AshMap
Overview
The Partagás 1845 Lonsdale represents a thoughtful recalibration of legacy — a cigar that honors the founding of the Partagás brand in Havana’s calle de los Oficios in 1845, yet speaks with a distinctly Dominican accent. Crafted at General Cigar’s La Romana factory complex in the Dominican Republic, this Lonsdale (6.5 x 42) is a deliberate departure from the robust, full-bodied profiles that often dominate the modern market. Instead, it offers a meditation on balance. The wrapper is a Dominican Habano Rosado in a warm Colorado shade — reddish-brown, silky, with a subtle tooth that suggests both elegance and texture. Beneath it lies a Dominican binder and a long-filler blend drawn entirely from aged tobaccos of the Cibao Valley. The result is a medium-bodied smoke (3/5) that prioritizes coherence over pyrotechnics. Launched in 2017 as an accessible tier within the storied Partagás lineage, the 1845 line was designed to bridge the gap between everyday affordability and the refined expectations of the discerning smoker. It does so with quiet authority. The flavor arc is masterfully paced: it opens with toasted almonds and creamy cedar, accented by a floral sweetness and a whisper of white pepper on the retrohale. The second third introduces dried apricot, leather, and a faint clay earthiness — complexity that builds without overwhelming. By the final third, notes of toasted oak, dark bread, and a grounding espresso emerge, finishing with light cocoa and dry wood. Throughout, the profile remains clean and controlled. The construction is reliable, with an open draw, a razor-even burn, and a firm salt-and-pepper ash that holds an inch or more. This is not a cigar that demands superlatives; it earns them through consistency. In an era when many smokes chase intensity for its own sake, the 1845 Lonsdale stands as a quiet argument for integrity: a genuinely coherent, well-integrated experience that rewards patience. It is approachable enough for a weekday evening — roughly 90 minutes — but refined enough to command your full attention. For those exploring Dominican puro-adjacent blends, it is the right entry point. For the seasoned aficionado, it is an honest daily companion that never reaches for a $30 price tag to justify its presence.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Dominican Habano Rosado — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican |
| Filler | Dominican long-filler blend, aged tobaccos from the Cibao Valley |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.5 x 42 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $10–$14 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of two years prior to rolling; box aging recommended 3–6 months |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening third greets with toasted almonds, creamy cedar, and a whisper of floral sweetness from the Habano Rosado wrapper. A mild white pepper tingle on the retrohale adds definition without aggression. The draw is smooth and the smoke production generous from the first light.
Second Third
Complexity builds here with dried apricot and leather emerging alongside a persistent nuttiness. A subtle earthiness — dry clay and light barnyard — begins to round out the profile. The creaminess from the first third transitions into a medium-bodied backbone with good but not overpowering strength.
Final Third
The final act brings toasted oak, dark bread, and a lingering espresso note that grounds the smoke. Spice tightens slightly on the retrohale, and the finish carries light cocoa and dry wood. The profile remains clean and controlled — never harsh — right down to the final inch.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is reliable across boxes — the draw is open with just the right resistance, and the burn line stays razor-even with only occasional minor touch-up needed. The ash is firm and salt-and-pepper, holding an inch or more with ease.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A moderately aged rum such as Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or a wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller Special Reserve — both complement the nutty, creamy sweetness without overpowering the medium profile.
Wine
A medium-bodied Rioja Reserva (Tempranillo-dominant) or a Côtes du Rhône with Grenache — the dried fruit and leather notes of the wine echo the cigar's mid-palate beautifully.
Non-Alcoholic
A well-pulled Colombian single-origin pour-over or a flat white — the coffee's natural nutty sweetness mirrors the almond and cedar notes in the first third.
Who Should Smoke This?
The Partagás 1845 Lonsdale is for the smoker who values poise over power. It will suit the experienced aficionado seeking a reliable, medium-bodied daily driver that doesn’t demand a post-smoke recalibration. Equally, it serves the curious intermediate smoker ready to graduate from one-dimensional blends into something with genuine, layered complexity — but without the punishing strength of a full-bodied toro. The 90-minute smoke time fits naturally into a relaxed weekend afternoon or a weekday evening unwind. It is also an ideal choice for the collector who appreciates an affordable, well-constructed cigar that rewards a few months of box-aging.
Bottom Line
The Partagás 1845 Lonsdale is an understated masterpiece — a medium-bodied Dominican that proves complexity need not come at the cost of approachability. It delivers a coherent, evolving profile, flawless construction, and a price that invites regular rotation. One of the most honest cigars in its tier.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Partagás 1845 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Partagás 1845 Lonsdale a strong cigar?
No. It is classified as medium strength (3/5). The profile delivers a clean, controlled nicotine presence that builds gradually but never overwhelms. It is not a powerhouse — it is a balanced, refined daily smoke.
What does Partagás 1845 Lonsdale taste like?
The flavor profile evolves through three distinct acts. First third: toasted almonds, creamy cedar, floral sweetness, and mild white pepper on the retrohale. Second third: dried apricot, leather, dry clay earthiness, and a persistent nuttiness. Final third: toasted oak, dark bread, espresso, light cocoa, and dry wood. The finish is clean and controlled.
How long does Partagás 1845 Lonsdale take to smoke?
Approximately 90 minutes. The 6.5 x 42 Lonsdale vitola offers a deliberate, unhurried smoke that fits comfortably into a weekday evening or a relaxed weekend afternoon session.
What is the best pairing for Partagás 1845 Lonsdale?
For spirits: a moderately aged rum like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or a wheated bourbon such as W.L. Weller Special Reserve. For wine: a medium-bodied Rioja Reserva (Tempranillo-dominant) or a Côtes du Rhône with Grenache. For non-alcoholic: a Colombian single-origin pour-over or a flat white — the coffee’s nutty sweetness mirrors the cigar’s first-third notes.
Is Partagás 1845 Lonsdale good for beginners?
Yes, with a note of caution. The medium body and approachable flavor profile make it suitable for an intermediate smoker ready for layered complexity. Beginners will find it accessible but should expect a 90-minute commitment and a non-sweet profile that rewards patience.
Where can I buy Partagás 1845 Lonsdale?
It is widely available at premium cigar retailers — both brick-and-mortar and online — that carry General Cigar products. Look for authorized dealers of the Partagás 1845 line. As with any purchase, we recommend buying from a trusted source to ensure proper storage and provenance.
What is the price of Partagás 1845 Lonsdale?
The price ranges from $10 to $14 per cigar, positioning it in the accessible everyday tier. It offers exceptional value for the quality of construction and complexity of the blend.
Is Partagás 1845 Lonsdale worth aging?
Yes. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of two years prior to rolling, but additional box aging of three to six months is recommended. This allows the flavors to further integrate and the profile to mellow slightly, enhancing the creamy and nutty notes without dulling the cigar’s essential character.
What wrapper does Partagás 1845 Lonsdale use?
It uses a Dominican Habano Rosado wrapper in the Colorado shade — a warm reddish-brown leaf that is silky to the touch with subtle tooth. This wrapper contributes floral sweetness and mild spice to the profile.
Where is Partagás 1845 Lonsdale made?
It is hand-rolled at General Cigar’s La Romana factory complex in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The 1845 line is part of the post-Cuban exile tradition, honoring the original Partagás brand founded by Don Jaime Partagás in Havana in 1845.