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BoM Jan '11
Padron Family Reserve 1964 45th Anniversary
Amidst showing my visiting company around, and continuing renovations on the house, I haven't been left with much time to sit out on the deck to put fire to a cigar, or write a review as of late. Today I decided I've had enough and after returning from a sightseeing excursion in Niagara Falls with my Irish guest, I figured this would be as good a time as any to put fire to, and write a piece on, Cigar Aficionados #1 stick of 2009 - The Padron Family Reserve 45th Anniversary Maduro. Thanks goes out to Ron (Shuckins) for including this in last months chat contest winnings.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 6 x 52 Box Pressed Toro
Sitting in the afternoon sun examining this magnificent stick, it would be hard, even at a glance, for any smoker not to recognize this cigar as one in a class of its own. The wrapper is as close to flawless as I've ever seen, and I cannot find any imperfections even after having looked over it two or three times. The seams are tightly joined and almost invisible unless looked at closlely, as are the veins that run the length of the wrapper. The color is of a deep, rich chocolaty brown tone, displaying a sparkling oil sheen that proudly and elegantly pronounces itself as a maduro.
Pre-Light Draw: The cap comes off easily between the blades of my Palio, though at an angle following the seam. As I draw on the cigar, notes of cocoa, spice, and mild tobacco settle gently on to the palate. Taking in aromas from the foot, there also appears to be a presence of cocoa, though lighter than that from the draw, mixed with some spice.
Lighting: As expected, this padron lights easily and draws well from the start, displaying heavy notes of dark cocoa, and spice, in addition to sweet tobacco. The retro-hale is a pleasant but one-demensional aroma of light chocolate, while the fragences of the ambient burn are of a heavier cocoa and sweet tobacco. It is worth noting that my non-smoking guests who have joined me on the deck for some sun are giving compliments as to how wonderful and aromatic smoke plumes are.
First Third: Entering the first third, this cigar begins to impress immediately, delivering heavy plumes of smoke. Notes of cocoa continue to present themselves, though now deeper and smoother than on the light, while the spice has almost died away. Generous waves of sweet tobacco and hints of toasted nut also present themselves as passengers to the cocoa. The retro-hale generously shares fragrances with the flavors present on the draw. Plenty of sweet cocoa, and surprising but welcome floral notes greet the senses, while the ambient burn remains quite chocolately and sweet. This cigar does a fantastic job paying homage to the excellent construction of Padron cigars, holding the ash for two to two and a half inches before dropping, while maintaing a razor-sharp burn which I expect will continue for the remainder of the smoke.
Second Third: Transitioning from the first through to the second third, the draw remains generous and exceptionally smooth. The primary notes from the draw are amazingly consistent, still giving off abundant amounts of cocoa, sweet tobacco, hints of almond, in addition to an expresso-esque remnant that settles plesantly on the palate after expelling the draw. The retro-hale gives off an increasingly complex meld of fragrances, in addition to the deep, sweet cocoa and floral nuances present in the first third, while almond and coffee are now also detectable. The aromas from the ambient burn remain consistent, as well still bearing aromatic cocoa and floral notes. The ash continues to hold for two inches before dropping, while the burn remains exceptionally sharp, as expected.
Final Third: Coming into the final third, this cigar continues to pick up. The cocoa notes, still present, are not as light as in the first two thirds; the almond has become more pronounced, carrying with it a heavier sweetness, while a heavy spice has returned on the finish, adding more prominence to the aforementioned "expresso" as the draw is expelled. The retro-hale remains extraordinarily aromatic, delivering what would now be best described as sweet almond and expresso. The ash continues to hold extraordinarily well for an inch and a half to two inches, while the burn keeps at a knife's edge through to the nub consistently as it has for the entirety of the smoke.
Final thoughts: This is truly the most enjoyable cigar I have ever had the pleasure of smoking. With a wonderful plethora of flavors and fragrances from light to nub, the "cigar of the year" lives up to the hype and delivers unsurpassed consistency and a gratifiying experience to any seasoned smokers looking to broaden their horizions with a two-hour escape from the rigors of everyday life.
