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History of the Brand: Padron is a renowned cigar brand with a rich history dating back to 1964 when Jose Orlando Padron established the company. From its humble beginnings, Padron has grown into one of the most respected names in the cigar industry, known for producing top-quality, handcrafted cigars. The Family Reserve series was introduced in 2009 to commemorate the Padron family’s 50 years in the cigar business, and the 50th Anniversary Maduro is a pinnacle of their dedication to excellence.
Vitola Specifications:
- Name: Padron Family Reserve 50th Anniversary Maduro
- Vitola: Toro
- Length: 6 inches
- Ring Gauge: 52
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Nicaraguan
This vitola comes in a box of 10, the box date is in the box along with 10 gorgeous chocolate sticks waiting to be smoked. The tobacco is already heavily aged and this here is the maduro which is the more full bodied of the two. However, I find the natural version of this cigar to be more peppery and not as smooth overall. I picked this box up from Famous Smoke Shop.
Pre light: I get the typical barnyard smell of Padron maduros, along with chocolate, leather and a heavy dose of cedar.
First Third: Upon lighting, the Padron Family Reserve 50th Anniversary Maduro hits you with a pepper bomb. Retrohaling is near impossible. The initial draw offers a burst of dark cocoa and espresso notes, accompanied by a subtle hint of dried fruits and a heavy blast of pepper. After the first five minutes the first third transitions more smoothly into creamy dark chocolate and espresso with a slight sweetness on the retrohale. The flavor then trends to a slight coconut and hay undertone that is slight. This subtle flavor starts to come through as the main protagonist as the final third ends, it reminds me of a coconut toast with some honey and cashews. The retro hale has mellowed completely to have nice creamy chocolate and leather tones. Little to no cedar and espresso is present. It reminds me of dark chocolate melted over coconut toast. The very end of the first third transitions into this coconut hay flavor and weirdly reminds me of sweet egg whites used in desserts or sweetened cocktails. The flavors are rich and velvety, coating the palate with a delightful sweetness. The construction is impeccable, and the ash holds firmly, indicating the cigar’s superb craftsmanship.
Second Third: As the cigar progresses into the second third, the taste profile evolves, transitions away from the coconut nutty and creamy toast and hay flavor back to a smooth milk chocolate and salty molasses. On the particular stick the burn is starting to do some wonky things, which was probably caused by me smoking it too fast, i cant help myself. Strength is starting to get to medium full and I now wished that I would have eaten a bit more before starting this smoking journey. The flavors half way through the second third transitions to peppery dark chocolate with espresso and barnyard undertones . Still has a bit of the coconut hay toast note ever present, although it is dimmed significantly. As the second third ends it has a reminiscent note of a slightly salty Cuban tang with a honey note. Smooth as butter, retrohale with no traces of pepper. The Maduro wrapper imparts a satisfying earthiness to the smoke, adding depth to the overall experience. The draw remains consistent, and the burn line stays even, contributing to a pleasurable smoking session.
Final Third: In the final third, the Padron Family Reserve 50th Anniversary Maduro reaches its crescendo. The flavors intensify, with notes of leather and cedar joining the mix. It transitions into a slightly spicy and minty flavor as the main tones coming through. White pepper starts to appear in retrohale and hard to tell if its mint or white pepper. As we transition to the last part of the final third, there is mint, mint, and more refreshing mint with the quintessential Padron maduro undertones. At the finger burning nub, it transitions into salty Carmel with a strong mint note left on the palate. The complexity of the blend shines through, providing a balanced and refined smoking experience. The smoke remains smooth and creamy and refreshingly minty, leaving a lasting impression on the palate. Most maduro cigars leave a bit of stale, nasty taste in your mouth a few hours after, not this cigar, the mint note cleanses the palate and leaves a refreshing note in your mouth most of the day after smoking.
Food and Drink Pairings: To complement the luxurious and robust flavors of the Padron Family Reserve 50th Anniversary Maduro, consider pairing it with a few selected food and drink options:
- Drink Pairings:
- Aged single malt Scotch whiskey: The smoky and oaky notes of a well-aged Scotch complement the cigar’s richness.
- Dark roast coffee: A strong, aromatic coffee enhances the cigar’s cocoa and espresso undertones.
- A bold red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec: The wine’s fruit-forward and tannic characteristics complement the cigar’s flavors.
- Food Pairings:
- Dark chocolate truffles: The sweetness of the chocolate harmonizes with the cigar’s subtle fruit notes.
- Grilled steak (preferably picanha): The smoky and savory flavors of a perfectly grilled steak pair exceptionally well with the Maduro wrapper.
Score: 95/100 The Padron Family Reserve 50th Anniversary Maduro is a masterpiece of blending and craftsmanship. Its complex flavor profile, impeccable construction, and long-lasting finish make it a true gem among premium cigars. It is quickly becoming my favorite Padron, maybe even better than the family reserve 45 or the 1926 anniversary No.9. While it carries a higher price point, the experience it delivers is well worth the investment for aficionados seeking a memorable and refined smoking experience. This cigar is a testament to Padron’s dedication to producing exceptional cigars and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on even the most discerning palates.
Check availability here and get $20 off for every order of $145 or more!
Free Nub Habano Cigar Sampler on orders over $200 until August 6th