This weekend on The Cigar Authority we are going to discuss cigars and their place in celebration at sport events. Yesterday, that place was solidified when the New England Patriots mounted the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, or perhaps it was the greatest collapse by the Atlanta Falcons. After the game, Robert Kraft was seen in the locker room handing out the cigar we are reviewing today.
Cigar: Padron Aniversario 1964 Series
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: Imperial
The Look: If you smoke cigars, and chances are you do since you are reading this you know what Padron looks like. It is the benchmark for all things box pressed. Packaged in 26 count boxes, the Padron Aniversario Maduro wrapper is toothy and feels like fine sandpaper under the fingers. Its firm to the touch with no soft spots, and has a hefty weight to it.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar has a subtle sweetness to it, much like plum. There is also some leather and earthy components to the stick, while the foot of the cigar serves up some hints of coffee and cedar.
The first third of the cigar continues with some leather and earth and a faint chocolate note develops as I work further into cigar with a hint of coffee on the finish.
As we enter the second third the coffee notes really begin to take hold with and underlying sweetness and some leather thrown into the mix. As the second third comes to a close some chocolate notes begin to develop in earnest.
The last third of the Padron picks up in strength as do the notes of leather and coffee with a short finish.
The Finish: The Padron Aniversario Imperial Maduro is a championship quality cigar. The flavors are properly inflated, and the cigar is as balanced as the Patriots roster. I won’t call the cigar the greatest of all time, but there is no doubt that Tom Brady is the best QB to ever play the game.
Score: 94
Price: $$15.70 / $381.99
