Padron 80th perfecto maduro is in my opinion one of the best cigars in the market right now, although they are not available all the time are a real treat if you can find them.
I have been keeping in my aging humidor some boxes of these dark beauties for special occasions cigars, since their price does not allow me to smoke them on an every day basis no matter how much I would love to.
The cigar i am going to review comes from the first release one year ago, so it has some aging on it!
Appearence
This is a fantastic cigar measuring 6 ¾ x 54 and has a box pressed perfecto shape that makes it even more appealing to the eye.
It feels very well constructed to the touch, without soft spots and the wrapper has a beautiful oily shine on it. It looks like it has some “bite” on it and it doesn't feel fragile to the touch.
Cut and cold draw
Cutting a perfecto can be done in two ways; some people like cutting it from both sides, hear and foot.
They say that by removing a small part of the foot helps the cigar to “open up” easier.
I decided to cut just the head off since I remember from the first time I smoked this cigar that “opening up” was not a problem!
Once cut the cold draw was easy, maybe it felt like a bit loose for such a big cigar.
Cold draw brought to my mouth taste of leather, coffee and very strong tobacco.
Very promising...
Light and first third
Lighting the cigar was very easy, although I took it slow toasting the foot first since I didn't want to heat it up too fast, risking a cracked wrapper.
Once lit the cigar started with a strong leather flavor, producing tons of smoke.
Very tasty, strong with a full body and divine taste.
The burn line is very fine and also even, so no need for touch ups!!
After in inch into the P80 the initial flavor has changed into a peppery coffee taste, strong but very balanced.
Padrons are known to make great cigars and P80 was made to celebrate the birth day of the patriarch of the family J. O. Padron so quality is superb!
The loose cold draw is now just perfect so no fear of over heating.
Second Third
More than thirty minutes after the first light and this perfect is burning perfect!!
loads of tasty smoke on the palette and in the air.
The cigar now gives off a creamy cocoa spicy taste that seams to never leave the palette. Fantastic!
Burn rate is medium but it feels like fast since I don't want to end this smoke.
Balance and consistency are the main features of this top end smoke. It has picked up in body but this is something expected from a Padron cigar.
Now black cherry taste is present along with a nutmeg hint on the after taste. Very complex smoke even for the most experienced smoker.
Third and last part
The 80th anniversary is a fabulous smoke and the same complex character keeps on going on this last third too.
Although it is only 1 ½ of an inch from the finish it hasn't got hot or harsh. This is a cigar you dont want to put down in the ashtray.
Close to the end and leather is back and strong but with loads of pepper.
It has been almost two hours and sadly I have to let it die in dignity.
Overall impressions
Padron 80th is a novelty smoke but that's not just it.
It is a prize! It is one of these little things that make an ordinary day special, let alone if this day is Christmas Eve. Then it's even better.
It might not be cheap($30 per stick) but it is one of these boxes worth having for special occasions.
Aging potentials are big, but Padrons use aged tobacco so smoking the cigar young is no problem.
I wonder how these cigars are going to taste like in two or three years and I know many of you have the same question.
