Vitola: No. 90- 5.5” x 50 ring gauge
- $24.99
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
Confession time: I have never smoked a Padron 1926 Serie with a Natural wrapper. I have had plenty of 1926 Maduros. I have smoked both the Padron Series (1000s) and 1964 Anniversary Series in Natural wrapper…but never a 1926 in Natural. It comes down to this: in the Padron Series and 1964 Series, I have preferred the Maduro version every single time; that being the case, and knowing that I like the 1926 Maduro more than the 1964 or Padron Series Maduros, AND knowing that the 1926 is much more expensive, why would I spend my money on something that I’m likely to enjoy less?
At some point, though, I had to break down and try it. When these came in to Burns last week, and the boss declared it to be the “best 1926 I’ve ever had” (he prefers Naturals to Maduros), I figured it would be a good time to go for it…even if he wasn’t willing to pay the tab in this case.
What we have here is something unique in the Padron line-up. While the 1926 Serie blend is well-established, the No. 90 presents two twists on it. First, it is not box-pressed. Practically every Padron has been box-pressed up until now, with the notable exception of the Damaso, which can’t be box-pressed because it has a Connecticut Shade wrapper. But this cigar has the traditional round format. Also a first is the Tubo packaging it comes in…a first because box-pressed cigars don’t fit well into round tubes.
The 1926 Serie is made up of Padron’s Nicaraguan filler and binder, along with a choice of either Natural (Nicaraguan) or Maduro (questionable and highly debatable origins) wrapper leaves. The No. 90 size is meant to commemorate the 90th birthday of brand founder and patriarch, Jose Orlando Padron. I’m hoping to follow up with a look at the Maduro soon…but they haven’t showed up at the shop as of this writing.
Prelight
The 10-count boxes of light-cream-colored tubes do indeed look fantastic. I’m not a “tubo guy” in general, but when done right, I have to admit they give a richer appearance. These tubes have the Padron logo type at the top, with “No. 90” just beneath. The bottom half of the tube has Jose O. Padron’s signature rendered in gold, along with the little hammer silhouette. In very small type at the bottom of the tube, it says “Natural.” Also of fairly big importance, because I think it’s the first time it’s happened, the back of the tube has a barcode…yes, I believe this is the first time Padron has ever barcoded a cigar before it’s left the factory. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
And brace yourself…the hits keep coming when you open the tube…this Padron 1926 Serie actually ships in cellophane. Why they are using cellophane inside a tubo is a little mystifying…I think it’s the first time I’ve seen that happen…but still…a Padron 1926 in cellophane. Getting beyond the packaging the cigar itself looks pretty much like every other 1926 Natural you’ve seen, except it’s round. The wrapper leaf was a toasted caramel color with a minimal amount of veining and mottling visible on it, but a decent amount of oils under the fingertips. Bringing the cigar to my nose, I got notes of rich aged tobacco, earth, and cedar. The foot had a slightly barnyard note, with extra earthiness and a slightly sweet undercurrent to the aroma.
I clipped the cap with my normal straight cut with my favorite Xikar Xi cutter. The cold draw was excellent and tasted of cedar, earth and natural tobacco, with a little pepper coming through on the lips and tongue 15 or 20 seconds after I tried the cold draw.
Flavor
The Padron No. 90 Natural started off with loads of natural tobacco goodness, backed up with a tangy cedar note and a touch of red pepper on the palate. The retrohale burned intensely with red pepper, though it didn’t linger long. It found the smoke to be strictly medium in body in these early stages, but much tastier than I had anticipated. When my only exposure to Padron Naturals previously was with the Padron Series and 1964 Anniversary Series, it was hard to know what to expect, but it wasn’t this. After a few minutes a bit of a caramel sweetness emerged on the palate, too…just very light and subtle.
As I cruised into the second third, the Padron No. 90 was mostly mellow and smooth, with a very pleasing natural tobacco taste, accentuated by notes of cedar and black pepper. There was a touch of natural sweetness in the mix that really helped the balance throughout.
After really enjoying the first two third, the final third of the cigar was a little disappointing. It wasn’t bad, just kind of bland. There was more mellow natural tobacco while the sweetness ebbed away. The cedar and black pepper notes died off quite a bit, too.
Construction
I had an almost perfectly even burn line, great draw and very solid ash throughout.
Value
For my money, I’d get a much better experience with a Maduro. It’s not a cigar I would refuse, but I’d rather spend my own money elsewhere.
Conclusions
The Padron 1926 Serie No. 90 Natural was a good smoke, but for me it didn’t stand up to the mid-$20 price tag. It’s hard to really dis on a Padron, but this experience for me just put the final nail in the “Natural” coffin for me…I would just rather smoke the 1926 Maduro, which is worth every penny. That all said, this might very well be the best 1926 Natural and if Natural Padrons are what you like, then you should smoke this one. If you’re like me, stick with the Maduro version.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: .5/1
Total: 8/10
