AshMap
Overview
The Partagás Lusitanias stands as one of the most revered vitolas in the Habanos portfolio, a Gran Corona measuring a commanding 7.625 inches with a 49-ring gauge that demands both time and reverence from the smoker. Rolled at the historic H. Upmann factory in Havana—and once crafted at the legendary Partagás factory on Industria Street—this cigar is a monument to the Cuban cigar-making tradition. Its Vuelta Abajo wrapper, a shade-grown Corojo-seed leaf finished in a medium-dark Colorado color, presents a silky, slightly oily surface with fine tooth, hinting at the complexity within. The binder and filler are entirely sourced from the Vuelta Abajo region, with the blend relying heavily on Seco and Ligero tobaccos that have been aged a minimum of two years before rolling. This meticulous preparation yields a full-strength smoke (4 out of 5) that is at once powerful and contemplative, a hallmark of the Partagás house style at its most noble scale.
The flavor journey of the Lusitanias unfolds over two hours with deliberate grace. The first third opens with a cold draw of raw cocoa, barnyard earthiness, and dried leather—classic Havana terroir that transitions seamlessly into rich espresso, dark roasted walnuts, and a cedar backbone, with mild black pepper on the retrohale. The middle third deepens considerably: dark stone fruit such as dried fig and prune emerge, layered over a creamy leather texture, while the Ligero spice builds to white pepper and clove, and the cocoa evolves into bittersweet dark chocolate. The final third concentrates all prior elements into a powerful yet cohesive finish—earthy tobacco intensity, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and a lingering mineral-spice note. A well-aged Lusitanias will reveal remarkable sweetness and honey in the final stretch, balancing its formidable strength.
Construction on modern examples is generally excellent, with an ideally resistant draw that remains cool and easy given the generous ring gauge. The ash is tight and silvery-white, holding past an inch before dropping cleanly. This is a cigar that rewards patience both in its creation and its consumption. The Lusitanias is not merely a large Cuban cigar; it is the most complete expression of the Partagás house style, a format that demands understanding and respect. Those who dismiss it as a big stick have never experienced a well-aged example—one from 2015 or earlier, bought without hesitation, reveals a depth of nuance that elevates it to the highest tier of prestige smokes. With a price range of $45 to $65 per cigar depending on market (LCDH, duty-free, or secondary), it is an investment in time and palate, a cigar for the aficionado who knows that Cuban tobacco at full strength can be complex, nuanced, and deeply contemplative.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Corojo-seed shade-grown — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — primarily Seco and Ligero leaves from Vuelta Abajo farms, aged a minimum of two years |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (La Corona), historically rolled at the Partagás factory on Industria Street |
| Vitola / Shape | Gran Corona |
| Size | 7.625 x 49 |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $45–$65 per cigar depending on market (LCDH, duty-free, or secondary) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years on leaf before rolling; benefits enormously from 3–8 years of post-production cellaring — widely consi |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with raw cocoa, barnyard earthiness, and a hint of dried leather — classic Havana terroir. Once lit, the first third delivers rich espresso, dark roasted nuts (walnut, hazelnut), and a woody cedar backbone with mild black pepper on the retrohale.
Second Third
Complexity deepens considerably in the middle stretch: dark stone fruit (dried fig, prune) emerges alongside a pronounced leathery creaminess. Spice from the Ligero filler builds — white pepper and a touch of clove — while the cocoa morphs into a genuine bittersweet dark chocolate register. The draw becomes particularly contemplative here.
Final Third
The final third concentrates all prior elements into a powerful but cohesive finish — earthy tobacco intensity, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and a long, lingering mineral-spice finish on the palate. A well-aged Lusitanias will show remarkable sweetness and honey notes here that balance the strength beautifully.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction on modern Lusitanias is generally excellent — the draw is ideally resistant with an easy, cool pull given the generous ring gauge relative to length. The long format produces a cool smoke that rarely overheats; ash is tight and silvery-white, holding well past an inch before dropping cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum — Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Zacapa 23 are textbook pairings; alternatively, a single malt Speyside Scotch (Glenfarclas 17 or Aberlour 18) mirrors the dried fruit and creamy malt perfectly
Wine
A mature Rioja Gran Reserva (Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay) or aged Ribera del Duero — the earthy Tempranillo tannins harmonize beautifully with Cuban earthiness and the cigar's leather backbone
Non-Alcoholic
Freshly pulled double espresso — ideally a Cuban-style café colado or a high-quality Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over to echo the cocoa and fruit notes; alternatively, aged Assam black tea with no additions
Who Should Smoke This?
