Background

Padron is often considered one of he most consistent brands of cigars in both construction and blend. Padron offers four series of cigars sold in the USA, all of which, are Nicaraguan Puro’s. There is the Padron Series, the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series, the 1926 Serie, and the Family Reserva (which is released once a year). For this review, I chose the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series with the Maduro wrapper. The following information was taken from the Padron Website about the line.

The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series line was introduced in 1994 to commemorate our company’s 30th anniversary.  This line consists of ten sizes that are all available in sun-grown natural and maduro wrappers.  All tobacco used in this limited production series is aged for four years, creating a smooth and complex flavor.  In honor of the age-old Cuban tradition of box-pressing cigars, the 1964 Anniversary line was introduced as a box-pressed series.

Today is a beautiful sunny Autumn afternoon here in the Northeast. With the temperature approaching the highest it has been in the last few weeks, I decided to reach for one of my favorite sizes from this series, the Exclusivo. Lets get to smoking!

Stogie Stats

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Robusto (Box-Pressed)
Size: 5 1/2 x 50
Age: About 1 Year in my Humidor
MSRP: About $12.00

Review

The Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Exclusivo is a work of art. Visually, the cigar appears to be constructed perfectly. The color of the wrapper is a rich chocolate brown and is evenly distributed throughout the stick. To the touch, the wrapper feels very dry and the cigar is firm with no soft spots. The pre-light draw is open and full of rich coffee and chocolate flavors.

After toasting the the foot, the initial draw greets me with semi-sweet chocolate, coffee, earth, and some pepper. The flavors are smooth and balanced with no one flavor dominating the others. The finish is dry and toasty and I am glad I opted to pair this stick with a glass of ice water. Even with the extra year in my humidor, I can still feel the strength of this cigar. Consequently, I question if I should have waited until after dinner. The burn is slightly jagged and the salt and pepper colored ash only holds for about 1/2 inch before falling. The draw does not disappoint. Large clouds of smoke surround me on every pull.

I detect the addition of some leather at the beginning of second third. The burn and draw continue as before but the ash is holding better now (about an inch). The strength is still kicking my ass but I am determined to enjoy the weather and what this stogie has to offer. I persevere and begin taking more time between draws to counter the strength and the dryness on the palate. The flavors are absolutely delectable.

At the start of the last third, there is a lot of creaminess to the finish and a hint of roasted nuts mixed with the other flavors. The leather is completely gone now. The ash continues to hold for about an inch. This is no doubt the best part of this cigar! I am really enjoying the creaminess on the palate and the addition of the roasted nuts. The strength does not seem to be affecting me as much and I finally nub this bad boy in about one hour and twenty minutes. The nub is firm, cool, and delicious.

Conclusion

The Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Exclusivo Maduro has been a staple in my humidor for some time now. I always keep some set aside for that special occasion or when the moment feels right. With MSRP of over $12.00, it may be too pricey for an everyday smoke but I fully recommend you give them a try. My one suggestion would be to wait under after dinner or a large meal (think Thanksgiving folks). I had forgotten how much strength this stick can carry. None the less, I will give the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Exclusivo Maduro a Stogie Geeks Rating of 4 – Box Worthy. Keep a box on hand for those occasions where you want an extremely well constructed and balanced cigar. The purchase will provide you with many enjoyable moments for months and years to come.