This week I have been trying to reignite my palate by smoking some cigar brands that take me back to the days my passion of the leaf began. One of those cigars was my first every day cigar. The Padron 2000 which was my cigar 90% of the time while sitting at a small cigar cafe in Brooklyn, NY watching the Yankees or a movie.
Cigar Review: Padron Thousand Series
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Natural Sun Grown)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Vitola: Robusto (2000)
The Look: The Padron Series won’t win a beauty contest thats for sure as it looks ugly to the naked eye. The classic brown and white band has a Cuban like feel to it, and this soft box pressed cigar is an icon of the industry. There are minimal oils visible on the wrapper and the cigar is well packed with an average weight.
The Notes: The Padron 2000 Natural when cut has a cold draw of molasses, fig and raisins. There is a little bit of each going on, and in fact it reminds me very much of a Fig Newton. The nose off the foot of the cigar mimics that of the cold draw and both are enticing to say the least. Once the cigar is lit, there is a bit of spice that suppresses the sweetness experienced before bringing flame to the cigar.
As we smoke into the first third of the cigar, and the spice of the initial light begins to pull back the sweetness emerges from the cold draw. About 1/4 of an inch in some raisin notes develop before being joined by caramel notes. As the first third comes to the close some wood joins the mix.
As we progress through the second third of the Padron 2000 the wood becomes more dominant with a mix of nuts and some pepper is introduced back into the fold with a touch of raisin on the finish.
Entering the last third of the Padron 2000, the sweetness of the cold draw is engaged in a battle with wood notes as two fight for dominance with the sweetness winning out on the finish. Caramel, raisins and a hint of fig dance on the palate and linger just long enough to reach satisfaction.
The Finish: As I mentioned earlier Padron played a big part in my becoming a cigar passionado. It was priced right, with a great profile. Back in the day, it was $4.00 a stick, and $20.00 would get me through the day. In fact this cigar was just what the doctor ordered, because I am starting to feel that fire again.
Score: 91
Price: $5.80 Single / $149.99 Box of 26
Padron 2000 Natura Burn
