About the Partagas 898 Varnished
Few cigars carry the weight of tradition quite like the Partagas 898 Varnished. The Partagas marque, founded in Havana in 1845, built its reputation on bold, earthy blends, and this Lonsdale is one of its most faithful expressions. The curious name comes from the way the cigars are arranged inside their cabinet: three stacked layers of eight, nine, and eight cigars. The “varnished” designation refers to the lacquered cabinet box in which it is presented, a finishing touch that has long marked this release apart from the slide-lid dress box version.
Flavor profile by thirds
The opening third leans on cedar and damp earth, with a gentle sweetness underneath and an early whisper of leather. As the smoke settles into its second third, the blend gathers force, layering in roasted coffee, toasted nuts, and the signature Partagas pepper that lovers of the brand chase. The final third grows richer still, drawing out cocoa and a charred, mineral depth, the spice and a faint acidity keeping everything in balance right to the band.
Pairings
- Aged Cuban or Nicaraguan rum, whose molasses sweetness softens the pepper
- A peaty single malt Scotch that mirrors the cigar’s smoky, earthy backbone
- Strong black espresso to echo the roasted coffee notes through the second half
Aging and storage
This is a cigar that rewards patience. Kept at roughly 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and around 18 degrees Celsius, the young, peppery edges mellow over a few years into something rounder and sweeter, with the cedar and cocoa coming forward. The varnished cabinet itself ages gracefully, and many collectors lay these down by the box rather than the single. A well seasoned humidor is essential for keeping the wrapper supple and the burn even.
Who it is for
The 898 Varnished suits the seasoned smoker who appreciates a classic, full-flavored Havana with room to develop in the hand. Its slender 43 ring gauge and generous length make it a slow, contemplative smoke best enjoyed after a meal or with an unhurried evening ahead. Newcomers may find its strength demanding, but anyone drawn to traditional Partagas character will feel right at home.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name 898 mean?
It describes how the cigars sit inside the cabinet: three layers holding eight, nine, and eight cigars, a packing style that gives this Lonsdale its distinctive name.
What is the difference between the varnished and dress box versions?
The varnished release comes in a lacquered cabinet, while the dress box version uses a traditional slide-lid box. Both hold the same blend, though many enthusiasts prize the varnished cabinet for aging.
How strong is the Partagas 898?
It is a full-flavored cigar with the brand’s trademark pepper, earth, and leather. Time in the humidor tempers that intensity and brings out its sweeter, more rounded side.
Explore more
Browse all Partagas cigars, see our Partagas price guide, or try the Partagas Serie P 2 and Partagas Serie D No. 4. Store yours in a seasoned humidor and see our guide on how long cigars last. Learn more from Wikipedia, the official Habanos S.A. site.
Roger Webb –
Absolutely love this Partagas 898 Varnished! Partagas continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with dark chocolate and nuts, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Harold Wells –
Very good cigar. The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished lives up to its reputation. Beautiful wrapper, good construction, and nice flavor development. Tasted spice and cedar with a smooth finish. Not the absolute best I’ve had, but definitely solid. Would buy again.
Joe Fisher –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of tobacco and earth. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Michael Anderson –
Absolutely love this Partagas 898 Varnished! Partagas continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with dark chocolate and nuts, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Jonathan Baker –
The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is a quality cigar. Nice balance of flavor and strength. I enjoyed the earth and leather notes throughout. Construction was very good with only one minor touch-up needed. Good cigar for experienced smokers.
Thomas Perry –
Top-tier quality from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of spice and cedar. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Carl Chapman –
Excellent cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished has a refined flavor profile – lots of coffee and wood. Draw was perfect and it burned for about 59 minutes. Only minor complaint is it’s slightly strong for my taste, but overall a great smoke.
Cynthia Bailey –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of tobacco and earth. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Nancy Martin –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of tobacco and earth. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Kevin Mitchell –
Solid cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished has nice flavors of pepper and cocoa and good construction. Enjoyed about 79 minutes of smooth smoking. Would recommend, especially for those new to Partagas.
Albert Ross –
Exceptional cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of earth and leather throughout the 65 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Victor Harper –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of tobacco and earth. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Nicholas Allen –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of coffee and wood. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Jeffrey Watson –
Great cigar! Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of coffee and wood throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
James Robinson –
A true masterpiece from Partagas. This Partagas 898 Varnished is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of spice and cedar, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Frances Hunt –
Exceptional cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of tobacco and earth throughout the 45 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Louis Webb –
Phenomenal smoke! Been enjoying Cuban cigars for years and this Partagas 898 Varnished is easily one of my favorites. Beautiful wrapper, flawless construction, and about 82 minutes of pure enjoyment. The flavor profile is incredible – dark chocolate and nuts. Will definitely order more!
Eugene Simpson –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of tobacco and earth. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Christine Hayes –
Absolutely love this Partagas 898 Varnished! Partagas continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with pepper and cocoa, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Jean Stone –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of pepper and cocoa. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Gerald Grant –
Great cigar! Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of earth and leather throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Steven Rivera –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of coffee and wood. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Brian Parker –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of tobacco and earth. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Charles Foster –
Excellent cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished has a refined flavor profile – lots of pepper and cocoa. Draw was perfect and it burned for about 61 minutes. Only minor complaint is it’s slightly strong for my taste, but overall a great smoke.
Ralph Morrison –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished delivered on flavor (spice and cedar) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
Anna Sanders –
Exceptional cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of earth and leather throughout the 74 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Lawrence Rose –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of tobacco and earth. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Timothy Kelly –
Incredible cigar! The Partagas 898 Varnished from Partagas is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of spice and cedar throughout the smoke. Lasted about 90 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Andrew Thompson –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of tobacco and earth. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Daniel Moore –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of coffee and wood. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Douglas Wells –
Exceptional cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of spice and cedar throughout the 76 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Philip Mason –
Great cigar! Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of earth and leather throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Tyler Hill –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of dark chocolate and nuts. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Albert Fisher –
Five stars all the way! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of tobacco and earth. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Gregory Murphy –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Partagas really knocked it out of the park with the Partagas 898 Varnished. Rich flavor profile featuring dark chocolate and nuts, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Lisa Walker –
Exceptional cigar from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of tobacco and earth throughout the 74 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Dorothy Hughes –
Decent cigar but not my favorite from Partagas. The Partagas 898 Varnished has good flavor – tobacco and earth – but didn’t wow me like other Cubans I’ve had. Construction was fine, burn was mostly even. It’s good, just not exceptional. Worth trying though.
Beverly Mason –
Great cigar! Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of tobacco and earth throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Willie Ford –
A true masterpiece from Partagas. This Partagas 898 Varnished is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of dark chocolate and nuts, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Rose Martinez –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of tobacco and earth. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Joshua Clark –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The Partagas Partagas 898 Varnished delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of earth and leather. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Debra Warren –
Absolutely love this Partagas 898 Varnished! Partagas continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with pepper and cocoa, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Howard Lynch –
Incredible cigar! The Partagas 898 Varnished from Partagas is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of coffee and wood throughout the smoke. Lasted about 89 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Jennifer Brown –
The Partagas 898 Varnished is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of tobacco and earth, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other Partagas offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.