Best Partagas Cigar: A Brand Guide for Every Smoker

The best Partagas cigar depends on your experience level and what you want out of the smoke. The Serie D No. 4 is the brand’s iconic robusto and the single best starting point for anyone exploring the lineup. It has been the benchmark full-bodied Cuban robusto since 1972, priced at roughly $16 per cigar. If you want a longer, more intense experience, the Lusitanias is the connoisseur’s choice: a 7 5/8″ double corona that demands two hours and rewards every minute of your attention. And for newer smokers who find the Serie D intimidating, the Partagas Coronas offers a gentler introduction at around $10 per stick.

Partagas is Cuba’s answer to a simple question: what if a cigar brand cared more about flavor than being polite? Founded in 1845, it is one of the oldest continually produced cigar brands in the world, and its character has not softened with age. Here is the complete lineup, ranked.

A Brief History of Partagas

Jaime Partagas founded the brand in Havana in 1845, establishing the Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas on Industria 520, a factory that still operates today. He pioneered the use of Vuelta Abajo tobacco and introduced the tradition of hiring “lectores” to read aloud to rollers during their shifts.

Under Habanos S.A., Partagas has grown into one of Cuba’s top five marcas by global sales. The defining characteristic: boldness. Where Montecristo is balanced and Hoyo de Monterrey is gentle, Partagas leans into the earthier, spicier side of Cuban tobacco without apology.

The Complete Partagas Lineup, Ranked

#1 – Serie D No. 4: The One Everyone Should Try

The Partagas Serie D No. 4 (4 7/8″ x 50, Robusto) became the standard for Cuban robustos when it launched in 1972. Full-bodied from the first draw, it delivers dark earth, cracked pepper, tanned leather, and roasted coffee. The second third softens with dark cocoa and dried fruit before the final third cranks intensity back up.

At approximately $16 per cigar ($400 per box of 25), it is one of the best values in all of Cuban cigar production. For a detailed tasting breakdown, see our Partagas Serie D No. 4 review.

Best for: Everyone. If you smoke one Partagas, make it this one.

#2 – Lusitanias: The Connoisseur’s Double Corona

The Partagas Lusitanias (7 5/8″ x 49, Double Corona) is widely regarded as a top-five Cuban cigar ever produced. Two hours of smoking time lets the blend evolve magnificently: trademark Partagas earthiness building through espresso, aged leather, black cherry, and a mineral sweetness past the midpoint.

At roughly $22 per cigar ($550 per box of 25), it is a commitment. It also ages spectacularly; five years in a humidor transforms it from excellent to transcendent.

Best for: Experienced smokers with two hours to spare. A weekend cigar, not a Tuesday lunch break.

#3 – Serie E No. 2: The Modern Powerhouse

The Partagas Serie E No. 2 (5 1/2″ x 54, Robusto Extra) is the thickest regular-production Partagas. That 54 ring gauge produces dense, chewy smoke with dark chocolate, charred wood, and red pepper. Introduced in 2008, it quickly earned a following. At around $18 per cigar, smoking time runs 60 to 75 minutes.

Best for: Smokers who love the Serie D No. 4 but want something bigger and bolder.

#4 – Serie P No. 2: The Torpedo with Character

The Partagas Serie P No. 2 (6 1/8″ x 52, Torpedo) features a tapered head that concentrates smoke and amplifies pepper and spice in the first inch. Classic earth-and-leather foundation with black cherry, cedar, and mineral finish. Roughly $17 per cigar.

Best for: Smokers who enjoy the torpedo format and want Partagas intensity in a longer vitola.

#5 – Coronas: The Budget-Friendly Gateway

The Partagas Coronas (5 5/8″ x 42, Corona) is one of the most affordable ways to experience the brand. The thinner ring gauge shifts the wrapper-to-filler ratio, producing a slightly less intense smoke than the Serie D while still delivering unmistakable Partagas character: earth, spice, leather. It smokes in about 35 minutes and costs approximately $10 per cigar.

Best for: Beginners who want to try Partagas without the full-throttle intensity, or veteran smokers wanting a quicker Partagas fix.

#6 – Petit Corona: Quick Smoke, Full Flavor

The Partagas Petit Corona (5″ x 42, Petit Corona) packs a surprising amount of the brand’s personality into a 25-minute smoke. It is smaller and quicker than the Coronas but retains the earthy, peppery DNA. At around $8 per cigar, it is the most economical Partagas available and makes an excellent daily driver for fans of bold tobacco.

Best for: When you want Partagas flavor but only have 20-25 minutes.

#7 – Salomones (LCDH Exclusive): The Special Occasion Smoke

The Partagas Salomones (7 1/4″ x 57, Salomon) is a La Casa del Habano exclusive. The perfecto shape evolves dramatically over 90-plus minutes, opening gently and building to full intensity. Production is limited, so availability can be inconsistent.

Best for: Experienced smokers looking for something special. A celebration cigar.

The Partagas Flavor DNA

Every cigar in the Partagas lineup shares a common flavor foundation: rich earth, black pepper, and tanned leather. This comes from the specific blend of Vuelta Abajo ligero and seco leaves that the brand has used for decades. What changes between vitolas is the intensity and the secondary notes that emerge. Thicker ring gauges like the Serie E No. 2 emphasize dark chocolate and charred wood. Thinner formats like the Coronas let more wrapper influence through, adding a slight sweetness and cedar character.

The Debate: Is Partagas the Best Value in Cuban Cigars?

The Case for Yes

Compare the Partagas Serie D No. 4 at $16 per cigar against the Cohiba Robusto at $37. Both are 4 7/8″ x 50 robustos made from Vuelta Abajo tobacco. The Cohiba is smoother and more refined, but the Partagas delivers more raw flavor, more personality, and more character per dollar spent. When seasoned aficionados are buying cigars with their own money rather than showing off, Partagas boxes leave the shop at a steady clip. The brand offers full-bodied Cuban quality at prices that make regular smoking feasible.

The Case Against

Montecristo loyalists will argue that the Montecristo No. 4 at $14 is an even better value, and they have a point. Its medium body and universal appeal make it accessible to a wider audience, and Montecristo’s consistency across production runs is arguably tighter. There is also the matter of taste: not everyone wants a full-bodied punch in the face, and value is irrelevant if the flavor profile does not suit your palate.

Browse the full Partagas collection to find your ideal vitola.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Partagas a good Cuban cigar brand?

Partagas is one of the top five Cuban cigar brands by both sales volume and critical acclaim. Founded in 1845, it is among the oldest continuously produced cigar brands in the world. The brand consistently ranks among the best in blind tastings, and the Serie D No. 4 alone has appeared on virtually every “best Cuban cigars” list published in the last 30 years. It is particularly well-regarded among smokers who prefer full-bodied, intensely flavored cigars.

What strength is Partagas?

Partagas is a full-bodied brand, consistently among the strongest in Cuba’s regular production portfolio. Only Bolivar rivals it for sheer intensity. Within the Partagas range, strength varies somewhat by vitola: the Petit Corona and Coronas sit at medium-full, while the Lusitanias and Serie E No. 2 deliver full-bodied power. The Serie D No. 4 is solidly full-bodied and represents the brand’s core intensity level.

How much does a box of Partagas Serie D No. 4 cost?

A box of 25 Partagas Serie D No. 4 cigars typically costs between $380 and $420, depending on the retailer and regional pricing. That works out to roughly $15 to $17 per cigar, making it one of the most competitively priced premium Cuban robustos available. By comparison, a box of 25 Cohiba Robustos (same dimensions) runs $900 to $950, and a box of 25 Bolivar Royal Coronas costs approximately $380 to $400.