The Partagas Serie D No. 4. This is a Cuban cigar, which means it’s either legally obtainable or a forbidden fruit depending on where you live and what year it is. It’s one of the most popular Cuban cigars in the world — the kind that cigar shops display in glass cases like they’re museum pieces. It’s a Robusto with a reputation that precedes it. Does the legend match the reality?
First Third
The Serie D No. 4 opens with a bold, earthy intensity that’s distinctly Cuban — a flavor profile that’s immediately different from anything coming out of Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic. Notes of leather, earth, and a peppery spice hit you right away, with a woody backbone that gives structure. The draw is firm but good, and the burn is even. There’s a sweetness underneath the earth that’s hard to pin down — it’s not caramel, it’s not molasses, it’s something else entirely. It’s Cuban.
Second Third
The profile deepens and becomes more complex. The earthiness intensifies, the leather becomes more pronounced, and a coffee note joins the mix. The pepper moves from the tongue to the retrohale, which is where Cuban tobacco’s spice tends to live. The balance is remarkable — bold without being aggressive, complex without being confusing. The construction holds up well, with a solid ash and an even burn.
Final Third
The Serie D No. 4 builds to a powerful conclusion. The strength is full-bodied now — the kind of strength that sits in your chest and reminds you you’re smoking something serious. The earth and leather are dominant, the pepper returns with intensity, and the coffee note becomes espresso. The finish is long, bold, and unmistakably Cuban. It’s the kind of finish that makes you understand why people chase Cuban cigars.
The Verdict
The Partagas Serie D No. 4 is one of the best Cuban cigars available, and one of the few that genuinely lives up to its reputation. It’s bold, complex, perfectly constructed, and delivers a smoking experience that’s distinctly different from non-Cuban cigars. The earthiness and leather are signature Cuban flavors, and the Serie D No. 4 expresses them at their finest. If you can get your hands on one, smoke it.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
