Cigar Review: Partagas Shorts

Don Jaime Partagas y Ravelo, like many Spaniards in the early 19th century, arrived in Cuba seeking a new life. Just 14 years old in 1831, he left his hometown of Arenys de Mar, near Barcelona, with ambitions to master the tobacco trade.

After working under industry pioneer Juan Conill y Pi, Jaime founded his own factory in 1845 – Real Fábricas de Tabaco Partagás, meaning Partagás Royal Tobacco Factory. The name “royal” likely highlighted his status as a supplier to European and Asian aristocracy. He went on to acquire prime plantations in Cuba’s renowned Vuelta Abajo region and revolutionised the industry by introducing cigar fermentation and ageing techniques. Jaime was also the first to have factory workers read to during production, a tradition that continues today.

The Partagas Shorts have been made since pre 1960s and remain a firm favourite today. They are an excellent Minuto cigar, allowing you to have a real Partagas experience, even when you are short of time.

About Partagas Shorts

Owner: Habanos S.A.
Factory: Habanos S.A.
Origin: Cuba
Wrapper: Cuban
Filler: Cuban
Strength: Medium to Full
Size: Minutos (4 3/8″ x 42)

Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop

The Beginning

From the very first puff, you’re met with a burst of spice accompanied by a subtle hint of cream. The spice adds a lively zing, making for an engaging experience that keeps you eager for what’s to come. A rich tobacco flavour provides a solid foundation for the other notes to develop. Towards the end of this third, a smooth more complex spice note emerges, balancing the spice and tobacco beautifully. Right from the start you feel this is a truly beautiful smoking journey.

The Middle

At this stage, the cigar truly smooths out, revealing a layered finish of dark chocolate, tobacco, and spice. The spice notes maintain the lively zip from the start, perfectly cutting through the rich tobacco and hint of vanilla flavours. The cigar offers impressive depth, with the dark chocolate adding complexity and keeping the experience intriguing.

The End

In the last part of the cigar, the flavours take on a bit of an edge, which could mellow with a few months of ageing. However, the slight bite remains well-balanced and doesn’t detract from the overall experience. The vanilla note lingers, albeit more subtly in the background, still contributing to the finish and adding complexity. Slowing your pace allows the cigar to develop a robust finish with a note of earthiness. This final third is bolder than the previous sections, adding a depth I truly appreciate. Many cigars tend to lose their balance at this stage, becoming harsh or one-dimensional, but the Partagas Short continues to evolve with unique, enjoyable flavours.

Burn & Draw

As anticipated from its firm construction, the draw is rather tight, yet it still delivers a satisfying amount of smoke. The burn is slow and self-correcting, with no need for touch-ups.

Overall

I really enjoy Half Coronas, as exceptional cigars in this vitola offer shorter smokes without compromising the depth and complexity found in larger formats like Coronas, Robustos, or Corona Gordas. The Partagas Short fits this profile perfectly, delivering a complex finish with notes of spice, earth, and dark chocolate with mild hints of vanilla cream. Furthermore, the flavours continue to evolve and transition right to the end. It performs beautifully when fresh and promises to improve even further with age. This cigar might be the best half Corona on the market.

Ross Rating: 9/10

What alcoholic drink would I pair the Partagas Shorts Cigar with?

The Partagas Shorts Cigar will pair fantastically with Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old Cuban Rum (70cl / 41.3%)

Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old is a particularly snazzy Cuban rum, made with 100% Cuban sugar cane. Bright and clean, but with plenty of complex and depth as it develops on the palate, with rich coffee and tobacco notes sitting alongside fruity cherry and floral wafts. Should do very well simply sipped neat, but we reckon it’ll also make for a great Palmetto or Rum Old Fashioned.

What soft drink would I pair the Partagas Shorts Cigar with?

A sprite for a hint of sweetness and to keep the palate fresh.

Would I smoke the Partagas Shorts Cigar again?

I could easily smoke this cigar on a daily basis but that would be spoiling myself, I come back to this cigar every year, and I’m blown away each time. I can’t wait for you to try one.