The Partagás Lusitanias is not a cigar for the initiated beginner. It is for the experienced aficionado who understands that full-strength Cuban tobacco can be simultaneously powerful, complex, and contemplative. This cigar demands a 90-to-120-minute commitment—reserve it for a dedicated evening with no interruptions, perhaps a Sunday afternoon on a terrace or a celebratory occasion befitting its Havana heritage. Those who appreciate aged Cuban tobacco, deep earth and cocoa notes, and a slow, meditative smoking experience will find this vitola profoundly rewarding. It is a cigar that reveals its true character only to those who give it the time and attention it commands.
Bottom Line
The Partagás Lusitanias is the definitive expression of the Partagás house style at its most noble scale—a full-strength, two-hour journey that rewards patience and understanding. Buy a box from 2015 or earlier without hesitation, and experience why this vitola is revered among connoisseurs as one of the finest in the Habanos portfolio.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Partagás Lusitanias a strong cigar?
Yes, the Partagás Lusitanias is a full-strength cigar rated 4 out of 5. Its blend of primarily Seco and Ligero leaves from Vuelta Abajo, aged a minimum of two years, delivers a powerful yet balanced nicotine presence that builds through the smoke. This is not a cigar for those unaccustomed to full-bodied tobaccos.
What does Partagás Lusitanias taste like?
The flavor profile evolves significantly: the first third offers raw cocoa, barnyard earth, dried leather, rich espresso, dark roasted nuts, and cedar with mild black pepper. The second third deepens with dark stone fruit (dried fig, prune), creamy leather, white pepper, clove, and bittersweet dark chocolate. The final third concentrates into earthy tobacco, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and a lingering mineral-spice finish. Well-aged examples develop remarkable sweetness and honey notes.
How long does Partagás Lusitanias take to smoke?
The Partagás Lusitanias is a 90-to-120-minute commitment, owing to its 7.625-inch length and 49-ring gauge. It is a slow, deliberate smoke that rewards patience. Plan for a dedicated session with no interruptions.
What is the best pairing for Partagás Lusitanias?
Aged Cuban rum such as Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Zacapa 23 is a textbook spirit pairing. For Scotch, a Speyside single malt like Glenfarclas 17 or Aberlour 18 mirrors the dried fruit and creamy malt. A mature Rioja Gran Reserva or aged Ribera del Duero wine pairs beautifully. For non-alcoholic options, a Cuban-style café colado or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over, or aged Assam black tea, complement the cocoa and fruit notes.
Is Partagás Lusitanias good for beginners?
No, the Partagás Lusitanias is not recommended for beginners. Its full strength, complex flavor progression, and two-hour smoking time make it suitable for experienced aficionados who understand and appreciate aged Cuban tobacco. Beginners should start with milder, shorter vitolas.
Where can I buy Partagás Lusitanias?
Partagás Lusitanias can be purchased at La Casa del Habano (LCDH) retail locations worldwide, duty-free shops at airports, and from authorized Habanos S.A. distributors. Secondary market sources such as online cigar forums and trusted private collectors may also offer aged boxes. Always verify authenticity with Habanos S.A. seals.
What is the price of Partagás Lusitanias?
The price typically ranges from $45 to $65 per cigar, depending on the market (LCDH, duty-free, or secondary). Prices vary by region and availability, with aged boxes often commanding a premium.
Is Partagás Lusitanias worth aging?
Absolutely. The Lusitanias benefits enormously from 3 to 8 years of post-production cellaring. The tobacco is already aged a minimum of two years before rolling, but additional aging mellows the strength, integrates the flavors, and introduces remarkable sweetness and honey notes in the final third. A well-aged example from 2015 or earlier is considered a treasure.
What wrapper does Partagás Lusitanias use?
The wrapper is a Cuban Vuelta Abajo Corojo-seed shade-grown leaf finished in a Colorado color (medium-dark chestnut brown). It has a silky to slightly oily texture with fine tooth, typical of premium Havana wrappers.
Where is Partagás Lusitanias made?
The Partagás Lusitanias is made in Havana, Cuba, at the H. Upmann Factory (also known as La Corona). It was historically rolled at the original Partagás factory on Industria Street. All tobacco is sourced from the Vuelta Abajo region.