Padrón Family Reserve No 50 Natural

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Robusto: 5 x 54 (Box Press)
Price: $25.00

This cigar was assessed in depth on Cigar Coop.

The Padrón Family Reserve No. 50 joins the Padrón 50 Years – The Hammer as two new lines introduced by Padrón Cigars to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the company.

The Padrón Family Reserve Series was introduced in 2008 with the Padrón Family Reserve No. 44 – commemorating the company’s 44th anniversary. It had been anticipated a subsequent release would take place each year – with a different blend and size. This held to form for the next three years as the Family Reserve No. 45 was introduced in 2009, and the Family Reserve No. 46 in 2010. While there was a 2011 release, instead of calling it the No. 47, it was called the Family Reserve No. 85 to honor Jose O Padrón’s 85th birthday. The series had been hiatus since then as the company prepared for the 50th anniversary.

I found this to deliver notes of black pepper, natural tobacco, and a unique sweetness that was a cross between honey and cherry. As the cigar moved through the second half, a more cedar profile took hold – delivering both sweet and spice notes. I found this to be a medium strength, medium-bodied cigar. The construction was excellent.

This is a cigar that scores well in terms of flavor, construction, and complexity. The problem is that it is up against some very good competition within its own brand and I’d probably reach for some other Family Reserve releases first. While not a young cigar, I do think there is some aging potential with this cigar to smoke even better. My experience is that age has been kind to cigars like the Family Reserve No. 46 and Family Reserve No. 85 cigars, and my gut tells me the No. 50 Natural could fall into this category. Therefore I’m content to say this is a cigar that smokes well now, and has all of the potential to smoke better down the road.

Right now this is a fiver.