Padron 2000 Natural 2020 (VRRW/R)

[Low]

Let me preface this by saying that I feel as though this particular cigar is the gold standard for new world robustos. When it comes to price, flavor, reliability, and most importantly, aging potential, very few cigars come close. Between 3 to 4 years of age, they become my second favorite cigar in the entire Padron line. My local shop hardly sells any, so it's like they're preaged just for me . About twice a month, I pop in and grab one while I wait for my current boxes to reach their full potential. They store at 70/70, so I chucked it into my dry box for five days, and she's ready. Punched, torched, paired with ice water. Soundtrack is Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo

Pre-light - I don't normally talk about pre-light at all, but these tend to have a spectacular aroma. The wrapper is a 50% dark chocolate, and off the foot is malted milk chocolate

First Third - Opening is pretty typical for a Nicaraguan puro with leather, wood, and pepper, fairly bold and spicy. Past the first quarter inch or so, these flavors settle down a bit. Molasses emerges, joined by either dried fig or raisin since these flavors are hard for me to differentiate in a cigar. Every now and then, the blend hits a perfect stride and I get what can only be described as a burned cotton candy flavor. Body is medium full 

Second Third - Leather, wood, less pepper than before (still kills through the nose), and sweetness continue. Chocolate enters the party, as well as roasted nuts, and a distinct saltiness on my lips. After a sip of water, the finish is pure chocolate and nuts. Burn line has been immaculate up until now, it goes a little bit wonky and that's easily remedied. Body is full now

Final Third - After a purge, the sweetness is now front and center. Same flavors as mentioned in the second third, but more intense. Molasses makes a roaring comeback, and is joined by dark roast coffee. Body at this point is full+. Thank God it's only for the last third, I'm not sure my tongue could take it for longer than that  

93/100 - This is a multiple box purchase cigar for me. With 3-4 years down they are all going to be 92-94 pointers, at 5-6 they're 94-95+. I don't have any experience after that, but I've heard stories of the 10 year old God level cigars, though those stories tend to be the maduro version. It's never going to win a beauty contest (wouldn't even get an honorable mention), but I could not care less when it serves up this much enjoyment. My singular gripe is that Padron tend to roll wind tunnels. I hardly use a punch, but I had to bust out the 7mm as it's basically the only way to have any sort of resistance. The bright side is that I don't think I've ever had a plugged Padron

[KCCubano]

Nice review. They do age well. I discovered by accident when I located a 10 yr old+ stick in bottom of singles drawer. Blew me away! I use a exacto knife to make a small x cut to counter the very loose draw

[chutiste]

Pretty sure that colour is the only difference between 'natural' and 'maduro' in the Padrón Series line of Nicaraguan puro. Same blend, same wrapper leaves, just sorted by shade to give the punter an apparent choice. Clever, really.

I have a bunch of the 2000 (5 x 50) and Delicias (4 7/8  x 46) resting quietly in the tupperdor.

[Low]

On 8/26/2023 at 7:23 AM, KCCubano said:

I use a exacto knife to make a small x cut to counter the very loose draw

I'm 100% using this method next time I smoke one, thanks for the tip

10 hours ago, chutiste said:

Pretty sure that colour is the only difference between 'natural' and 'maduro' in the Padrón Series line of Nicaraguan puro. Same blend, same wrapper leaves, just sorted by shade to give the punter an apparent choice. Clever, really.

I have a bunch of the 2000 (5 x 50) and Delicias (4 7/8  x 46) resting quietly in the tupperdor.

The only difference that I can tell is that there's slightly more pepper in the maduro version. That could just be my mind deciding that since some of those things can be almost black