Just a PSA for Padilla fans.

[Kantucky]

Short backstory:

After being out of the hobby for a couple of years, I got back in a few months ago when I joined here. Anyway, my wife bought a humi for me for Christmas and I was talking to a rep at one of the big catalog companies. He remembered me as I was on autoship for Padilla '68's for a couple of years. Long story short, he tells me that the blend is alive and well and being made at the same factory under the name El Mejor. A la el mejor espresso which I never cared for. He sent me several to try out with an order I placed of other things.

After resting it for a couple of weeks, I'm 100% sure I believe his story now as the el mejor has that instantly recognizable profile that I smoked for a few years. Just passing this along if there are other brothers that were fans of that particular brand.

As a recovering Padilla whore, I'm now on the search to know if the dominus exists elsewhere. I was searching for the 32 but just saw that it's recently re-released and manufactured by Olivia. Not the same of course but I will be taste testing.

I know not too many on here would have been big fans of the 68 but I always thought it was a great value and a flavor profile I couldn't find anywhere else. If anyone happens to still have a 68 robusto laying around I'd be glad to send you one to review side by side for all interested.

 

[Hoshneer]

I was a big 68 fan but El Mejor? I thought this was a Cigars International brand. So is it the espresso that is supposed to be the 68 or is there another specific one? I gotta say I'm skeptical but I will give it a try just for the hell of it when I get a chance.

 

[thejavaman]

I was a big 68 fan but El Mejor? I thought this was a Cigars International brand. So is it the espresso that is supposed to be the 68 or is there another specific one? I gotta say I'm skeptical but I will give it a try just for the hell of it when I get a chance.

My thoughts exactly. The Padilla '68 Robusto was the first full box of cigars I ever bought. Even years later after my tastes had changed, I still really liked them. I'm with Rex in thinking the El Mejor is/was a cheap CI bundle brand that had nothing in common with the '68 flavor profile at all. The El Mejor Espresso has a jet black Mexican wrapper & the Padilla '68 had a much lighter Corojo wrapper (it looks like the "regular" El Mejor has a Corojo wrapper though too), so I'm definitely skeptical as well. Might have to at least try one though to see if they're comparable at all.

 

[Kantucky]

I was skeptical too. But I am a believer now. Shoot me your addresses and I'll send one your way to try before you make any purchase on it.

Hosh, if you look in their magazine there is the el mejor espresso and then just the el mejor. The regular is the corojo and you'll notice it's pretty much the same price point and box shape as well.

 

[thejavaman]

I was skeptical too. But I am a believer now. Shoot me your addresses and I'll send one your way to try before you make any purchase on it.

Hosh, if you look in their magazine there is the el mejor espresso and then just the el mejor. The regular is the corojo and you'll notice it's pretty much the same price point and box shape as well.

So it's the regular El Mejor that is supposedly the same blend as the Padilla Series 68? Not the El Mejor Espresso? Gonna send you a PM.

 

[Hoshneer]

Hmm.... I'll bite.

 

[Cigary43]

mmmmmmm.......gonna have to explore this story as I have smoked a ton of the Padillas....the 68 and 32's were my favorites. Will order a 5 pak to see for myself....I'll know after the first 1/3 of the El Mejor whether it's the real thing or not.

 

[thejavaman]

Sticks from David showed up today. Thanks for the bodyguards as well. Gonna give one of the El Mejor's a try in a few days.

 

[Hoshneer]

Got my end of the trade today, thanks David. I will give it a try soon bro. I will have your end out next week.

 

[Kantucky]

No worries guys- let me know what you think of them

 

[whodeeni]

Can't wait to hear. Bob gave me a 1968 in my rookie trade here.

 

[Kantucky]

I went through several boxes of the robusto 68, and IMO this is the same stick. As I've already stated, even the box itself and the price are the same. Regardless of what these guys say I'm already a believer.

But I'm interested to hear their input.

 

[Kantucky]

Oh guys I forgot to add that I compared with the robusto as I don't even think they rolled a figurado 68. I haven't had that one yet but I threw one in for y'all just because.

 

[thejavaman]

I went through several boxes of the robusto 68, and IMO this is the same stick. As I've already stated, even the box itself and the price are the same. Regardless of what these guys say I'm already a believer.

But I'm interested to hear their input.

I burned the El Mejor Robusto this afternoon & I have to say there are quite a few uncanny similarities between it & the Padilla 68. The unique spice that was very unique to the 68 & that's hard to put your finger on (as far as a flavor descriptor) is there from the get-go & increases in intensity as the cigar progresses (just like I remembered the 68 to do as well). The woody/leathery undertones are there as well. While I can't say with 100% certainty that it's the EXACT same blend/cigar as the discontinued Padilla 68 (who can, really?), I will say that I definitely enjoyed the cigar & it without a doubt reminded me of the Padilla 68 that holds a special place to me as it was the first full box of cigars I ever bought. At $40-$50/box, I just might have to pick up a box of these El Mejor's as I'm quite interested to see how they age as well. Thanks again, David for sending me the stick(s) to try.

 

[Hoshneer]

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Thanks for the trade!

 

[Heath]

I know this is off topic but Kantucky how do you like those Cubao's? I just picked up a 5er but have never had one before. Kinda curious of what other think of them.

 

[Kantucky]

I've only had a few of them, and that was a couple of years ago. Just picked some up recently as well. I remember liking them but couldn't give you much detail.

 

[Heath]

Ok cool thanks anyway.

 

[Hoshneer]

Holy shit.... Looks like it actually got delivered. Who would of thought someone a days drive away would have to wait so long for priority mail.

 

[Kantucky]

They did arrive. Great selection, couple of favorites and can't wait to try a tesa. I'm going to defrost them in the microwave for a while. Ten minutes should be enough for the trip they've had. Thanks again.

Btw, smoked the el mejor yet? Thoughts?