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Just got off work, so I’m settling in with a Partagas Decadas 2021 that’s been chilling in my humidor for the longest. I bought 2 of these cigars at a lounge, where I smoked the first one. But now it’s time to revisit it and write a review. Hopefully the Dominican toro is ready to help me unwind from the day’s hustle. This 6-inch, 52-ring-gauge cigar, crafted at General Cigar Dominicana with a Brazilian Cameroon Seed wrapper, U.S.A. Connecticut Habano binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, costs $17.99 a stick and promises a complex escape. I light it up, hoping its flavors bring the calm I need after a long shift, maybe even a touch of magic for the evening.

Let’s see if this smoke can make the night feel a little smoother.

The Roots

The Partagas Decadas 2021 comes from the Dominican Republic, rolled at General Cigar Dominicana, a factory steeped in the island’s rich tobacco tradition, where fertile soils and ideal climates nurture premium leaves. Its Brazilian Cameroon Seed wrapper, paired with a U.S.A. Connecticut Habano binder and fillers from Dominican Piloto and Nicaragua’s Estelí, Jalapa, and Ometepe regions, blends earthy depth with spicy zest, crafted for moments like this post-work ritual. Released in November 2021 as a limited edition, it carries Partagas’ legacy of bold, thoughtful smokes, perfect for a quiet evening.

While savoring this cigar, here’s a book to elevate the moment.

The Experience: From Start to Finish

First Look: Pre-Light Impressions

The cigar, a 6-inch, 52-ring-gauge toro, feels reassuring in my hand, like a warm blanket after a long day, its Brazilian Cameroon Seed wrapper a deep, coffee-brown with a slightly toothy texture and subtle veins. The construction’s solid, with a firm roll, clean cap, and tight seams, showing General Cigar Dominicana’s care, promising a premium smoke for my post-work ritual. The aroma blends raisins, brown sugar, and a hint of fresh-cut grass, while the cold draw, a touch tight but smooth, offers earthy notes, bittersweet chocolate, and a zesty white pepper, setting a hopeful tone.

After a long day, I light this cigar to see if it’s the reward I need.

Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey

The first third opens with a semi-sweet earthy core, like fresh soil after rain, paired with a sharp black pepper that wakes up the palate, while a subtle brown sugar note adds warmth, making this medium smoke a decent companion after work. The burn’s a bit wonky, needing a touch-up, and the draw’s tight, but the smoke’s dense, carrying a faint fish sauce saltiness that’s quirky but not bad. A hint of macadamia nuts rounds it out, keeping things interesting despite the uneven start, setting a reflective mood for the evening.

In the middle third, the earthiness softens, giving way to a bittersweet chocolate that’s kinda funky, like artificial candy, blended with roasted notes and a tangy lime zest, though the tight draw’s still a hassle, requiring extra puffs. The burn needs another touch-up, but the ash holds decently, and a white pepper note adds a crisp edge, shifting the medium body to a slightly fuller feel, keeping me engaged. After a long shift, this smoke’s quirks feel like a friend who’s trying hard but not quite nailing it.

The final third shifts to an acidic berry note, like red wine, with dry herbs and a chalky finish, while the earthy base lingers, wrapping up the 1.5-hour smoke with a liquid smoke aftertaste that’s bold but slightly disjointed, as the flavors don’t fully mesh. The burn stays uneven, needing one last touch-up, and the draw never fully loosens, but a mellow black pepper and raspberry hint add charm, making it a satisfying, if flawed, end. It’s not perfect, but it’s got heart, carrying me through this post-work unwind.

Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship

The Decadas 2021’s construction is mostly solid, its Brazilian Cameroon Seed wrapper rich and rustic, with a deep brown hue and tight seams that show General Cigar Dominicana’s skill. The cap’s clean, the weight balanced, and it feels premium in hand, promising a quality smoke for a night like this, even if it’s not flawless. It’s the kind of cigar you want to root for, imperfections and all, after a tiring day.

