What is the history of the Partagás cigar brand?

Established in 1845 by Don Jaime Partagás, this is one of the oldest cigar brands still in production. Don Jaime purchased the factory located at 60 Industria Street in Havana, a site that remains famous today. Following his death, the brand was acquired by the Cifuentes family in 1900. Renowned for its use of premium tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region, the brand is celebrated for a distinctively rich flavor profile and the creation of the Lusitania, a prominent Double Corona in the cigar world.

What does a Partagás Lusitania taste like?

The Partagás Lusitania offers a complex, medium-to-full-bodied flavor profile characteristic of the brand. Smokers will identify distinct notes of earth, wood, and spice, often accompanied by hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Measuring 7 5/8 inches with a 52 ring gauge, this Double Corona provides a cool draw that allows the flavors to evolve throughout the smoke. It is a benchmark for those seeking the classic, robust taste associated with Cuban tobacco, delivering consistent earthiness with a creamy finish.

How can you identify authentic Partagás cigar bands?

Authentic Partagás bands feature a detailed portrait of a woman and distinct gold lettering on a red background. Collectors often analyze the specific "Standard Band A" design for variations in print quality and dimensions to determine vintage. On modern releases, look for the holographic seal and ensure the gold borders are sharp rather than pixelated. The band has undergone several subtle design tweaks since the 19th century, making visual verification essential for distinguishing genuine Cuban production from counterfeit versions.

What is the history of the Partagás cigar brand?

Established in 1845 by Don Jaime Partagás, this is one of the oldest cigar brands still in production. Don Jaime purchased the factory located at 60 Industria Street in Havana, a site that remains famous today. Following his death, the brand was acquired by the Cifuentes family in 1900. Renowned for its use of premium tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region, the brand is celebrated for a distinctively rich flavor profile and the creation of the Lusitania, a prominent Double Corona in the cigar world.

What does a Partagás Lusitania taste like?

The Partagás Lusitania offers a complex, medium-to-full-bodied flavor profile characteristic of the brand. Smokers will identify distinct notes of earth, wood, and spice, often accompanied by hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Measuring 7 5/8 inches with a 52 ring gauge, this Double Corona provides a cool draw that allows the flavors to evolve throughout the smoke. It is a benchmark for those seeking the classic, robust taste associated with Cuban tobacco, delivering consistent earthiness with a creamy finish.

How can you identify authentic Partagás cigar bands?

Authentic Partagás bands feature a detailed portrait of a woman and distinct gold lettering on a red background. Collectors often analyze the specific "Standard Band A" design for variations in print quality and dimensions to determine vintage. On modern releases, look for the holographic seal and ensure the gold borders are sharp rather than pixelated. The band has undergone several subtle design tweaks since the 19th century, making visual verification essential for distinguishing genuine Cuban production from counterfeit versions.

Brand History

Partagás

Partagás Cigar Bands: A Visual History

The iconic Partagás band has undergone several transformations throughout the brand's storied history. Collectors and enthusiasts often use these distinctive bands as a means of dating vintage boxes and identifying special releases. Understanding the evolution of Partagás bands provides valuable insight into both the brand's heritage and the broader story of Cuban cigar production.

Standard Band A - Text alignment variation Image

Standard Production Bands

Partagás has employed two primary standard band designs during its modern era, each marking a distinct period in the brand's production history.

Band Type	Period	Characteristics
Standard Band A	Pre-1960s to approximately 2002	Embossed design
Standard Band A (Text Alignment Variation)	Approximately 2002 to 2007/2008	Embossed with modified text positioning
Standard Band B	2007/2008 to present	Current embossed design

The transition from Band A to Band B represented a significant visual update for the brand, while the earlier text alignment variation serves as an interesting marker for cigars produced during that brief transitional period in the early 2000s.

Special and Limited Edition Bands

Partagás has commemorated significant milestones and introduced special series through distinctive band designs that differ from the standard production bands. These special bands have become highly collectible in their own right.

Anniversary Editions

165 Aniversario Band
510 Aniversario Band
Special 160 Aniversario Band

Serie Collections

The Partagás Serie line has featured some of the most sought-after special bands in recent decades:

Serie C No.1 Band
Serie D Especial Band
Serie D No.1 Band
Serie D No.3 Band
Serie D No.4 Band
Serie D No.5 Band
Serie E No.2 Band
Serie P No.1 Band
Serie P No.2 Band

Other Special Releases

Early Partagás de Partagás Band
Partagás Selección Privada Band
Reserva Cosecha 2000 Band
Special Culebras Band
Special Maduro No. 3 Band

Early Custom Band Type 1 - Coronas Image

Early Custom Band Type 2 - Petit Cetro Image

Classic and Vintage Bands

Early Standard Band A - For machine-made cigars Image

The earliest Partagás bands showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defined premium cigar presentation in the first half of the twentieth century. These embossed custom bands were created for specific vitolas, reflecting a time when individual cigar sizes often received their own distinctive branding.

Early Custom Band Type 4 - Half-a-Corona Image

Band Designation	Vitola	Era
Early Custom Band Type 1	Coronas	Believed to be pre-1950s
Early Custom Band Type 2	Petit Cetro	Early production period
Early Custom Band Type 3	Perfectos	Early production period
Early Custom Band Type 4	Half-a-Corona	Early production period
Early Standard Band A	Machine-made cigars	Early production period

All of these early bands featured embossed detailing, demonstrating the premium positioning of the Partagás brand even in its earliest days. The existence of a separate band for machine-made cigars indicates the brand's historical production of both handmade and machine-made lines, each receiving appropriate branding distinction.

Collecting Significance

For serious collectors, understanding Partagás band variations serves multiple purposes. The bands help authenticate vintage boxes, establish approximate production dates, and identify special releases that may carry significant value. The embossing quality, text positioning, and overall design elements all provide clues to a cigar's provenance and age.

Questions & Answers

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