Cheers,
Shawn
Amidst showing my visiting company around, and continuing renovations on the house, I haven't been left with much time to sit out on the deck to put fire to a cigar, or write a review as of late. Today I decided I've had enough and after returning from a sightseeing excursion in Niagara Falls with my Irish guest, I figured this would be as good a time as any to put fire to, and write a piece on, Cigar Aficionados #1 stick of 2009 - The Padron Family Reserve 45th Anniversary Maduro. Thanks goes out to Ron (Shuckins) for including this in last months chat contest winnings.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 6 x 52 Box Pressed Toro
Sitting in the afternoon sun examining this magnificent stick, it would be hard, even at a glance, for any smoker not to recognize this cigar as one in a class of its own. The wrapper is as close to flawless as I've ever seen, and I cannot find any imperfections even after having looked over it two or three times. The seams are tightly joined and almost invisible unless looked at closlely, as are the veins that run the length of the wrapper. The color is of a deep, rich chocolaty brown tone, displaying a sparkling oil sheen that proudly and elegantly pronounces itself as a maduro.
Pre-Light Draw: The cap comes off easily between the blades of my Palio, though at an angle following the seam. As I draw on the cigar, notes of cocoa, spice, and mild tobacco settle gently on to the palate. Taking in aromas from the foot, there also appears to be a presence of cocoa, though lighter than that from the draw, mixed with some spice.
Lighting: As expected, this padron lights easily and draws well from the start, displaying heavy notes of dark cocoa, and spice, in addition to sweet tobacco. The retro-hale is a pleasant but one-demensional aroma of light chocolate, while the fragences of the ambient burn are of a heavier cocoa and sweet tobacco. It is worth noting that my non-smoking guests who have joined me on the deck for some sun are giving compliments as to how wonderful and aromatic smoke plumes are.
First Third: Entering the first third, this cigar begins to impress immediately, delivering heavy plumes of smoke. Notes of cocoa continue to present themselves, though now deeper and smoother than on the light, while the spice has almost died away. Generous waves of sweet tobacco and hints of toasted nut also present themselves as passengers to the cocoa. The retro-hale generously shares fragrances with the flavors present on the draw. Plenty of sweet cocoa, and surprising but welcome floral notes greet the senses, while the ambient burn remains quite chocolately and sweet. This cigar does a fantastic job paying homage to the excellent construction of Padron cigars, holding the ash for two to two and a half inches before dropping, while maintaing a razor-sharp burn which I expect will continue for the remainder of the smoke.
Second Third: Transitioning from the first through to the second third, the draw remains generous and exceptionally smooth. The primary notes from the draw are amazingly consistent, still giving off abundant amounts of cocoa, sweet tobacco, hints of almond, in addition to an expresso-esque remnant that settles plesantly on the palate after expelling the draw. The retro-hale gives off an increasingly complex meld of fragrances, in addition to the deep, sweet cocoa and floral nuances present in the first third, while almond and coffee are now also detectable. The aromas from the ambient burn remain consistent, as well still bearing aromatic cocoa and floral notes. The ash continues to hold for two inches before dropping, while the burn remains exceptionally sharp, as expected.
Final Third: Coming into the final third, this cigar continues to pick up. The cocoa notes, still present, are not as light as in the first two thirds; the almond has become more pronounced, carrying with it a heavier sweetness, while a heavy spice has returned on the finish, adding more prominence to the aforementioned "expresso" as the draw is expelled. The retro-hale remains extraordinarily aromatic, delivering what would now be best described as sweet almond and expresso. The ash continues to hold extraordinarily well for an inch and a half to two inches, while the burn keeps at a knife's edge through to the nub consistently as it has for the entirety of the smoke.
Final thoughts: This is truly the most enjoyable cigar I have ever had the pleasure of smoking. With a wonderful plethora of flavors and fragrances from light to nub, the "cigar of the year" lives up to the hype and delivers unsurpassed consistency and a gratifiying experience to any seasoned smokers looking to broaden their horizions with a two-hour escape from the rigors of everyday life.
Cheers,
Shawn
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