Partagas Black Label Maximo

There were couple things that surprised me with this cigar. When I slid this stick out of the tube I noticed two things right away, first it had  no band, second it was a what I would call rustic looking with its rough exterior texture. Neither of these things change the way a cigar smokes, it just struck me a odd. Back in the day, I smoked quite a bit of Partagas product and I'm not sure why I don't any more, but this Black Label was a good stick to get me feet wet with again.
Quick Details

• Cigar Size: 6  x 50 Maximo (Toro) Tubo
• Wrapper:  Connecticut Medio Tiempo
• Binder: Dominican-grown 'La Vega Especial'
• Filler: Nicaraguan and Piloto Cubano Ligero
• Cutting Method: Xikar guillotine
• Price: $9.99 purchased at Cigar Train

Once this Partagas Black Label Maximo was free from the tube I did my normal cold testing. I found notes of spiced tea and perhaps a touch of spiced rum from the foot and once the cap was clipped I found about the same flavors from the free cold draw.

Construction wise, the dark, oily, toothy,  wrapper made this cigar look not only rugged but stout. The wrapper wasn't seamless, but it was pretty close and there were only few very fine veins present. The burn produced a firm looking white ash that held to the 1/3 mark before falling.

Once the foot was toasted and burning I was rewarded with large plumes of smoke and big flavors. Initially the flavors were a mix of cocoa and toast with a barnyard, anise retro hale. As the burn progressed some oak and brown sugar entered the mix and at about the have way point the flavor took on a beefiness, some of that in favor, but more in smoke texture, the smoke just felt beefy and chewy. Soon after that came some coffee and cream followed shorty by creamy chocolate notes for a super long, super tasty finish.

The only negative point about this cigar was it developed a wrapper crack soon after it was lit, but I managed to get it stuck back down and finish the cigar with no other problems.

Overall, the flavor  mix wasn't what I would call complex, but wow it sure was delicious. You Can pick up a 5-pack from Famous Smoke Shop for only $27.99. Give it a try and see what you think!

 Rated: 95