PartagáS Serie D No. 4 — Heritage & History

The Partagás story begins not with a founder's name, but with a factory's roar. Founded in 1845 by Don Jaime Partagás, the brand’s original *Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás* on Industria Street in Havana was a pioneer of the modern factory system, employing hundreds of *torcedores* in a single, cavernous space. The brand’s reputation was forged on full-bodied blends, a character that remains its signature. While the original factory building still stands, the production of the modern portfolio, including the iconic Serie D No. 4, has shifted to the nearby La Corona factory (Fábrica de Tabacos La Corona), a facility that now operates under the Habanos S.A. umbrella. This move, while significant, has not diluted the house style. The Serie D No. 4, introduced in 2000, was a landmark release—a *robusto* with a ring gauge (50) that was then considered substantial for a Cuban marca, and it immediately set a new benchmark for the format. Alongside the torpedo-shaped Serie P No. 2, the D No. 4 anchors a lineup that has defined modern Cuban strength and power.

Blending Philosophy

Partagás’s blending approach is defined by a deliberate use of *ligero* tobacco to create a signature intensity, a stark contrast to the more balanced, medium-bodied profiles of brands like H. Upmann. The objective is not subtlety but power and depth. The brand’s core lines, such as the full-bodied Serie D No. 4 and the formidable Lusitanias, are built on a structure of dark, sun-grown Criollo and Habano wrappers from the Vuelta Abajo zone, specifically from the San Luis and San Juan y Martínez regions. This is paired with a filler blend heavy on *ligero* leaves, which are aged longer to tame their strength while preserving their robust character. The construction is famously firm, a necessity for a cigar with such a dense leaf load, ensuring a slow, even burn that allows the intense flavors to develop without becoming harsh. This is a recipe for aficionados who seek a powerful, uncompromising smoke.

Flavor Profile

The Partagás flavor profile is a masterclass in savory intensity. The signature across the range, from the Petit Robusto Shorts to the Gran Corona Lusitanias, is a deep, earthy base layered with notes of damp leather and a distinct white pepper spice that announces itself on the retrohale. The dark, silky wrappers contribute a pronounced dark cocoa bitterness that is never sweet, often accompanied by a subtle note of dried fruit, like raisin or prune, that emerges in the final third. The Serie D No. 4 is the archetype, delivering a powerful wave of black pepper and cedar that transitions into a rich, mineral-laden earth. The larger-ring gauges, like the Serie D No. 5 and No. 6, tend to amplify the creamy, cocoa elements, while the longer formats, such as the Lusitanias, offer a more measured evolution of these core flavors, allowing for greater nuance and a softer, more cedary finish.

Best for Beginners

For a newcomer to the brand, the Mille Fleurs is the most accessible entry point. While still medium-full in strength, its smaller ring gauge and shorter length temper the overwhelming power found in the larger Serie D vitolas. Expect a more approachable introduction to the Partagás house style, with flavors of cedar, mild leather, and a gentle hint of that signature white pepper, rather than the full-bodied assault of the D No. 4. It offers a satisfying 45-minute smoke that serves as a perfect primer for the brand's more robust offerings.

PartagáS Serie D No. 4 Cigar Lineup

Explore 12 PartagáS Serie D No. 4 cigars in the AshMap encyclopedia:

  • 8-9-8 — Robusto, Full · $25–$35 per cigar (LCDH or authorized retailer); significantly higher on secondary/grey markets
  • Gran Reserva Robusto — Robusto, Full · $25–$35 per cigar (LCDH and authorized retailers); black-market or gray-market prices vary widely
  • Lusitanias — Gran Corona, Full · $45–$60 per cigar (LCDH or authorized reseller outside Cuba); approximately $25–$35 CUC in Cuba
  • Mille Fleurs — Robusto, Medium-Full · $25–$35 per cigar (varies significantly by market; LCDH and non-Cuban market pricing diverges)
  • Presidentes — Robusto, Full · $28–$38 per cigar (Single LCDH or authorized retailer pricing; box of 25 EMS retail typically $650–$900 USD depending on
  • Serie C No. 3 — Robusto, Full · $28–$40 per cigar (depending on market and duty)
  • Serie D No. 4 — Robusto, Full · $35–$50 per cigar (LCDH / authorized retailers); varies significantly by market and duty
  • Serie D No. 5 — Robusto, Full · $25–$45 per cigar depending on market (LCDH, gray market, or European retail)
  • Serie D No. 6 — Robusto, Full · $25–$35 per cigar (official LCDH / authorized retailer pricing varies by market)
  • Serie E No. 2 — Torpedo (Pirámide), Full · $25–$40 per cigar (LCDH and international retail; price varies by market and duty)
  • Serie P No. 2 — Torpedo (Piramide), Full · $25–$35 per cigar (LCDH and authorized retailers; varies significantly by market and duty)
  • Shorts — Petit Robusto, Full · $18–$24 per cigar depending on market and duty region

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are PartagáS Serie D No. 4 cigars made?

While the brand was founded at the historic Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Havana, the Serie D No. 4 is currently produced at the La Corona factory (Fábrica de Tabacos La Corona) in Havana, Cuba, under the management of Habanos S.A.

What is PartagáS Serie D No. 4 known for?

The Serie D No. 4 is known for setting the modern benchmark for the Cuban Robusto format upon its release in 2000. It is celebrated as the definitive expression of a full-bodied Cuban cigar, delivering a powerful, consistent smoke that has become a reference point for strength and intensity within the Habanos portfolio.

Are PartagáS Serie D No. 4 cigars strong?

Yes. The Serie D No. 4 is classified as a Full-strength cigar. This is a result of its blend, which is heavy on ligero tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, delivering a significant nicotine kick and a powerful flavor profile that is not recommended for novice smokers.

What is the best PartagáS Serie D No. 4 cigar for beginners?

The Mille Fleurs is the best choice for a beginner. Its smaller format and medium-full strength provide a more manageable introduction to the Partagás house style, allowing a new smoker to acclimate to the brand's characteristic earth and pepper notes without being overwhelmed by the intensity of a full-bodied vitola like the Serie D No. 4.

How much do PartagáS Serie D No. 4 cigars cost?

The Serie D No. 4 is a premium cigar, typically retailing for $35–$50 per cigar at official LCDH (La Casa del Habano) outlets and authorized retailers. Prices can vary significantly depending on the local market and applicable duties, and can be considerably higher on the secondary or grey market.

What wrapper does PartagáS Serie D No. 4 use?

The Serie D No. 4 uses a dark, silky Cuban Habano wrapper grown in the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río, Cuba. This sun-grown leaf is a key contributor to the cigar's dark cocoa and pepper notes, and is complemented by a binder and filler blend that also draws on Volado, Seco, and Ligero leaves from the same prime growing zone.

Are PartagáS Serie D No. 4 cigars Cuban?

Yes, they are. The Partagás brand is a Cuban marque, and the Serie D No. 4 is a Habanos product. While the original Partagás factory now operates under a different name, the cigars are still rolled in Havana, Cuba, at the La Corona factory, using tobacco exclusively sourced from the Vuelta Abajo region.

Where can I buy PartagáS Serie D No. 4 cigars?

The only guaranteed way to purchase authentic Partagás Serie D No. 4 cigars is through official Habanos S.A. distributors, which include La Casa del Habano (LCDH) franchise stores and other authorized retailers. Be wary of grey market sources, as authenticity and storage conditions cannot be verified, and prices are often inflated.