Last week a fellow BOTL was kind enough to send me a three pieces sampler of the Padron Family reserve cigars. No 44 in maduro and No 45 and No46 in natural wrappers.
The first thought that came in my mind was a “vertical” tasting and review of all three.
Before we start I have to say that all three are great cigars, each in its own unique way, which is a great accomplishment considering they are just small changes in the blend that result in such big differences in the taste department.
APPEARENCE
No 44 This is a dark and beautiful torpedo.Firm to the touch with a silky smooth ,but by no means fragile , wrapper. Oily and well packed.
No 45 The cigar looks big. It is well made, the wrapper has this milk chocolate color. Very smooth to the touch with no apparent vains, a bit lumpy but without soft spots. What really caught my attention is the extreme box press of the cigar.
No 46 Once again a big cigar but the box press makes it very comfortable to the mouth. This cigar is also lumpy with very few oils and missing the tooth thats a “trademark” for padron cigars
FIRST THIRD
No 44 This cigar starts with a blast of black pepper and very strong leather and coffee tones. Pepper is almost too strong when blowing smoke through the nose.
The taste is very reminiscent to this of a fresh 1926 No 2. Strong but balanced, burns perfect and the ash is white and tight
No 45 First few puffs are wow strong!!Retrohaling brings tears to my eyes.Combining this to the very loose draw and I am getting ready for a kick in the a$$.
Burn is perfect-dead straight. Flavors are strong earth, coffee and despite its strength its not harsh and even has a sweet after taste.
At this point I have to say that the loose draw-strength combination is getting at me and thank God I have some sweet ice coffee to drink and it helps a lot.
Don't get me wrong ; this is a great cigar but i think it's too strong for the blend to shine.
No 46 Very good draw, sweet taste with strong spice through the nose.
Huge clouds of smoke fill the room. Great burn and a very long finish that leaves you asking for more. I also note some earth tones.
SECOND PART
No 44 Second part and coffee is on the scene. Pure taste of coffee beans with a mouth tingling after taste.The finish is long and pleasant, burn is dead on and draw remains fantastic.
No 45 Strong tobacco taste with some faint cocoa and leather are dominant in this second part.Burn is a bit wavy but I think that is due to me smoking with an open balcony door.
Getting closer to the last part of this cigar and strength is full but I think I am used to it by now and I am enjoying the Padron tremendously.
No 46 Into the second third and this is getting better and better.Smooth earth along with some sweet spice and a hint of bitter chocolate as an after taste.
Burn if perfect and so is draw.
Sense in the mouth is like having a great rich desert.
LAST PART
No 44 Coffee and leather are the stars in this part.Full bodied and rich flavor with great complexity.
Never got bitter, not even when I nubed it!
No 45 Strong pepper blast comes and coats the mouth rounding pure tobacco core.
No 46 Nothing changes in this last third. Just a bit more coffee and cocoa. Very rich in flavor and on the low side of full in strength. The RG is perfect for the blend, comforteble to the mouth and in the hand.
Big coffee explosion just before the end that lasted for ten puffs or so...
FINAL THOUGHTS
All the above were great cigars, each in its own way.Padron is a well respected company and even those who are not fond of their cigars can't argue about the quality.
The No 44 was a great cigar with strong flavors and great draw but it was very close to 1926 No2's. No 45 is a cigar you might want to let it in the humidor to rest for a year or so and maybe loose some of its edge since it was so strong that strength was the only thing left to remember in this illusive, in any other aspect, stick.
No 46 in my opinion was the cigar that had all the great elements from the previous two and add some. Big stick, comfortable, great taste and strength without been to dominating over the blend, great draw and complex.
All I can say is that all three cigars have great aging potentials for many many years in the future and I would love to be able to do the same vertical test in five years from now.
Another issue is the price of these sticks which is from $25-$35 each so by no means one could call them mid priced but if you lake smoking a very special cigar every once in a while they are worth every cent.
