Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Maduro
Sunday, March 7th, 2010
The Padron Anniversary Series have been the flagship of the Florida based company and they are considered some of the finest cigars to be produced outside Cuba. The Padron Family Reserve 45 years is the latest addition in the line of Anniversary and Reserve series. It was produced to commemorate the birth of the Padron cigar company, three years after Jose Orlando Padron left Cuba. seeking a new life in the United States. The cigar was highly anticipated and was finally released on September 8th. A few months later, 45 was crowned Cigar of the Year for 2009 by Cigar Afficionado, and it instantly became one of the hardest cigars to find!
The 45 is produced with the finest Nicaraguan tobacco, with the filler, binder and wrapper having been aged for 10 years. It comes in in two different wrappers, a natural and a dark and toothy maduro- which I will be reviewing today. It is only available in one size (Toro), measuring six inches in length by 52 ring gauge. It comes in boxes of 10 and it retails around $25 on the other side of the pond; in Ireland however we should expect a considerably higher price tag.
Padrons have always been remarkably well constructed and this cigar is no different. Boxed pressed, almost perfectly square, wrapped beautiful oily and toothy maduro wrapper, with hardly any visible veins. The bunch is solid through the whole body of the cigar with no soft spots. The cap is flat and perfectly applied. The prelight draw is normal, slightly leaning towards the loose side.
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Aroma & Bouquet 8 / 10
Strong floral aromas are present on the foot of the cigar, complemented by a peppery scent that tingles your nose.
Burn 15 / 15
The burn of this cigar is remarkable. It lights up easily in a cloud of thick white smoke. The burn is even all the way through and the combustion is good; the cigar burns evenly until the very end without going off. The ash is solid and white in colour and the coal is perfectly shaped.
Draw 13/15
Initially the draw is on the looser side, despite the solid bunch of the cigar. However, after the first third, the draw has slightly more resistance, staying the same until the end. The cigar produces ample, thick smoke.
Flavour 20/25
On the first third the cigar shows good depth and a medium to full body, with strong flavours that seem not yet settled. Cedar and leather with a long sweet finish. Some acidity can also be noted at the start that fortunately does not last for too long.
On the second third the cigar becomes full bodied and the flavours settle down, becoming more balanced. Cedar and leather are still preset, followed by a flavour of damp earth, that results in a finish of bitter chocolate.
On the last third the cigar is still full bodied, so heavy that it can make you sweat! No dramatic changes in the flavours, that are still balanced with a long sweet and nutty finish. Towards the end the cigar gets very hot and bitter.
Summary 17/20
Being the latest of the anniversary series made by the Padrons, the Family Reserve 45 years has created a big hype, especially after being crowned cigar of the year by Cigar Afficionado. The construction is flawless and its draw and burn almost reached perfection. However, the cigar lacks complexity, offering no surprises to the smoker. It starts with a good balance and depth and finishes more or less the same… Interestingly, that is something I found similar to the 1964 and 1926 series when trying to compare notes; the lack of complexity. Good cigar? yes; worth trying? yes; best for 2009? I have had better ones!
TOTAL 87/100
tagged under: Anniversary Series.Jose Padron.Maduro.Nicaraguan.Padron.Reserve Series.Toro
One of the best reviews of a Padron Anniversary series that I have seen online or in print. They are great cigars, my favourite non-Cubans by a long shot (far better than the over-rated Opus X) but still lack the complexity that I’ve come to enjoy so much from Cuban leaf.
That said, the unique taste, perfect construction and great burn can’t be understated. A great option if you’re outdoors.
ouch straight into the heart … well i do not know how the guys rate the number one cigar but it looks like they’re burned down.
i like your courage and transparency , can i ask you a favor, can you profile the don diego anniversario toro for me (if you like to and if you can find some) the reason is i want to see if my palate started to evolve and i started to understand and taste what i am smoking.
cheers
Hi Jack,
I will do that if I manage to get my hands on one. However, bear in mind that very often flavours in cigars are identified differently by different smokers…
got it thank’s pall
VEry interesting review Yiorgos. Honest, well written and captivating.
I still haven’t tried my 45th anyversary sticks, but probably will give it a go next week.
Your description is typical of my feelings on many Padrons….Perfect burn, perfect draw, excellent volume of smoke but often little flavors. I think one reason many of us put up with the often poorly rolled cubans is for that potential for great complex and interesting flavors. Thanks for the review.
dfd
Well, now i’ve smoked the 45 and it only underlined what’s been said in the original review, exactly. Very nice smoke, lacking in complexity. Worth the 25 bucks I paid for them…..not really.
dfd
I thought this was a fantastic review and you did a fantastic job. So many people drool all over Padron cigars without giving them a proper review. This was a proper review. Yes, they are good cigars. Are they worth the price? Not by a long shot. You can get much better Cuban cigars for over HALF the price of these. The Partagas Series D no 4 can be had for $8 a stick if you search around. And the Series D4 is 10 times better of a cigar that is bursting with flavors and complexity. Great review!!
Well said Smithy; however, we have to admit that the Cubans should learn from the quality control of the Padrons… Have you ever come across a plugged or loose Padron? I wont even ask this question about the D4!