Padron Damaso No. 17 Cigar Review

One of the most anticipated releases from 2015 IPCPR trade show in New Orleans was the Padron Damaso and since its release it has been among the most polarizing cigar amongst aficionados. Bloggers have rated the cigar from the mid 80’s to the low 90s which would be welcomed for any line, but this is Padron and the standard of excellence is higher.

Now that the cigars have been out for a few months I put aside some sticks of the No. 17 to see how they would do with a bit more age versus the No. 15 we reviewed when they first arrived. But fear not, we have some of the No. 15 set aside as well for a review at the end of the year.

Cigar Review: Padron Damaso
Size: 7 x 54 (No. 17)
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Mild

The Look: The band of the Padron Damaso sits higher than the other sizes in the line and features the colors of mahogany, white and gold. There are three bands in play with the primary baring the Padron name, a secondary to deter counterfeiting and a third denoting Damaso. As for the cigar, the blond looking wrapper has some visible oils and thin veins. The cigar is flawlessly rolled and has a nice weight to it and is firm to the touch.

The Notes: The cold draw on the Damaso by Padron offers up and abundance of cedar, and buttery richness. Having had Quiche for dinner the other night, the cold draw brings me back to that meal with similarities in taste. The aroma of the foot had subtle cedar notes and more buttery richness.

The first third of the Padron Damaso has some vegetal notes that remind me of carrots along with some wood notes that switch from pine and cedar. There is a subtle sweetness like raw sugar cane, and I am thinking the cigar would pair well with a nice Caipirinha which is the national drink of Brazil.

The second third sees the carrot like notes begin to fade rich buttery notes begin to take control of the palate. There is still some pine and cedar present and a wonderful aroma that is reminiscent of sunflower seeds.

Just before the second third ended some peanut notes began to emerge and by the time we entered the final third of the cigar they were the dominant flavor profile with cedar in the background and a smooth buttery finish with just a hint of pepper on the retrohale.

The Burn: The Padron Damaso won’t win any awards for its burn as it is uneven, and at times borders on warranting a touch up, but I worked my way through it with reaching for my light. The thicker combustion line reveals a salt and pepper as that is firm and held nearly for the first half of the cigar before landing at my feet. The draw of the cigar was perfect and it remained lit from first light to last puff.

The Finish: The first time I smoked a Padron Damaso I was less than impressed. However, once I began to look at the cigar for what it was, a mild Connecticut the cigar grew on me where it has become a cigar that I enjoy on a semi regular basis. The key to the Damaso is the mindset, its not an Anniversario. The cigar provides a mild smoking experience with nice flavors and construction worthy of the Padron name.

Score: 90
Price: $17.50 @ Two Guys Smoke Shop

Bullet Point

• I’ll be the first person to admit the Padron Damaso wasn’t what I expected; but the cigar has grown on me where it is becoming a favorite in the mild category.
• The Damaso was named for the grandfather of Jose O Padron , who was the first Padrón to arrive in Cuba sometime in the late 1800’s from the Canary Islands.
• The larger sizes of the Padron Damaso have been my preference, despite the fact that usually prefer the exact opposite.
• If you go into the Damaso thinking 1964 or 1926; then you will be disappointed. This is a cigar that is very different from what Padron has created over the years.
• I paired the cigar with water.
• Smoking Time was 2 hours.