Padron 1964 Serie Maduro
I'm eventually going to work my way through the Padrón lineup. I've had some of the 1926 and Black line, but this is my first of the 1964 with the Belicoso.
BRAND / CO: Padrón
CIGAR: 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro
VITOLA: Belicoso (Box Press) - 5" x 52
STRENGTH: Full
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Sun Grown Habano, Maduro (Aged 4-Yrs)
BINDER: Nicaragua (Aged 4-Yrs)
FILLER: Nicaragua (Aged 4-Yrs)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua, Tabacos Cubanica S.A.
APPEARANCE & CONSTRUCTION: Average
Much like every other Padrón I've had, this has a rustic vibe. Even with the tight box press, it's lumpy, you can see the veins pressed in, and there's some lift at the seams. It's not unattractive, they just look old fashioned? Or at least they accentuate the old school handmade vibe. But it's a rich dark chocolate brown with some oily sheen and tooth. There's a little bit of wrapper sticking out from under the cap but it shouldn't affect the burn. I do feel that piece poking me in the lip which is annoying but the entire cap wants to come off if I pull on it, so it'll stay right where it's at.
DRAW & BURN: Good / Great
The draw has good resistance and the burn starts nice and clean. The ash is a light gray with very dark striations with a nice smattering of oil crystals mixed in. The burn line is even, but just slightly wavy. The ash holds to just about the midway point
FLAVOR PROFILE: Excellent
Mmmm... Rich chocolate and cinnamon to start with a nice cherry sweetness. Then a medium pepper comes in, tingling the senses with charred wood, earth and leather. If you wanted to describe a textbook Nicaraguan puro profile, this is it. Coffee, nuts and a light grassiness bring some extra flavor. We're just getting into it and this is creating a nice and complex profile. Even though this is a full strength cigar, it's not hitting nearly as hard as the 1926 or Black series do. It's all wrapped up in a smooth, thick and creamy finish.
With the second half, the dark chocolate and baking cocoa is just driving. That makes it naturally a little chalky, a little bitter, and the rich sweetness has pulled back a giving the earth and leather more room to shine. There's some minor barnyard that's appeared as the pepper pulls back. It's like a fantastic Mexican mole sauce. Thick, rich, flavorful but smooth. This is really a delightful blend that is both complex and inviting.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Excellent
For being full bodied, this is a very approachable cigar. The Belicoso vitola smokes beautifully and is just the right size to give you all the flavor before any nicotine can sneak up on you. And while this is still on the higher end of your cigar prices, it's not so expensive to be cost prohibitive. Another fantastic Padron.
Purchase Singles of by the Box HERE
Reviewed By Sean McCloskey of The Collective