The Partagas Culebras
Personally, one of my favorite things about cigar culture is not only smoking alone and relaxing, but enjoying them with friends. Smoking a Culebras with two buddies is a unique cigar experience that an aficionado shouldn’t miss! Many different brands- both Cuban and Non Cuban produce this novelty shape. But today, we are going to take a look at the Partagas Culebras.
The Culebra was actually invented in the Philippines during the late 1800s! The word “Culebras” translates to “snake”, which I don’t think any explanation is necessary. There are several different theories of the reason of origin of the Culebra vitola. Some people say that cigar makers were only allowed 3 cigars per day, so they started to twist 3 cigars into 1- so that they could take 9 home. Others say that factories only allowed rollers to take one Culebra home- in which the roller would have a tough time selling a twisted cigar on the black market. Other people say it’s purely a novelty.
The Partagas Culebra is made up of 3 panetelas with a 39 RG x 5&7/8 inches. The Panetelas are purposefully under-filled and twisted together sopping wet, so that the wrappers don’t crack during the process.
The Culebras surprisingly burn perfectly in the samples I have tried. The flavor is a classic Partagas profile in a small vitola. It is medium bodied. A straight forward profile of paprika, wood, and earth come through without much evolution throughout the length of the cigar.
The Partagas Culebras each come in a coffin. Boxes usually contain 3 coffins, for a total of 3 Culebras, or 9 Panetelas. One can expect to pay anywhere from 90-140 $ on the secondary market for a dress box of the coffins. This certainly doesn’t make the Culebras a budget smoke, but one that is definitely finely worth trying with friends.
The Culebra was actually invented in the Philippines during the late 1800s! The word “Culebras” translates to “snake”, which I don’t think any explanation is necessary. There are several different theories of the reason of origin of the Culebra vitola. Some people say that cigar makers were only allowed 3 cigars per day, so they started to twist 3 cigars into 1- so that they could take 9 home. Others say that factories only allowed rollers to take one Culebra home- in which the roller would have a tough time selling a twisted cigar on the black market. Other people say it’s purely a novelty.
The Partagas Culebra is made up of 3 panetelas with a 39 RG x 5&7/8 inches. The Panetelas are purposefully under-filled and twisted together sopping wet, so that the wrappers don’t crack during the process.
The Culebras surprisingly burn perfectly in the samples I have tried. The flavor is a classic Partagas profile in a small vitola. It is medium bodied. A straight forward profile of paprika, wood, and earth come through without much evolution throughout the length of the cigar.
The Partagas Culebras each come in a coffin. Boxes usually contain 3 coffins, for a total of 3 Culebras, or 9 Panetelas. One can expect to pay anywhere from 90-140 $ on the secondary market for a dress box of the coffins. This certainly doesn’t make the Culebras a budget smoke, but one that is definitely finely worth trying with friends.