AshMap
Overview
The Partagás 1845 Gran Toro is a deliberate act of bridge-building — a cigar that reaches across the gulf between Old World heritage and New World craftsmanship, asking only to be judged on its own merits. Introduced in 2014 at General Cigar’s La Romana facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, this line was conceived as a tribute to the founding year of the Partagás brand in Cuba (1845). It is, in the most honest sense, an homage executed without mimicry: rather than striving to reproduce the character of a Cuban Partagás, the 1845 Gran Toro asserts its own identity through a distinctly Dominican architecture.
The construction is unassailable — a 6 x 54 Toro sheathed in a Dominican Corojo wrapper of Colorado shade, its complexion a medium-dark reddish-brown with a silky, lightly oily finish that speaks to careful fermentation. Beneath it lies a Dominican binder and a filler blend of Dominican long-leaf tobaccos layered with aged Nicaraguan and Honduran leaves, each component rested a minimum of three years prior to rolling. The result is a medium-full smoke (3/5 on the intensity scale) that arrives with the confidence of a blend that knows precisely what it wants to be.
The opening third introduces itself with dry cedar shavings and sweet cream — a clean, toasty prelude. Roasted almond and mild leather follow, while a gentle white pepper tingle on the retrohale signals that more is to come. By the second third, the profile deepens decisively: dark espresso and bittersweet cocoa powder take center stage, with dried fruit — raisin and faint dark cherry — threading through the earthiness. The pepper grows more assertive on the finish, joined by a subtle wood spice that adds complexity without aggression. The final third tightens in body, delivering sustained notes of dark roast coffee, rich leather, and toasted oak, with a molasses-like sweetness preventing the finish from turning harsh.
This is a cigar that rewards attention without demanding it. It occupies a rare middle ground — complex enough to engage the seasoned aficionado, yet approachable enough for a casual afternoon or early evening session. Its combustion is exemplary: an open, never-loose draw producing thick plumes of smoke; a burn line nearly razor-straight; a firm, salt-and-pepper ash that holds a full inch and a half before cleanly shedding. The Partagás 1845 Gran Toro is frequently underestimated precisely because it carries the Partagás name without the Cuban mystique or the boutique price tag. It is a workhorse blend that punches well above its MSRP — a refreshingly honest cigar in a market saturated with hype.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Dominican Corojo — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic long-leaf fillers, blended with aged Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening presents a clean, toasty introduction — dry cedar shavings and sweet cream anchor the palate immediately. Notes of roasted almond and mild leather emerge alongside a gentle white pepper tingle on the retrohale. The draw is generous and the smoke production full from the initial light.
Second Third
The blend deepens considerably in the middle third, with dark espresso and bittersweet cocoa powder asserting themselves prominently. Dried fruit — raisin and a faint dark cherry — weave through the earthiness, and the pepper presence becomes more pronounced on the finish. A subtle wood spice adds complexity without aggression.
Final Third
The final third tightens in body and delivers sustained notes of dark roast coffee, rich leather, and toasted oak. Earthiness dominates the background while a lingering sweetness — molasses-like — keeps the finish from turning harsh. The cigar finishes with cohesion and warmth, well above average for its price tier.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently reliable — the draw is open but not loose, producing thick, satisfying plumes of smoke. The burn line is nearly razor-straight with a firm, salt-and-pepper ash that holds one to one-and-a-half inches before shedding cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Dominican rum such as Barceló Imperial or Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva; alternatively a 10–12 year Speyside Scotch like Glenlivet 12 to complement the cigar's cereal sweetness
Wine
A Tempranillo-forward Rioja Reserva — the dark fruit and earthiness mirror the cigar's mid-palate — or a Malbec from Mendoza with sufficient tannin to anchor the cocoa notes
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or a cold brew concentrate; the roasted bitterness echoes the cigar's second-third profile perfectly without overwhelming the subtler cream and fruit notes
Who Should Smoke This?
This cigar is for the experienced smoker who values consistency and genuine complexity over novelty or extreme strength. It suits the aficionado seeking a reliable daily driver with enough depth to hold attention through a full 75–90 minute session. The medium-full profile makes it approachable for the ambitious enthusiast moving beyond milder offerings, though complete beginners may find its second-third intensity challenging. Best enjoyed during a relaxed afternoon or early evening — a cigar that rewards unhurried contemplation but never feels like homework.
Bottom Line
The Partagás 1845 Gran Toro is an exemplar of the modern Dominican tradition — honest construction, thoughtful blending, and a flavor profile that evolves without posturing. At its price point, it offers exceptional value for the smoker who values substance over pedigree.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Partagás 1845 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Partagás 1845 Gran Toro a strong cigar?
No, it is classified as medium-full (3/5 on the strength scale). It offers a satisfying weight and body without overwhelming the palate, making it suitable for experienced smokers and ambitious enthusiasts alike.
What does Partagás 1845 Gran Toro taste like?
The flavor profile evolves through three distinct movements: a first third of dry cedar, sweet cream, and roasted almond; a second third defined by dark espresso, bittersweet cocoa, raisin, and dark cherry; and a final third of dark roast coffee, rich leather, toasted oak, and a molasses-like sweetness. White pepper and subtle wood spice appear on the retrohale and finish.
How long does Partagás 1845 Gran Toro take to smoke?
Expect an unhurried 75 to 90 minutes. The 6 x 54 Toro vitola and generous draw produce a steady, satisfying burn that rewards a relaxed pace.
What is the best pairing for Partagás 1845 Gran Toro?
An aged Dominican rum such as Barceló Imperial or Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva complements the cigar's cereal sweetness. A 10–12 year Speyside Scotch like Glenlivet 12 works beautifully, as does a Tempranillo-forward Rioja Reserva or a Malbec from Mendoza. For non-alcoholic options, a double espresso or cold brew concentrate echoes the roasted bitterness of the second and final thirds without overwhelming the subtler cream and fruit notes.
Is Partagás 1845 Gran Toro good for beginners?
It is not recommended for absolute beginners. The medium-full strength and evolving complexity are better suited to smokers with some experience who are ready to explore beyond mild Connecticut-wrapped profiles. A novice may find the second-third intensity challenging.
Where can I buy Partagás 1845 Gran Toro?
As a General Cigar production, the Partagás 1845 Gran Toro is widely available through major online cigar retailers, brick-and-mortar tobacconists, and General Cigar's official website. It is a regular production, everyday-tier cigar, so availability is generally consistent.
What is the price of Partagás 1845 Gran Toro?
The retail price ranges from $12 to $16 per cigar, positioning it firmly in the everyday premium category. This represents strong value given the quality of construction and the complexity of the aged filler tobaccos.
Is Partagás 1845 Gran Toro worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling, the blend is well-balanced and approachable upon release. Additional aging of 1–3 years in a stable humidor may soften the pepper and integrate the fruit notes further, but the cigar does not require aging to shine. It performs admirably fresh.
What wrapper does Partagás 1845 Gran Toro use?
It uses a Dominican Corojo wrapper in a Colorado shade — a medium-dark, reddish-brown leaf with a silky, lightly oily surface. This wrapper contributes the cedar and cream notes in the first third and the toasted oak in the final third.
Where is Partagás 1845 Gran Toro made?
The cigar is hand-rolled at General Cigar's La Romana facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic. All components — wrapper, binder, and filler — are Dominican, with additional aged Nicaraguan and Honduran filler tobaccos integrated into the blend.