Partagás Serie P No. 2 Review

Overview

The Partagás Serie P No. 2 is a defining expression of Cuban cigar craftsmanship, a piramide that commands respect from the moment its tapered head meets the flame. Introduced in 2005 as part of the Serie P lineup, this torpedo vitola—measuring 6.13 inches with a 52-ring gauge—is hand-rolled at the storied Francisco Pérez Germán factory in Havana, the same hallowed building that once operated as the Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás. It is a shape that demands extraordinary skill from the torcedor: the entubado bunching method, in which filler leaves are rolled into individual tubes before being bound, ensures a controlled draw and even combustion despite the conical geometry. Every cigar in this line is a statement of intent, a full-bodied Cuban built from long filler aged a minimum of two years before rolling, with wrapper, binder, and filler all sourced exclusively from the Vuelta Abajo region—specifically the prized San Luis and San Juan y Martínez zones, whose rich, red-clay soils impart a character that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

The Serie P No. 2’s visual presence is immediately arresting. Its Colorado-hued wrapper—a medium-dark chestnut brown with a silken texture and a faint natural sheen—signals both maturity and breeding. The aroma of the unlit foot carries notes of barnyard, dried hay, and sweet tobacco, hinting at the complexity within. Once lit, the cigar delivers a concentrated burst of dark espresso, roasted cocoa, and aged cedar, anchored by the unmistakable loamy earth of Vuelta Abajo terroir. The retrohale introduces white pepper and a distinct mushroom earthiness, a nuance that seasoned Cuban smokers recognize as a signature of properly aged Habano leaf. As the burn progresses past the tapered first third and into the wider body of the cigar, the profile deepens: dark chocolate, leather, and a dried-fruit sweetness—prune and raisin—emerge, while the initial spice softens into a persistent red pepper and roasted-nut finish. The final third is a masterclass in sustained intensity, layering molasses, bitter espresso, and a rich floral note that signals the leaf’s maturity. The finish is long, warming, and thoroughly complex, with lingering dark chocolate and cedar that invite contemplation long after the ash is tapped.

What elevates the Partagás Serie P No. 2 within the pantheon of Cuban smokes is its uncompromising construction when sourced from an authorized or LCDH vendor. The piramide draws with a slight, measured resistance—a quality that rewards patience and deliberate smoking. The burn can occasionally wander in the first third as the taper heats, but it typically self-corrects, and the ash is firm and pale grey, holding one to one and a half inches. This is a cigar that benefits significantly from additional aging: three to five years in a stable humidor softens its youthful edge, allowing the floral and fruit notes to bloom while taming its full-bodied power into a more balanced, nuanced expression. In the landscape of Cuban piramides—a category that includes the Montecristo No. 2 and the Vegas Robaina Famosos—the Partagás Serie P No. 2 occupies a unique tier of complexity and intensity. It is less forgiving of poor storage than some of its peers, but for the collector and connoisseur willing to invest in proper cellaring, it rewards with a depth that sets it apart from the standard Robusto or Corona gorda production.