Padron 1964 TAA Maduro Toro Cigar Review
The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series, a celebrated line introduced in 1994 to commemorate Padrón’s 30th anniversary, is a benchmark in the cigar world. Among its sixteen sizes, the TAA Toro stands out as an exclusive offering available only to members of The Tobacconists Association of America. Crafted with 4 year aged tobacco, available in a box pressed shape as an homage to the Cuban tradition of rolling cigars.
The Padrón 1964 TAA Maduro Toro presents a smooth, milk chocolate-colored wrapper that immediately evokes thoughts of a decadent bar of chocolate fudge. Its soft box-pressed shape gives it a unique feel, with slight tooth and some visible veins adding to its character.
From the first draw, this cigar asserts itself with a spicy black pepper kick, setting the stage for a robust smoking experience. The flavor profile quickly unfolds, revealing deep cedar wood notes and rich leather undertones. The draw is wide open, making for an effortless smoke, while hints of cocoa powder add a layer of sweetness. A subtle jalapeño spice on the retrohale reminds you that this cigar means business, demanding your attention from the outset.
As you progress, the cayenne pepper spice mellows, allowing the emergence of salted chocolate notes that are both indulgent and balanced. Nuttiness begins to shine through with distinct flavors of almonds and cashews, complementing the continued presence of leather. The wood notes evolve from cedar to a more charred BBQ flavor, introducing a smoky depth, while a touch of citrus tanginess adds a refreshing contrast.
In the final third, the strength and spice intensify, with cayenne and jalapeño notes making a bold comeback as the ligero tobacco inside takes center stage. The nuttiness becomes more pronounced with cashew flavors standing out, and the chocolate sweetness persists, now accompanied by a hint of caramel. The charred wood notes soften but remain in the background, adding complexity to the finish.
The Padrón 1964 TAA Maduro Toro is an excellent cigar that delivers a hearty, full-flavored smoking experience. Its journey through a complex array of flavors—spice, sweetness, nuttiness, and wood—feels akin to a well-crafted meal, offering balance even with its bold spice notes. The draw is consistently great, and the burn line is “as clean as Mr. J’s noggin”. This is a cigar that keeps you engaged, making it a worthy addition to any aficionado’s rotation. Just be sure to set aside time to truly savor its roller coaster of flavors.
Overall Score: 90.38 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 6.45 out of 10
This blind review (Cigar #14-A) was conducted by the Cigar Review Team comprising of: Paul Nabs, Scott Treptow, Scuse, Joe Hallett, Chris LeBoner, Chris Safranski, Brett Yannalfo., Drew Seruya, Rob, Stephen Marks, Tom Coleman, Kenny, Dan Johnson, Josh Wright & Lesley Corn
