In today’s review, I’ll be sharing my impressions of the Partagás Maduro No. 3. Let’s get into it!
I received this cigar as a gift from Paweł Załęcki of the Old Havana Cigar Lounge in Katowice during an event called Cigar Deconstruction with Alex. As he handed me the cigar, Pablo said, “Here, smoke something good.” Needless to say, he didn’t have to tell me twice.
I’m sure both the sentiment and this unexpected, thoughtful gesture from our host will have some influence on my review. So, how did I enjoy my very first Cuban Maduro? Read on to find out.
But before we get into it, since this is my first review of a Partagás cigar, let’s start with…
A Few Words on Partagás
Partagás is one of the oldest cigar brands in the Habanos S.A. portfolio. The brand was founded by Don Jaime Partagás, who established the Real Fábrica de Tabacos de Partagás in Havana in 1845. Interestingly, just six years later, in 1851, the brand won a gold medal at the Great Exhibition in London.
Jaime Partagás y Ravell was a Catalan, born in 1816 in Arenys de Mar, Spain. He arrived in Cuba as a teenager, around 1831. Before establishing his own brand, he gained experience in the tobacco trade and cigar manufacturing. Over time, he acquired plantations in the Vuelta Abajo region, securing direct access to some of the finest tobacco available. Don Jaime was far more than just a factory owner. He took a keen interest in tobacco fermentation, leaf selection, and aging. Historical accounts credit him with experimenting with fermentation techniques and making significant contributions to the development of cigar production methods of his time.
Partagás is also associated with one of the most fascinating traditions of Cuban cigar factories. Don Jaime is often cited as one of the pioneers of the practice of employing a lector – a reader who would read newspapers and literature aloud to the torcedores as they worked. This tradition became one of the defining features of Cuban galera culture, with news, politics, and literature read aloud to cigar rollers during their long hours at the rolling tables.
Don Jaime’s story, however, did not end with a peaceful retirement. In 1868, he was shot on one of his plantations in Vuelta Abajo. The circumstances surrounding his death remain somewhat mysterious to this day. Following his death, his son José took over the business, which would subsequently change hands several times.
Around the turn of the 20th century, a name that would become particularly important in the history of Partagás entered the picture: Cifuentes. Ramón Cifuentes became involved with the company in the late 19th century, and the Cifuentes family eventually took control of the business.
Following the Cuban Revolution, the country’s tobacco industry was nationalized. The Partagás factory was taken over by the Cuban government in 1960, and the Cifuentes family left the island. The Partagás name, however, survived and remained one of Cuba’s most important cigar brands on the international market.
Partagás Maduro No. 3
The story of the Partagás Maduro line began relatively recently, in 2015, when Habanos introduced the Maduro No. 1, initially as an exclusive offering for La Casa del Habano and Habanos Specialists. Three years later, the Línea Maduro made its official debut.
During the 20th Festival del Habano, held in Havana from February 26 to March 2, 2018, Partagás was one of the brands in the spotlight. At the closing gala on March 2, two new cigars were officially unveiled: the Maduro No. 2 and the Maduro No. 3, the latter being the subject of today’s review. The original Maduro No. 1 was also incorporated into the regular portfolio, bringing the three vitolas together under the Línea Maduro banner.
Habanos describes maduro primarily as a very dark brown wrapper leaf. In the case of Línea Maduro, the company emphasizes that its distinctive capa madura undergoes an additional period of fermentation, giving the wrapper its characteristic dark appearance.
A Few Technical Notes
The cigar comes in a format somewhere between a slightly oversized Robusto and a somewhat shorter Toro- it’s hard to say exactly. It measures 5 3/4 inches (approximately 14.5 cm) in length, with a 50 ring gauge. At first glance, the wrapper is dark, rich, and noticeably oily.
The cigar is a Cuban puro, made entirely from Cuban tobacco. It features two bands: the first bears the classic Partagás logo in its signature red and gold colors, while the second, positioned just below it, comes in gold and brown and leaves no doubt as to which cigar we’re holding.
The Cut
Before making the cut, I take a moment to smell the cigar and prepare my senses for what’s to come. The aroma is very pleasant – sweet and floral, with a hint of earthiness.
I decide to open the cigar with a straight cutter. The draw is excellent. On the cold draw, I pick up notes of cedarwood and cocoa, along with a touch of saltiness that lingers on my lips, accompanied by a subtle peppery bite.
The Light
I thoroughly toast the foot with a jet flame lighter before lighting the cigar with a series of short, gentle puffs. I set it down for a moment to let it settle, then begin the tasting.
Right from the start, the cigar greets me with notes of wood, pepper, and cocoa. Earthiness already dominates the finish, accompanied by a touch of sweetness. As the smoke progresses, the flavor profile gradually mellows, becoming surprisingly creamy. The final third is marked by intense, earthy flavors.
Strength & Body
The cigar falls somewhere between medium and full in strength. The final third is decidedly full-strength, although I wonder whether the intensity had already started to pick up around the halfway mark.
Aroma & Smoke
The cigar produces a generous amount of smoke, with a pleasant aroma reminiscent of sweet coffee.
Construction & Burn
Unfortunately, the burn is uneven, and the cigar has a tendency to go out. I find myself reaching for my lighter throughout the entire smoking experience.
Final Thoughts on Partagás Maduro No. 3
I really enjoyed this cigar, despite its less-than-ideal burn. Fortunately, the draw remained excellent throughout the entire smoking experience.
The flavor profile offered pretty much everything I enjoy in a cigar. I particularly appreciated the transition from dry, earthy notes to a surprisingly creamy profile. It was a pleasant change of pace and a welcome break before the intense earthiness returned with a vengeance in the final third.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Partagás Maduro No. 3 and would happily revisit it. I’m still curious about what caused the uneven burn and the cigar’s tendency to go out. Perhaps I simply spent too much time talking. After all, I was smoking outdoors, where the wind can also play tricks on you. Either way, when it comes to flavor, this cigar certainly gets my recommendation.
I had the pleasure of reviewing this cigar thanks to the generosity of Paweł Załęcki from Old Havana in Katowice, to whom I’d like to extend my sincere thanks.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
