CaptainQuintero Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 My first NC (not including a gifted Chinchalero Perla-what a gift!). I had been reading comments about Padron for a while and after seeing a picture of their Anniversary Series I decided to pick one up, baring in mind I am still only a few years into Cuban cigars I thought that a little tangent into non-Cuban would help expand my cigar horizons. 5 1/2 x 50 £13.00 Box pressed, excellent construction, slightly open draw but not anything that would cause a bad draw. Cold- SPICE!!! I know non-Cubans are generally seen as 'spice bombs' especially the current trend, but the cold draw left a tingle on my tongue and a tickle in my nose. No strong flavours just a hint of roast tobacco. I settled myself down with a big iced coffee and my note book 1/3 Starting off medium full, lots of spice and burnt, roast chestnuts on the draw. A lot of smoke was coming from this which I know some people love. Pretty much what I would expect from a maduro cigar but a would say more spice than the Cohiba 5 range. Nothing particularly complex, from what I have read/been told, non-cubans are pretty one dimensional and not overly complex so I am expecting this falvour profile to continue. 2/3 The spice gradually lessened during the second third, still what I would expect from a maduro cigar; lots of dark, rich roasted tobacco and nothing too subtle. The flavours were coming in smooth and cool, no creamy texture to the smoke but still very smooth. I'm not sure why but I had expected leathery notes or at least that woody profile to come through but nothing made an appearence, however the dark roasted tobacco was still coming in strong and flavours of bonfire toffee kept creeping in. Final Third This is obviously where I must have been reading wrong. I was led to believe that non-Cubans were pretty one dimensional and compared to Cubans, showed little complexity. This cigar disproved this for me. The first two thirds were very nice, but showed only basic flavours; a very nice maduro but nothing to justify the price. This final third must have been down the gym, in the bar and in the back alley preparing to come out fighting. The roasted tobacco gave way to waves of rich, dark and strong expresso, the spice gently coming back and leaving with hints of cream on the tongue. The burn has been absolutely perfect all through this smoke, I'm not sure if being box pressed helps in this regard but it was Perfect with a capital P. Getting deeper into the last third a sharp tang drifted in, hinting at grapefruit but coming out as blood orange. I just wasn't sure what was coming next, then the gears changed again, smokey old leather rolled in followed by strong jasmine tea, all pf these changes riding in on the back of your typical maduro flavours, dark roasted tobacco, rich powerful smoke and that bitter sweet burnt profile that never once got even close to being harsh. Overall, this blew out of the water the information I had read about non-Cubans not being able to show complexity of flavours. The statement of them having stronger spice probably holds true/ Also comments about strength seem true, this cigar started off medium/full but halfway through was a definite full strength stick, easily stronger than a Parti 898 varnished. I honestly prefer medium and medium/mild cigars and if this wasn't a maduro then I would have taken marks off for the unnessessary strength. But as it was however a maduro, I don't think you can complain about strength, for me maduro is what you go for when you want a big hit; like choosing an expresso over an iced coffee. Honestly, even though the strength was by the end overpowering for me at this early point in my journey through the cigar world, I cannot fault the cigar for it. 93/100 Suprisingly one of the best cigars I have had, genuinely sits as an equal to the Cohiba Maduro 5 series for me. I think the strength worked well with the fact that the cigar is a maduro, anything else and perhaps it would have been overkill, which could be why non-maduro non-Cubans have a reputation for being all strength and little complexity. Something to experiment with perhaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Great stuff! I believe Padron are exempt from much of the criticism of Nc's. They are world leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmac77 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 very nice review and a good comparison the the Cohiba Maduro. Probably my favortie NC the Anni 1964 Principe is also very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CM125 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Great review the 64 and 26 series are the best NC cigars I have found. The pants new pattern nice. Curtis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
android Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Ever notice the dog has the same look as the wife...Pic 1 seriously...are you smoking again...Pic 2 I'm tired...Pic 3 are you done yet, I need some attention! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dicko Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 ive had a couple of 64's. expensive but worth the price every now and then. as you say, pretty complex cheers for the review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc8436 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Thanks for the review. I actually prefer the Natural wrapper and have a few Monarcas in the humidor. A very nice smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charltonc Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I would take a padron 1926 Maduro #6 over a Cohiba Maduro Genios any day of the week. I have never had a bad padron cigar. I pay 9-10 for this same cigar all day long in Florida so I smoke about 7 a week. If I buy a box they are 8 dollars a stick, I go through quite a bit of boxes of these every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plato Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 NCs I believe do not deserve criticism: Padron Aniv. Series Fuente Ashton Tatuaje & The LFD Litto Gomez Small Batch Series (#1, #2, or #3) And a whole bunch of others. I agree that Cubans have a finesse and grace of flavor that most NC don't have, but there are some great ones out there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I would take a padron 1926 Maduro #6 over a Cohiba Maduro Genios any day of the week. I have never had a bad padron cigar. I pay 9-10 for this same cigar all day long in Florida so I smoke about 7 a week. If I buy a box they are 8 dollars a stick, I go through quite a bit of boxes of these every year. My experience with Padrons lately has been much worse, I have to say. Almost every 1926 that I have had was way underfilled. Wind-tunnel draw burning way too hot and therefore turning harsh. I am totally turned off Padrons after the last two sampler boxes of 1926 (one Maduro and one Natural). Sitting on a box of 45th Anniversary that I don't dare to break into for fear of disappointment.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCgarman Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 My experience with Padrons lately has been much worse, I have to say. Almost every 1926 that I have had was way underfilled. Wind-tunnel draw burning way too hot and therefore turning harsh. I am totally turned off Padrons after the last two sampler boxes of 1926 (one Maduro and one Natural). Sitting on a box of 45th Anniversary that I don't dare to break into for fear of disappointment.... Lotus, send them to me and I will properly dispose of them for you...one at a time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainQuintero Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 Internet has returned to my household! Thanks for the kind comments all too! The dog just loves being outside, even in British summer weather (12 c ) I don't know who keeps who company sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thechenman Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Love me some Padrons...especially maduros from the 1926 Series. My favorite would have to be the No. 6 followed by the No. 2. Smoked one last night actually while watching The Long Kiss Goodnight. Damn fine smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamuraiJack Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 The 64's are one of the rare NC's that satisfy in similar ways to Habano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blrrobinson21 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Great review! These are my go to smoke right now. I usually get those expresso notes closer to the second third though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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