smoker who understands that true complexity requires patience. It belongs in the humidor of anyone who appreciates the Partagás philosophy: tradition over novelty, substance over flash. Save it for an evening when you can give it your full attention, perhaps after a substantial meal when the palate is ready for something assertive.
Pairing Suggestion
A single malt Scotch with sherry cask influence—think Macallan 12 or Glenfarclas—complements the chocolate and baking spice notes beautifully, while a dark aged rum like Zacapa 23 creates a sweeter dialogue with the pepper and leather.
