I was putting together some show notes for The Cigar Authority Podcast this weekend when I scribbled down the Padron 1926 80 Years Maduro. I got to thinking it’s been a long time since I smoked one of these cigars so I opted to fire one up. The perfecto Padron cigar is made with some of the oldest tobacco the company owns and it is made by only one buncher and one roller who are limited to a total of 300 cigars per day.
Cigar: Padron 80 Years
Size: 6.75 x 54 (Box-Pressed Perfecto)
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Source: Two Guys Smoke Shop
The Look: The dark maduro wrapper has a fair amount of oils visible with some veins and is flawlessly rolled and box pressed. The cigar utilizes two bands one being the classic Serie 1926 and the second denoting 80 Years. In the hand the cigar is firm with no soft spots and the wrapper feels gritty under the fingers with some significant magnesium bumps. These are bumps on the wrapper that look like goose pimples and for me the sign of something outstanding to come.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Padron Serie 1926 Maduro has a sweetness that reminds me of the marshmallows in a box of Lucky Charms and some hints of cocoa. The aroma off the wrapper is sweet and mocha like.
Once the cigar is lit the Padron the initial notes are coffee and as we progress further into this benchmark cigar it is joined by notes of warm chocolate. Once we retrohale the cigar there is a subtle nuttiness and cedar on the smooth finish.
In the second third of the Padron it’s easy to realize that this cigar offers a level of smoothness and balance that few cigars can offer. The warm chocolate notes transition into a dark chocolate with some added coffee and nuts. The retrohale of the cigar adds a subtle leather characteristic that adds to the length of the finish.
The last third sees the leather notes become dominant with a lingering coffee finish. As the cigar comes to a close the sweetness occasionally shows itself with a continued nuttiness on the retrohale of the cigar with a long smooth finish.
The Finish: There are a lot of great cigars put out by the Padron family, but one of the best is the 80 Years. The iconic shape, and presentation makes this an instantly recognizable cigar. It’s pricey but one of those cigars that are worth every penny. Lately I’ve been on an ultra premium kick thanks to the Atabey Spiritus I smoked a week ago, and my wallet is beginning to feel the hit, but sometimes you just need to step up your game a notch.
Score: 94
Price: $32.10 / 255.99
Padron Serie 1926 80 Years Burn
