Perhaps one of the most talked about releases at IPCPR was the Padron 50th Anniversary which will be presented in a gorgeous humidor and released in early December. However, the 50 Years Family Reserve by Padron has hit the shelves, perhaps earlier then expected. Site sponsor Two Guys Smoke Shop, received their order today.
In honor of Jose Padron opening his first shop 50 years ago today on September 8th, 1964 in Little Havana a section of Miami, Florida we light up the cigar that celebrate that specific event.
Cigar: Padron Family Reserve
Size: 50 Years (No. 50 / 5 x 54)
Wrapper: Natural
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
The Look: The box press that serves as a benchmark for all box pressed cigars, the Padron Family Reserve 50 Years features a Natural wrapper win an infrastructure of tiny veins in a perfectly pressed cigar. The primary band denoting the Family Reserve with a secondary band stating 50 Years is quintessential Padron. In the hand the cigar has a nice weight to it, no soft spots and an asymmetrical swirl of darker tobacco on the foot.
The Notes: The nose of the cigar serves up some cedar with a touch of sweetness, while the cold draw of the cigar had some earth and honey. Spending less time than normal on the pre-light cold draw riual out of eagerness, I toast the foot and take the first few pulls of the Padron 50 Years Natural which reveals some red pepper and earth. As we smoke past the first half-inch into the first third of the cigar the balance that makes Padron special begins to stand out. Cedar becomes the dominant note with a sweetness begins to form in the background. The red pepper notes tone down and the earth melds into the overall taste of the cigar providing a masterpiece of complexity.
In the second third of the Padron Family Reserve 50 Years a note that reminds me of banana bread with walnuts develops over a base notes of cedar. As we transition past the half way point, the banana bread begins to fade away and a black cherry like sweetness begins to form as we enter into the last third of the cigar.
In the final third of the 50 Years the aroma reminds me of fresh popped popcorn as the cigar takes on a wonderful coffee note with a slight mocha finish and a touch of the red pepper that was present in the first third and we smoked the cigar down til it couldn’t be smoked any more.
The Burn: Despite the picture below the cigar burned exceptionally well with a razor-sharp burn line. Taking the cigar outside on a very windy New Hampshire day for pictures caused the cigar to burn slightly off-center. The cigar burned from start to finish with a solid white ash that holds for a third at a time. The draw was easy and enjoyable but not loose if that makes sense.
The Finish: 50 Years ago today that cigar company that set the standard was born. Arriving to the United States with nothing, Jose Padron has built an empire. A delicious cigar that is simply described as a Padron leaves you wanting to light another. Box worthy to stay the least, the excellence continues with the latest Family Reserve.
Score: 94
Price: $25.00
Padron Family Reserve 50 Years
Padron Family Reserve 50 Years Foot
Padron Family Reserve 50 Years Burn
Padron Family Reserve 50 Years Nub
