The Partagas Linea Maestra, a new line of "ultra-premium" cigars from Habanos S.A., featuring single-origin tobacco.
Hello dear reader,
As I momentarily intrude upon the hustle and bustle of your day, it brings me great pleasure to offer you the latest from the world of fine cigars. I am particularly thrilled to reveal that the Partagas Linea Maestra has begun making its appearance in select specialty cigar shops across the globe. In light of this exciting development, it seemed only fitting to delve a bit deeper and share some insightful details about these fabulous new releases.
Making its grand entrance on the world stage at the XXIII Festival del Habano, the Línea Maestra unfurls as a triad of new "ultra-premium" vitolas. Each one having the singular distinction of utilizing single-origin tobacco sourced exclusively from the San Luís region of Pinar del Río, the heart of Cuba’s renowned tobacco cultivation. This line is designed to honor the distinct origin, the deep-seated learning and tradition that elevate a Habano to a sacred rite, and the maestro—the master craftsman—whose skilled hands are essential in sculpting these masterpieces for the aficionados of Habanos.
I must confess, the term “ultra premium” has never quite resonated with me—I wasn't aware that "premium" could be stratified further. In my mind, you're either premium or you're not. Yet, it appears Habanos S.A. is embracing this descriptor for their more distinguished releases. Consequently, it seems we're likely to encounter it with increasing frequency. I anticipate that every brand might soon incorporate this type of luxurious designation in their vitolario, reflecting a new echelon of exclusivity.
The Gala event was meticulously selected to celebrate the Partagás brand through the unveiling of the Línea Maestra comprising three new vitolas: Origen (46 ring gauge x 154 mm length), Rito (52 ring gauge x 168 mm length), and Maestro (56 ring gauge x 132 mm length). Each vitola is destined to make its market debut encased in a special box, thoughtfully designed to house 20 habanos, presenting a lavish package for the discerning collector and aficionado.
For the first time in the history of the Partagás brand and the expansive Habanos, S.A. portfolio, the vitolas of this new Partagás line will be crafted exclusively from 100% tobacco grown in San Luis, nestled within the renowned Vuelta Abajo plantations of the Pinar del Río region. That means filler, binder and wrapper will be grown in the same place which means this line is a DOP on its own. This choice imparts a special aromatic complexity to the cigars, enriching them with distinctive layers of flavor while preserving the unique character that aficionados have come to associate with the Partagás brand.
The trend of "ultra-premium" line extensions is becoming increasingly prevalent among Cuba's major cigar brands. In 2010, Habanos unveiled the Behike BHK series, positioning it as a higher-tier product within the Cohiba family. This series is distinguished by its use of medio tiempo leaves —a potent leaf found only at the apex of select plants. Following this, in 2018, Habanos introduced the Montecristo Línea 1935, marketing it as not only more full-bodied but also "the most premium" within its range. Continuing this pattern, the Romeo Línea de Oro was announced at the 2020 Habanos Festival, further illustrating this escalating emphasis on luxury within the Habanos portfolio.
After sampling each of these special releases, I can honestly say they are absolutely gorgeous and unequivocally merit a place on your list of cigars to try. Their remarkable quality and unique profiles offer a smoking experience that is not to be missed.