The burn’s uneven, requiring touch-ups, a bit frustrating for a $17.99 cigar, though the ash is decent, holding for an inch before flaking, and the smoke stays cool, delivering flavors despite the hiccups. The draw’s consistently tight, needing extra effort, which dulls the experience, but the dense smoke carries the complex profile well, keeping the 1.5-hour session engaging. It’s a cigar that tries hard but stumbles, yet still offers enough to make this evening worthwhile.

Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking

The Decadas 2021 starts with a rich, earthy base, like fresh soil, accented by black pepper and a sweet brown sugar note, creating a medium-bodied smoke that’s warm but disrupted by a quirky fish sauce saltiness, making it a bold opener for my evening. The dense smoke carries flavors well, despite the tight draw, with macadamia nuts and a hint of fresh-cut grass adding depth, though the pepper’s kick in the retrohale can be sharp, keeping things lively. It’s a complex start that feels like a mixed bag but keeps you curious.

Midway, bittersweet chocolate and roasted notes take over, blending with lime zest and white pepper, while the earthiness fades, creating a fuller body that’s engaging but disjointed, as the flavors shift abruptly, like a song changing tempo. The final third brings an acidic berry note, like red wine, with dry herbs, chalkiness, and a liquid smoke finish, while raspberry and kiwi in the retrohale add a fruity twist, making it a memorable, if uneven, smoke that’s still pretty chill for unwinding.

Strength & Body: The Power Within

The Decadas 2021’s medium strength delivers a gentle buzz, steady and approachable, ideal for a post-work unwind, with a slight ramp-up in the final third that adds depth without overwhelming, even with the peppery retrohale’s kick. The nicotine’s present but never heavy, making it a relaxing choice for a quiet evening. It’s the kind of strength that feels like a soft nudge, not a push, keeping you grounded.

The body’s medium, with creamy smoke carrying earthy, bittersweet chocolate, and berry notes, though the tight draw and uneven burn make it feel less cohesive, shifting from robust to slightly muddled by the chalky finish. The flavors are dense and engaging, with lime and raspberry adding brightness, but the disjointed profile keeps it from feeling fully balanced, yet it’s still satisfying for the 1.5-hour smoke. It’s a cigar with heart, even if it doesn’t always sing in tune, fitting for a night of decompression.

Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience

A matured rum complements the Decadas’ brown sugar and earthy notes, while a dark roast coffee tames the pepper, and a red wine echoes the berry finish. Pair it with dark chocolate to match the bittersweet chocolate or a seasoned steak to enhance the roastiness, adding depth to the experience. This cigar’s best for a late-night unwind, when you’re kicking back after a long day, savoring the 1.5 hours it takes to burn.

Value: Worth the Price?

At $17.99 a stick or $178.90 for a box of 10, the Decadas 2021 is a more premium pick, and while its complex flavors and solid build justify the cost, the uneven burn and tight draw make it a tough sell for daily smoking, especially for a limited edition. It’s a great single for special nights or adventurous smokers, but a box feels risky unless you’re sold on its quirky charm, like I was after work tonight. For the experience, it’s worth a try, but it’s not a steal, given the flaws.

Our Rating:

The Partagas Decadas 2021 earns a Pleasant, offering earthy, bittersweet chocolate, and berry notes in a medium smoke, but uneven burn and tight draw hold it back. At $17.99, it’s a solid treat for those chasing complex, if flawed, flavors. Best for seasoned smokers.

Final Thoughts

After 1.5 hours with the Partagas Decadas 2021, I’m left with a mix of admiration and mild frustration, like catching up with a friend who’s charming but a bit scattered. Its earthy depth, bittersweet chocolate, and red wine-like berry notes deliver a complex, medium-bodied smoke, but the uneven burn and tight draw, needing constant touch-ups, keep it from shining, though the raspberry finish is a nice touch. For $17.99, it’s a worthwhile treat, offering enough heart to make the evening feel special, even if it’s not perfect.

It’s a cigar with soul, quirks and all.

Own the Smoke: Make It Yours

The Partagas Decadas 2021 is ideal for seasoned smokers who enjoy a medium, complex cigar with earthy and spicy notes, though beginners might find its quirks and price daunting, best saved for special evenings. As a limited-edition release, it’s trickier to find. Light it up, take your time, and let its charm unfold.

-Keep it real, keep it bold, keep it you.

-Catch you on the next one.