I stopped by an Exxon store to pick up some groceries on the way home. I noticed that they had a few cigars up for sale. One of them was a Partagas 1845 Black (tubo.) I immediately started salivating. Even though they were selling it for $14.00 (I generally try to keep cigar purchases under $5.00 a stick), I couldn't resist. I had to buy it. The last 1845 Black I bought was years ago. Way back then I remember that the cigar scared me. It was beautiful to look at and, although I assumed that it would be too strong, I tried it. Other than a Cuban Cohiba that a friend had given me, it was the tastiest cigar I ever had smoked. The Cameroon wrapper was the clincher. I know now that it is a difficult (and expensive) wrapper to work with, so most manufacturers avoid it.
I looked at the present cigar and, although I knew that Partagas no longer uses a Cameroon wrapper on this cigar, my curiosity got the best of me. Had I never smoked an 1845 before I would have liked this cigar. It was tasty and burned well, but I had smoked this one before and it was now a disappointment. A great many cigar manufacturers have, not only raised the price on their cigars, they have lowered the quality. I know that I must not be the only one who has noticed this trend. Speak up guys and let the venom flow. There is nothing I like to hear more than the vituperation of a p/o'd cigar smoker.
