This is my first Padron that's been aged longer than 3 years. It's still amusing to me how they lose their "box press" over time. Without further ado, on with the review!
On lighting, I already get hints of chocolate and cedar. None of the Maduro punch is present anymore. This has "evolved" into a sweet, smooth cigar. I'd say that it's changed from a medium/full cigar to a mild/medium cigar. If it wasn't for that hint of sweetness, I'd swear it wasn't a maduro.
After the first inch, it mellowed out even more to a completely mild cigar. The main flavors are cedar, slight chocolate taste, and very (and I mean very) earthy. and the finish has a nice raisin-like sweetness. There's also a spice present in the finish (spice like herbs not like piquant). This is very smooth, produces plumes of smoke, and has a very creamy mouthfeel. The smoke feels like it coats the inside of mouth and leaves a lingering sensation after exhalation.
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At about the halfway mark, the strength picks up. The cigar has hints of leather now. The chocolate taste is still there, but it's more bittersweet now (think more of a dark chocolate). I'm really enjoying the finish. There's also still no piquancy to be seen in this smoke. I'm just wishing I had brewed some coffee to pair with this. This isn't a very complex smoke, but it's darn tasty. It's definitely a change of pace from the intensity of a fresh one.
Getting to the end now, and there's really not much more to say about this one. As I mentioned, it's not a complex smoke and there isn't all that much going on. What there is, though, is all good. :ccowboy:The biggest change at the end is the increase in leather and "darkness" of the chocolate. There's still a sweet taste and a smooth finish. With about 2 inches left, I start getting some mild piquancy (probably due to the heat). It doesn't linger, but being a fan of piquant smokes, this is a welcome flavor for me.
As a final word - For anyone who's ever been afraid to age Padrons - don't be. Unless, of course, you prefer them punchy and young. I'd also go so far as to say this cigar has passed its peak and am curious to see how they'd be at around 5 years. Seeing how mellow these have become, there's no where to go but "mellower." I don't see myself holding on to these for long anyway. :headroll:
